If a portable computer is stolen, what should you implement to prevent unauthorized users from reading a specific file?

To protect a specific file in the event that a portable computer is stolen, implementing BitLocker is a robust approach. BitLocker is a full-disk encryption feature available in certain editions of Windows, which secures the entire hard drive by encrypting all files on it. This means that even if someone gains physical access to the device and attempts to read the files, they would be unable to do so without the proper authentication, typically requiring a password or recovery key.

While options such as file-level permissions and folder-level permissions can restrict access to users who already have access to the system, they do not provide security against unauthorized users who bypass these permissions through theft. These permissions only control access for users with legitimate accounts on that machine.

Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is a strong encryption standard, but simply applying it to files or folders without a proper encryption management tool or method (like BitLocker) means the data is still potentially accessible if the attack occurs on the operating system level. By using BitLocker, not only do you encrypt the files, but you also secure the entire volume, ensuring comprehensive protection for all data against unauthorized access.