Zeit Online recently leaked documents indicating that the German Ministry of Economic Affairs is concerned about the Trusted Platform Module technology built into Microsoft Windows 8. Although this technology has been around since 2006, concerns surrounding the latest version include the possibility of that Microsoft can control computers and tablets. remotely and that there is no override. The German Federal Office for Information Security also issued a press release expressing concern about the loss of control over the Windows operating system and hardware when using Windows 8 and Trusted Platform Module technology.

While it’s hard to imagine Microsoft conspiring to control individual PCs remotely, it’s not hard to imagine spyware developers and cybercriminals looking for ways to exploit Trusted Platform Module technology and Windows 8. Full disk encryption software may offer some Protection against malicious attacks. If your computers contain sensitive information, as most do, adding full disk encryption software to your system makes the contents of your hard drive unreadable to unauthorized users.

Full disk and laptop encryption are essential security tools that allow authorized users to access and use the contents of their hard drives after “unlocking” the software. However, if the computer falls into the wrong hands or is remotely hacked, those contents become indecipherable.

When choosing full disk encryption software, it’s important to balance security with ease of use, without sacrificing security. If laptop encryption software is difficult to use or negatively affects performance, for example, users may disable the software out of frustration. When this happens, the hard drive is once again vulnerable to data loss.

Another consideration involves when authentication takes place. In some cases, operating systems protected by full disk encryption software are vulnerable to hacking and data theft during the pre-boot phase. This is before the software is loaded and actively protects the drive. This is similar to a burglar breaking into a bank vault before the banker has had a chance to secure the vault door. It doesn’t matter how secure the vault would have been if the door had been closed and locked if the vault door was open and unlocked for a period of time. Hackers seek out and exploit windows of opportunity.

With pre-boot authentication, the hard drive is locked from unauthorized access during the pre-boot process, which is often vulnerable. Depending on the type of full disk encryption software you invest in, you can unlock your hard drive using a password, a fingerprint reader, smart cards, USB tokens, or a combination of factors.

Fortunately, full disk encryption software is available that is easy to use and completely secure during the pre-boot phase. For example, Winmagic offers various encryption solutions for enterprise networks, small business networks, and individual computers. Its SecureDoc for Windows, which offers support for select Windows 8 computers, offers enterprise-class security for individual computers. In addition to protecting your hard drive from prying eyes, it also offers encryption for removable media such as USB thumb drives.

Whether you’re concerned about the Trusted Platform Module in Windows 8 or information security in general, investing in full disk encryption software is a smart choice.