Disk encryption is not something most personal computer users think of when they consider ways to boost the security profile of their computer. A firewall? Yes, that in the minds of most is what computer security is all about. However, a firewall is a network security tool, and it is useless if your computer is lost or stolen. That is when disk encryption comes into play. And if you truly care about guarding access to your data, encrypting the hard drive holding it is just as important as a firewall.

So, how does encrypting a hard drive, protect your data?