Mac users to get PGP whole-disk encryption
PGP is planning to release a version of its whole disk encryption software for Apple Macintosh computers running OS X.
Jon Callas, PGP's chief technology officer, told ZDNet.com.au sister site CNET news.com on Monday that the software is "in active development" and will run on Intel-based Macs. However, Callas didn't want to elaborate on a shipping date.
This promises to be a boon for OS X users, especially laptop users who are more likely to lose their machines. Currently, there's no way for OS X users to encrypt their entire boot disks. OS X already features FileVault, but that focuses on encrypting the user's home directory. Without whole-disk encryption, Unix-derived systems including OS X store in unencrypted form details about VPN usage, login times, and what applications are installed in the default location. Some applications including Thunderbird save working copies of documents in an unencrypted area outside the home directory.
