Forums Community Axcrpyt and Windows hibernation security vulnerability

This topic contains 8 replies, has 1 voice, and was last updated by  Paula 4 days, 13 hours ago.

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  • #38166 Reply

    Dale

    When a user hibernates Windows, all memory contents are copied to the hard drive.  If encryption software such as Axcrypt is running when they do this, any passwords or keys in memory will also be written to the hard drive, allowing a hacker with physical access to the computer to retrieve those keys from the hard drive and decrypt all the user’s files encrypted with them.

    Does Axcrypt take any steps to resolve this security issue (eg. zeroing out memory allocated to the application on closing)?

     

     

     

     

    #38189 Reply

    Dale

    Admins please have an Axcrypt technician/developer respond to this question.  It is a major potential security issue and users need to know.

    #38698 Reply

    Marvin

    Dale,

    AxCrypt destroys the encryption keys once it gets locked out. Whenever you restart your/ sign out of AxCrypt or lock your desktop environment or put your computer to sleep/hibernate or your screensaver starts then AxCrypt clears your encryption keys. But, in case if you have decrypted a file for viewing or any update and forget to re-encrypt it before performing actions like hibernation, it may get exposed. It is better that you take care of decrypted files and encrypt them safely back.

    #40519 Reply

    Timothy324

    This is a crucial security concern—Axcrypt addressing it would significantly enhance user safety! retro bowl college

    #40918 Reply

    jjosh

    Great insights on the Axcrypt and Windows hibernation security vulnerability! It’s crucial to ensure sensitive files are protected, especially when devices are in hibernation mode. For those managing large amounts of data securely, reliable storage solutions can make all the difference. Thanks for shedding light on this important topic!

    #40920 Reply

    Anonymous

    Great insight into the potential security risks of hibernation with encryption software like AxCrypt. Addressing memory handling during app closure is crucial for safeguarding sensitive data. It’s also worth considering secure storage practices to minimize vulnerabilities. Thanks for highlighting this important topic!

    #40921 Reply

    muhammed bilal

    Great insight into the potential security risks of hibernation with encryption software like AxCrypt. Addressing memory handling during app closure is crucial for safeguarding sensitive data. It’s also worth considering secure storage practices to minimize vulnerabilities. Thanks for highlighting this important topic!

    #40922 Reply

    Anonymous

    <p>Great post! It’s a crucial issue to consider, especially for users who rely on encryption software like Axcrypt. The potential risk of leaving sensitive keys in memory during hibernation is something that many might overlook. It would be interesting to see if Axcrypt has implemented any memory-wiping mechanisms to address this concern. On a related note, for those looking to bolster their system’s overall security, using reliable antivirus software like Smadav can help protect against other potential threats. Thanks for shedding light on this important topic!</p>

    #41281 Reply

    Paula

    AxCrypt uses safeguards to protect the encryption key. This helps prevent hackers from stealing the key slope and using it to decrypt the user’s files.

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