Community Newsletter: Q&A: 9/9/05 Is it possible to password-protect files and folders?
- 9/8/05 5:58 PM
Data BUs - Is it possible to password-protect files?
by wkorbe - 9/9/05 10:14 PM In reply to: 9/9/05 Is it possible to password-protect files and folders? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have used Winzip doing backups for years. The latest version has srong encryption. I zip each major folder and encrypt it, then back them up on DVDs. I date the backup zip files.
You can unzip any of htese and it restores the full directory structure, or you can extract any individaul file, sorted by name, date, type, etc.
I do not know of a superior solution. It can also last for generations, zip is the industry defacto standard, whereas these utilities require you standardizing on them forever. And it saves space (more BU per DVD).
For a quick and dirty backup, I just backup the entire Mydocs directory, or my outlook pst file, etc.
Hiding Personal Data in Computer or external Devices
by Alan Tomlin - 9/9/05 10:35 PM In reply to: 9/9/05 Is it possible to password-protect files and folders? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi there,
You may be unaware of this, but there is an excellent FREE program within a program called "Handy Bits". You can find Handy Bits by simply going to "www.handybits.com".
It will fully encrypt anything, even pictures etc., within a few seconds and uses a very secure program to do it. There are other handy items in the program such as voice recording for emails etc., file shredders etc.
These encryptions can be done for discs, tapes or computers and you can even encrypt a RW disc while programs are on that disc if you are using "Nero InCd".
I thought this info may be of some help to you as the methods your article describes seem rather slow, cumbersome and compicated.,
Bye for now,
Alan
PS There is only one drawback with it and it is it implants a cookie to allow it to download adds, I presume. This is easily overcome if you have a firewall and block it from going in or out. If you delete the cookie the program will not work. I detected this cookie with "Spybot". It comes up as "Teknum". I then programmed Spybot to ignore it once I blocked it in the firewall.
Password-protected files
by el_dub04 - 9/10/05 6:59 AM In reply to: 9/9/05 Is it possible to password-protect files and folders? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
You did not mention what type of files these personal information files are, so I am just submitting what I have learned from personal experience.
I have a journal that I keep on the computer in my profile on a Windows XP Professional Edition NTFS-formatted hard drive. Naturally I want this journal for my eyes only. Here is what I did to protect it (for free!).
First, let's start with the NTFS file system. What is this type of file system and why is it advantageous for sensitive data. The NTFS or new technology file system, is a more reliable, secure format of data organization on a hard disk. It was designed by Microsoft in the early 90's to provide the aformentioned qualities and to provide competition to UNIX-based operating systems. In a nutshell, NTFS does the following:
-It allows an administrator to set limits on the types of files accessible by other users and how that accessible data is allowed to be changed.
-NTFS is a system that allows the system to recover from serious errors without data loss.
-It allows bigger partition size. FAT (File Allocation Table) only allowed a maximum size of 4GB.
-More efficient space storage for a more accurate display of the actual available space on a hard drive.
-Allows for longer filenames (255 characters versus 8+3 in FAT).
In this case, you are primarily worried about security. For more info on NT file system and comparisons to FAT, go to http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/file/ntfs/over.htm. That is where I received the technical statistics for this post (No, I don't trust my own words!).
Keep in mind that if you have multiple hard drives, the FAT hard drive may not be recognized by your NTFS drive. This is a problem which I do not know how to solve, but I know it is possible. Google that if it is important. Also, it is not possible to convert back to FAT once the NTFS conversion is complete; you may only go from FAT to NTFS.
Now to get to the actual protection of those files...
I use MS Word XP (2002) to write my journal. Within Word itself is a tool that is available to make the file unreadable by any other user without the password, even if they were to get into the administrator profile. The following provides the steps on how to do this. (Keep in mind that I have not had anyone try to break this and I am not sure how secure this is. Perhaps some other techie with more knowlege (or hacking skills 
) will be able to follow up this thread.):
In Office XP(2002):
-Save File (File>Save)
-Once saved, go to "Tools" menu.
-Select "Options" from the drop-down menu.
-Click on the "Security" tab.
-Select a password to modify or open, or both.
-Select any other options per your preferences and click "Ok".
-The next time you open the document, it should ask you for your password.
-Word 2003 has the same options, but gives greater security through the "Permission" tab in the File menu.
CAUTION: If the password is forgotten, it cannot be recovered!
Now, when burning to a CD, the permissions should be embedded into the file. Good luck and I hope that helps! If it doesn't, well, then I'm a 20-year-old FORMER IT major at Muscatine Community College!
