TrueCrypt is a software system for establishing and maintaining an on-the-fly-encrypted volume (data storage device). On-the-fly encryption means that data are automatically encrypted or decrypted right before they are loaded or saved, without any user intervention.

No data stored on an encrypted volume can be read (decrypted) without using the correct password/keyfile(s) or correct encryption keys. Entire file system is encrypted (e.g.., file names, folder names, contents of every file, free space, meta data, etc).

Main Features:

• Creates a virtual encrypted disk within a file and mounts it as a real disk.
• Encrypts an entire hard disk partition or a storage device such as USB flash drive.
• Encryption is automatic, real-time (on-the-fly) and transparent.
• Provides two levels of plausible deniability, in case an adversary forces you to reveal the password:
  1. Hidden volume (steganography – more information may be found here).
  2. No TrueCrypt volume can be identified (volumes cannot be distinguished from random data).
• Encryption algorithms: AES-256, Serpent, and Twofish. Mode of operation: XTS.

Further information regarding features of the software may be found in the documentation.

Download your copy of TrueCrypt here (free, open-source and multi-platform).

Sarah Silverman sings “I’m F*cking Matt Damon” on Jimmy Kimmel Live January 31, 2008. Hilarious, enjoy!

Fast

BBC News and The Daily Telegraph wrote earlier this week about the French engineering giant Alstom who has unveiled a new high-speed train. The AGV (Automotrice Grande Vitesse) train will travel at up to 360km/h (224mph), powered by engines placed under each carriage.

Alstom compares the AGV - successor to the TGV - to the world’s largest passenger plane, the Airbus A380 plane, in terms of importance and innovation. The capacity will be increased from 485 to 650 passengers, and at the same time reduce energy consumption by 15 percent. The train will also make less noise.

The first trains will hit the rails in Italy in 2011 and in France around 2014.

Faster

Another story that caught my eyes last week was the exploratory plans for a ultrafast eco-friendly passenger jet.

With funding from the European Space Agency, a team of engineers and scientists has come up with the A2, a plane they believe could carry 300 passengers at a top speed of more than 6400km/h (3,000mph)!

Not sure if this is going to be the next thing in the Olympics, but it sure is impressive…