Just in case, it might be a good idea for some users on here to get encrypted. For my external and local harddrives I use Truecrypt:
http://www.truecrypt.org/downloadshttp://www.truecrypt.org/docs/
For IMs, if you have pidgin use pidgin off the record:
http://www.cypherpunks.ca/otr/
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Also, remember that you should always set a BIOS, boot, and hard drive password if possible.
Do you encrypt your whole HDD with truecrypt? Also, are there any noticeable performance impacts that go with this?
I only use TC for making a encrypted container, never done a whole disk encrypt. My laptop on the other hand, has PGP whole disk encryption.
Nah I just made a volume on my HD for illegal stuff. My external HD is completely encrypted though.