BitLocker

What Does BitLocker Mean?

BitLocker is a computer hard drive encryption and security program released by Microsoft Corporation as a native application in its Windows 7 Enterprise and Ultimate editions, Windows Vista Enterprise and Ultimate, and Windows Server 2008, R2 and 2012 operating system versions. It is a drive security and encryption program that protects drive content and data from any offline attack.

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Techopedia Explains BitLocker

BitLocker is primarily designed to prevent a user’s data from being viewed, extracted or retrieved in case a drive is stolen. It doesn’t protect a system when it’s running because the online/operational/live protection is maintained by the operating system. BitLocker uses an AES encryption algorithm with a 128-bit key or 256-bit key to encrypt disk volumes. It protects the data when a hard drive is stolen and is being used on another computer or when someone has physical access to the drive. To access the drive in an offline mode, BitLocker requires a recovery key. BitLocker is generally aimed toward individual users who may fall prey to computer/laptop theft.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…