Consider your data security needs before deciding.
Consider your data security needs before deciding.
Hi, I’m wondering if you should upgrade to Windows 10 Pro and encrypt your drive or just use BitLocker on Windows 8.1. I’m just 13 years old and spend time on YouTube, games, browsing, schoolwork, and saving passwords for social media and important emails. I want to keep my data private for my family and others. Also, if I encrypt my drive, will it slow things down? My 1TB Seagate SSD is used for caching services like Chrome, and I’m curious if performance will stay the same.
It takes a long time and it hurts a lot when you're trying to get back your data.
Secure the PC with a password and create a separate family account that can’t view your files. You don’t need to encrypt the entire system.
It doesn’t make sense to encrypt unless you have valuable data. Only skilled attackers could breach a strong password. If your information isn’t worth much, hackers won’t bother. Encryption may slightly slow things down, but it’s usually barely noticeable. If you really need stronger protection, consider switching to Windows 10—it offers better security and more support.
A strong Windows password effectively blocks most hackers from accessing your device. Full disk encryption isn't ideal for HDDs, though it works better on SSDs that include built-in AES encryption. It's best reserved for situations where the NSA is attempting a brute-force attack.
Strictly speaking, anyone with physical access to your PC can obtain your data (provided it's unencrypted). That fact remains unchanged. For maximum protection, you should encrypt your data or store it remotely on the moon. However, I wouldn't suggest encryption; it adds unnecessary complexity and risk compared to your situation. Sure, physical access is possible, but how much motivation, time, and expertise do they possess? If any of those are missing, it's unlikely they'll succeed.