There is exactly one horror story I've heard of, where a Reiser file system partition was somehow detected as a swap partition, causing data loss in that partition. If you're using Windows, this isn't a concern (only FAT, FAT32, NTFS).

If I were using Knoppix on a system with Reiser FS, I'd run it with "knoppix noswap" just in case.

As or the legal considerations with the cryptographic software--the only legal restrictions are for exporting certain cryptographic software from the United States to elsewhere. The justification for this restriction is that the US Government deems good cryptographic technology to be military technology--like stealth bombers or laser guided missiles. Thus, if it's developed in the United States there are restrictions on exporting it. However, there is no restriction whatsoever on IMPORTING cryptographic technology developed elsewhere in the world.

AFAIK, no one else considers cryptographic technology to be military technology, or if they do they deem the economic benefits of being able to sell software to outweigh any security concerns.

As such, pretty much all good cryptographic software development has moved outside the United States.