File Corruption occurs if PGP Desktop and Symantec Endpoint Encryption Removable Storage are installed on the same machine and heavy disk I/O is present

Products

• Endpoint Encryption

Issue/Introduction

Files are becoming corrupt when running both Symantec PGP Desktop and Symantec Endpoint Encryption Removable Storage on the same machine and heavy disk I/O is present on the machine.  Example being running a disk defragment, while running a backup, while encrypting the hard drive.

The only way you will see the file corruption is if you are actively looking for it or you experience errors related to file corruption.

You can scan for corruption using System File Checker: From Command Line: SFC /VERIFYONLY then parse the CBS.LOG file for "cannot repair or "repairing" strings.
 

Cause

The PGP pgpwdefs driver was not being loaded because of a conflict with the SEE RS GE Protection driver; both mini filter drivers were configured at the same altitude. This prevented the pgpwdefs driver from being able to protect the pgpwde metadata properly. When enough disk activity occurs or certain files were accessed or moved, (i.e windows defrag) a possibility of corruption occurred. 

 

Resolution

Solution:

Upgrade to Symantec Encryption Desktop 10.3.0 MP1 (Build 9060) and Symantec Encryption Removable Storage 8.2.1 MP5 (Build 118) or a newer release.

Workaround:

Please contact Symantec Encryption Technical Support for a workaround if required.

Notice: For more information on minifilter drivers and Microsoft Filter Manager please see this related article from Microsoft:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/ff541610%28v=vs.85%29.aspx

Another helpful resource is the listing of all the minifilter drivers and their assigned altitude level from Microsoft:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/gg462961.aspx

Applies To

Microsoft Windows Versions running PGP Desktop and Symantec Endpoint Encryption Removable Storage.