Software Update: Symantec Encryption Desktop 10.3.1

After Symantec acquired PGP in 2010, the software was still released under the PGP name. That changed this year with the rebranding of PGP Desktop to Symantec Encryption Desktop. This software allows you to encrypt your data, disks and email and manage your encryption keys. In a work environment it can be set centrally using the Symantec Encryption Server. Encryption Desktop has arrived at version 10.3.1 and includes the following abbreviated announcement:

What’s New in Symantec Encryption Desktop version 10.3.1

Building on Symantec Corporation’s proven technology, Symantec Encryption Desktop 10.3.1 includes numerous improvements and the following new features.

Linux

• Compatibility with New Linux Packages
  This release supports the installation of Symantec Drive Encryption for Linux on 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, 12.04.1 LTS, and 12.04.2 LTS and Red Hat Enterprise Linux/CentOS 5.9, 6.3, and 6.4.

Mac OS X

• Compatibility with Apple Mac OS X 10.8.2, 10.8.3, and 10.8.4
  This release supports installation of Symantec Desktop Encryption on systems running Mac OS X 10.8.2, 10.8.3, and 10.8.4.

Windows

• Compatibility with Microsoft Windows 8
  This release supports the installation of Symantec Encryption Desktop on systems running Microsoft Windows 8 Pro and Microsoft Windows 8 Enterprise, both 32- and 64-bit versions.
• Expanded support GPT-formatted disks for disk encryption
  Encryption is now supported on GPT-formatted removable and internal disks on systems with Microsoft Windows 8 and UEFI pre-boot authentication on systems with Windows 8 booting in UEFI mode. Encryption is also supported on GPT-formatted disks on systems with Microsoft Windows XP and later for removable disks.
• Whole Disk Recovery Tokens available for non-managed installations
  Whole Disk Recovery Tokens (WDRTs) are now available for non-managed users. Immediately before encryption begins a dialog box is displayed containing the WDRT. This WDRT can be used to access a disk or removable drive in case you have forgotten your passphrase, or lost your smart card or token.
• Compatibility with Microsoft Outlook 2013
  Symantec Encryption Desktop is now compatible with Microsoft Office 2013, both 32- and 64-bit versions.
• Compatibility with Microsoft Office 365 Cloud Server
  Symantec Encryption Desktop is now compatible with Microsoft Office 365 Server when you are using a supported email client. Note that encrypted email is not supported if you are using a web-based email client with Office 365 Cloud Server.

Note: Symantec Corporation plans to end-of-life the Instant Messaging Client feature in the next major release of Symantec Encryption Desktop.

Resolved Issues
For a list of issues that have been resolved in this release, please go to the Symantec Knowledgebase and search for TECH166098, “Symantec Encryption Desktop 10.3.1 – Resolved Issues“.