täyslevynsalaus

Täyslevynsalaus, known in English as full disk encryption (FDE), is a security technology that encrypts the entire storage medium of a device, such as a hard drive or solid-state drive. This ensures that all data stored on the disk, including the operating system, applications, and user files, is unreadable without the correct decryption key. The encryption process scrambles the data using an algorithm, and decryption requires a password or a specific hardware key to unlock it.

When a device with FDE is powered off, all data on the disk is encrypted. Upon booting, the user is typically prompted to enter their password or provide the decryption key. If the correct credentials are provided, the system decrypts the necessary portions of the disk in real-time as they are accessed. This process is generally transparent to the user during normal operation, with minimal impact on performance.

The primary benefit of täyslevynsalaus is protection against data theft or unauthorized access if the device is lost or stolen. Without the decryption key, any sensitive information stored on the disk remains inaccessible. It is a crucial security measure for laptops, mobile devices, and any system containing confidential data. Common implementations include BitLocker on Windows, FileVault on macOS, and dm-crypt/LUKS on Linux.