TrueCrypt vs Winrar: Decrypted Data Leak Prevention

TJCS

Senior member
Nov 3, 2009
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1. Question: TrueCrypt vs Winrar: TrueCrypt decryption method any better than Winrar in not leaving traces of decrypted data?
• Winrar temporary stores decrypted files in C:\Users\USER_Name\AppData\Local\Temp and deletes the data from HDD when winrar is closed.

VS

• TrueCrypt temporary stores decrypted data in RAM (sometimes in page file), and the decrypted data will remain in RAM (or pagefile) until you shut off the PC. [Please correct me if I am wrong about this]
2. Question: When mounting TrueCrypt volumes, there is an option not to "Cache passwords and keyfiles in memory," but their documentation seems to contradict this option:
TrueCrypt Documentation:
To summarize, TrueCrypt cannot and does not ensure that RAM contains no sensitive data (e.g. passwords, master keys, or decrypted data). Therefore, after each session in which you work with a TrueCrypt volume or in which an encrypted operating system is running, you must shut down (or, if the hibernation file is encrypted, hibernate) the computer and then leave it powered off for several minutes before turning it on again. This is required to clear the RAM (see also the section Hibernation File).
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There are definitely situations where I do not want to leave any traces of my sensitive-data on someone's PC, and seems like the only downside to TrueCrypt is you must shutoff the computer to clear the decrypted data & passwords.