Is Your Data Safe on the Amazon Cloud Drive?

Now that you've learned about Amazon's stance on privacy here's there promise for the security of your files and information. Fasten your seat belt. This is what the Amazon Terms of Service agreement has to say about security:

5.3 Security. We do not guarantee that Your Files will not be subject to misappropriation, loss or damage and we will not be liable if they are. You're responsible for maintaining appropriate security, protection and backup of Your Files.

There you have it. A blanket promise that says anything goes when it comes to the security of your data. Or in other words, there is no guarantee of security given or implied.

So the question becomes, what can you do to protect your data from prying eyes and thieves?

There is one thing you can do to secure your data. Use data encryption software. There are a number of different options for you. Here is one that is FREE: TrueCrypt.

TrueCrypt is a data encryption software that allows you protect your data from prying eyes. Here is a description from the TrueCrypt Foundation:

Protect your sensitive data with this free open-source disk encryption software. Creates a virtual encrypted disk within a file and mount it as a real disk. Encrypt an entire hard disk partition or a device, such as USB flash drive. Automatically and transparently encrypt in real time.
TrueCrypt provides two levels of plausible deniability, in case an adversary forces you to reveal the password: a hidden volume (steganography- more information may be found here); no TrueCrypt volume can be identified (volumes cannot be distinguished from random data). TrueCrypt uses encryption algorithms AES-256, Blowfish (448-bit key), CAST5, Serpent, Triple DES, and Twofish. It is based on Encryption for the Masses (E4M) 2.02a, conceived in 1997.
What's new in this version:
Hardware-accelerated AES (for more information, see the chapter Hardware Acceleration). Note: If you want to disable hardware acceleration, select Settings > Performance and disable the option 'Accelerate AES encryption/decryption by using the AES instructions of the processor'.
A volume can now be configured to be automatically mounted whenever its host device gets connected to the computer (provided that the correct password and/or keyfiles are supplied).

For more information or to download TrueCrypt you can go to CNET.

TrueCrypt from CNET