The newly implemented 256-bit Full Disk Encryption provides additional security on a hardware basis.

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The researchers tested their attack against a Samsung Galaxy Nexus handset as it was one of the first to use Android's disk encryption system.

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On the other hand, there is no shortage of third-party software that enable policy-based disk encryption on iPhones and iPads (including, full disclosure, the market-leading Afaria software offered by my employer, Sybase).

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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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Secure storage devices with on-board encryption are available from many vendors today, including all hard disk manufacturers (Seagate Technology, Western Digital and Toshiba) as well as major SSD manufacturers such as Intel, Micron, and Samsung.

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Mr Scarfo used an encryption program to scramble his computer files so that when the FBI gained access to his hard disk in January 1999, it was unable to unscramble them without the password.

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