Password-Protecting Files and Folders on a PC
by kunleade - 9/10/05 7:08 AM In reply to: 9/9/05 Is it possible to password-protect files and folders? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
What about password-protecting files and folders on the computer itself, as distinct from backups?
Password protection
by gbsimmons - 9/10/05 8:40 PM In reply to: 9/9/05 Is it possible to password-protect files and folders? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Backup MyPC by Sonic does a great job of backing up your system to CD or DVD and allows password protection. It's included with Roxio 7.5
My advice - wear sunscreen
by gr8dude - 9/12/05 1:13 PM In reply to: 9/9/05 Is it possible to password-protect files and folders? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have read the previous messages, and there are a few things I would like to mention.
#1 Concerning Windows' native encryption abilities.
Somewhere above I wrote that, but here I am again:
- encryption is supposed to make things extra-secure, but EFS simply involves you into another risk: if your Windows installation goes crazy and the circumstances force you to reinstall the OS - your files are gone. So, instead of making you feel safe, it gives you reasons to feel that you are less safe than you were. Now there is one more way of losing your data besides forgetting the password or breaking the HDD/CD/USB disk/whatever...
- it only works in XP, so you're tied to this system. But many of the people I know still use Win98, so they need another solution.
- you can't take your data to another computer [without decrypting it], so not only that you are tied to your system logically, but also phisically. Yes, we're in the age of technology, when even your neighbor's dog has his own flash-disk and walks around with it %-)
#2 As many have agreed in this discussion, just a backup is ok, but an encrypted backup is even better (-:
Now, there are many solutions which do this job, but not all of them do it nicely. Most of them have the following drawbacks:
- they can encrypt only individual files or folders
- accessing the encrypted data requies a special tool, and other programs cannot write to the encrypted storage area directly [therefore you have to store the data somewhere, then move it with the special tool to the safe place]. This is not efficient.
So, I advise everyone to go for a program which can create a virtual drive, so that other programs can access it like they access any other drive. This way you can use encryption for any other program without making a big mess.
#3 Backup, backup, backup. I am very afraid of external drives, because of the unsafe-hardware-removal-o-phobia. If you are sure that you unplug the device correctly and it won't get screwed up; are you sure that one of your kids will accidentally pull the cord while you're away? Sure you're not! Unless you don't have kids (-:
I have discovered this very nice guide:
http://www.dekart.com/support/howto/Howto-efficient-data-protection-usb-drive/
It describes the basic problems that occur with our data, reviews loss-prevention techniques, and there are also some links to some tools which help you do it automatically [with encryption too]. Personally, I liked the article, because even my grandma can understand it. But the most important part is that all the solutions described there require no money, all you need is a will and some time to think of things.
And back to why I am afraid of external storage devices... I don't have that much critical data, so even a 4.7GB DVD is ok for me... Of course, I would 've bought an external HDD if I could afford one... But DVDs are cheap, and a DVD-burner is not very cheap too. So I would rather keep a stack of DVDs, and in case one of them gets screwed up, I can always revert to an earlier version.. Eh, you, external-HDD owners, you can't do that, can you? Usually, if such a drive is gone, it's gone for good [or you can still format it - but the data is lost]
#4 Someone mentioned alternative authentication methods (not password, but fingerprint). Well, somewhere on the site where the article resides, they have a tool which combines encryption with biometry... And all that stuff works with the techniques described in the article.. So, make sure you hang out on that site and look for other tasty information.
#5 Quality of implementation. Many developers print it with big red letters on their sites "we support a gazillion of algorithms". Why do I need many? Give me one that works well and stop feeding me with a lot of info I am unable to process. I think that a real encryption expert knows which algorithm is the best, therefore he/she will use it all the time. As a consequence, if a person offers you more algorithms to choose from, then it means that the person itself doesn't know which one is better; OR worse, the person goes for quantity over quality.
And one more thing, how do we know that the way THEY implemented it is the right one? Did they pass a certification? Why should I trust my data into their program's hands?
Conclusion: choose a program that is certified by xxxxx and approved by yyyyy or recommended by zzzzz. (xxxxx, yyyyy, zzzzz are serious entities we could listen to)
Personally, I use a prog I got for free with an issue of a computer magazine, and for a year+ of use I have never had problems with it. It is called PD.
Note: the smilies were reversed so that they wouldn't get autoconverted to emoticons [I hate them], but I am not left-handed =)
why are we so technical and /or secretive anyway
by donalcorr - 9/12/05 3:41 PM In reply to: My advice - wear sunscreen by gr8dudeWhy are we technial and secretive about what we want to hide anyway. I think that most people just want to have a folder or file, with personal entries in it, that they want to keep private, and all they want is to be able to click on such a file and when it goes to open, it will prompt you to enter a password before it can be opened. Once password is entered, then the file/folder opens in whatever format made, ie word, excel, etc. I have seen a file sent to me in excel when I went to open it done such a thing, but I don't know hos the author of the file done it, can anyone explain how this is done?? and can it be done on both word and excel, and can the same thing be done on folders? please print simple instructions for dummies like me.
