Many observers have suggested defensive techniques that deploy TrueCrypt disk encryption with hidden volume partitions or PGP Whole Disk Encryption rendering the entire computer unbootable thereby making even file time and date stamps unavailable.

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The entire fruit fly genome is already available on digital disk for reference.

BBC: Zebrafish genome next

Javier Rebolledo, author of a book about human rights violations carried out by the secret police under military rule, had his computer hard disk stolen and Cristobal Pena, who wrote a political thriller set in the Pinochet era, had his entire computer stolen, Mr Weibel told Chilean radio.

BBC: Chile journalist denounces military rule research theft