DC
Private Disk does this
by gr8dude - 9/13/05 10:23 AM In reply to: why are we so technical and /or secretive anyway by donalcorrPD - the program I mentioned, works the way you want.
- You click the encrypted file
- Enter the password
- Then a new disk appears in My Computer [usually Z:]
- And then you can browse it like any other disk
There is also an option which tells the program to explore the disk automatically once the correct password is entered. Therefore everything is reduced to clicking the file and entering the correct password.
The Excel file you are talking about, was password protected with Excel's built-in option, but this protection is weak, and there are many tools that get over it with ease. One of them is made by a company called Elcomsoft, I don't remember the program's name, it was a long abbreviation, if I recall correctly. The point is that the passworded documents Office creates are not well-protected.
Password-protect files
by Liew K C - 9/13/05 4:44 AM In reply to: 9/9/05 Is it possible to password-protect files and folders? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Actually there is no need for any software or programme to password-protect files (either excel or words) as this is already provided for in these files themselves by the following instruction:
Open the particular Excel Workbook (or Word Page) and proceed as follows:
1. On the File menu, click Save As.
2. On the Tools menu, click General Options (or Security Options, if Word Page).
3. Do either or both of the following:
If you want users to enter a password (password: A way to restrict access to a workbook, worksheet, or part of a worksheet.
Excel passwords can be up to 255 letters, numbers, spaces, and symbols. You must type uppercase and lowercase letters
correctly when you set and enter passwords.) before they can view the workbook, type a password in the Password to open box,
and then click OK.
If you want users to enter a password before they can save changes to the workbook, type a password in the
Password to modify box.
Note Unlike passwords you specify in the Password to open box, passwords you specify in the Password to modify box are not
encrypted. These passwords are only meant to give specific users permission to modify workbook data. For optimal
password security, it's best to assign both passwords. An encrypted password to access the workbook, and one to
provide specific users with permission to modify its content.
Important Use strong passwords that combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Weak passwords
don't mix these elements. Strong password: Y6dh!et5. Weak password: House27. Use a strong password that you
can remember so that you don't have to write it down.
4. If you want to use a different encryption type, click Advanced, click the type you want in the Choose an encryption type list,
and then click OK.
5. If needed, specify the number of characters you want in the Choose a key length box.
Note Document property encryption is enabled by default for most encryption types and providers. It prevents unauthorized users
from viewing summary and custom file properties (such as the author or any custom file information) in the Properties dialog box.
When users right-click the password-protected file, and then click Properties, information won't be available on the Summary tab
and Custom tab. Authorized users, however, can open the file and view all file properties (File menu, Properties command).
To disable document property encryption, clear the Encrypt document properties check box.
6. Click OK.
7. When prompted, retype your passwords to confirm them.
8. Click Save.
9. If prompted, click Yes to replace the existing workbook.
Note You can also secure a workbook with a password on the Security tab of the Options dialog box (Tools menu, Options command).
Cheers,KC
Please Answer The Rest Of The Orig. Question
by cobbie - 9/14/05 11:01 AM In reply to: 9/9/05 Is it possible to password-protect files and folders? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
CAN YOU PASSWORD PROTECT A FOLDER
I know you can protect excel Docs seperately, but if I had (and I Do) 10 different excel Docs with passwords, can they be put into a FOLDER which can be password protected also. The reason is: these folders have to be put onto a networked drive that 400+ people have access to but only 40 people need to actually have access to this folder. How can I stop everyone else looking at this folder or at least from looking at certain SUB-Folders within that main Folder. Thanks for your help.
pass word protected folder
by resiq - 10/22/05 7:23 PM In reply to: Please Answer The Rest Of The Orig. Question by cobbieafter 84 messages, the original question is still not answered. can anyone tell us how to password protect a folder????
password protection?
by bobby - 11/12/05 3:38 PM In reply to: pass word protected folder by resiqtry using the program cd-lock by pc-magic software. keeps your data secure and ecrypted in your cd's even if they're not zipped. <g>
as per program description:
"CD-Lock disks can be distributed to anyone and will work on any computer running Windows 2000 or XP. (Win 98/ME users can decrypt the files on the CD, but it won't be done automatically and transparently for them as it is in XP/Win2K) All the end user needs is the protected CD and the password - they don't have to install CD-Lock."
program is simple but it's limited to a 15-day full-function evaluation period.
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