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#1
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How to encrypt 2 files so can't be read
Using XP professional and my only hard drive is formated with the NTFS
volumn. Please explain, step by step, how to encrypt 2 files so only I may have access. Do I need to start with entering my system with a password. Would preferr not to have to do this as I am the only user and am only encrypting 2 files. Is XP professional the best program to do this with or is there another that would greatly increase the unlikelyhood of these files being hacked by someone? |
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#2
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How to encrypt 2 files so can't be read
"Berol" wrote in message
... Using XP professional and my only hard drive is formated with the NTFS volumn. Please explain, step by step, how to encrypt 2 files so only I may have access. Do I need to start with entering my system with a password. Would preferr not to have to do this as I am the only user and am only encrypting 2 files. Is XP professional the best program to do this with or is there another that would greatly increase the unlikelyhood of these files being hacked by someone? If you want to use EFS (encrypted file system) included in Windows XP *Professional* the use Start - Help and Support and read EVERYTHING about EFS before using it, especially on exporting the EFS certificate. Otherwise, look into other encryption utilities, like TrueCrypt. |
#3
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How to encrypt 2 files so can't be read
"Berol" wrote in message ... Using XP professional and my only hard drive is formated with the NTFS volumn. Please explain, step by step, how to encrypt 2 files so only I may have access. Do I need to start with entering my system with a password. Would preferr not to have to do this as I am the only user and am only encrypting 2 files. Is XP professional the best program to do this with or is there another that would greatly increase the unlikelyhood of these files being hacked by someone? Hi I have XP Home SP2 so I don't have EFS available. I recently installed axcrypt and got it running in a few hours. You can have strong encryption but be sure to remember the pass phrase and protect the AES-128 key on removable media such as a floppy disk or USB flash drive. Any user can access axcrypt and you don't have to password-protect the user accounts. In case you have GNU gpg or PGP installed you can use that to digitally sign the digital key and the encrypted files, but this is very much optional. http://www.axantum.com/ Good luck, -- Allan |
#4
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How to encrypt 2 files so can't be read
Berol wrote:
Using XP professional and my only hard drive is formated with the NTFS volumn. Please explain, step by step, how to encrypt 2 files so only I may have access. Do I need to start with entering my system with a password. Would preferr not to have to do this as I am the only user and am only encrypting 2 files. Is XP professional the best program to do this with or is there another that would greatly increase the unlikelyhood of these files being hacked by someone? Go to TrueCrypt.org and download latest version of True Crypt. This open source software will create a virtual encrypted volumes on your hard drive that looks and feels like real hard drive. During the creation of the virtual drive you assign a password/phrase that protects the data contained in it. The drive can be copied and/or emailed with no adverse effects to the drive. Don't be intimidated by the users manual, the up front section will step through the process to create a virtual drive in no time. If you want to know more then you can learn all there is to know later in the manual. I have been using it for over a year with no loss of date. Using Windows encryption is very dependent upon account and passwords used during creation and does not have the flexibility that True crypt has. Marty |
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How to encrypt 2 files so can't be read
To expand on the first reply.
The XP encryption is tied to the user account. Not the user name, not the user password, but the account itself. If XP has to be re-installed, even if you create the same user with the same password, all XP-encrypted files will be UN-readable. That is the importance of saving the "EFS certificate". With it you have a chance of reading the files. Without it you don't. The third-party encryption tools mentioned in the other replies have a more traditional password system, and are not tied to the user account. They offer strong encryption, if you really feel that you need that (sort of CIA level), as opposed to casual encryption (to keep kids out). But, as with any password based system, you need to pick a password that is (1) fairly long, (2) not something obvious like your name, birthdate, etc, (3) something you can remember, or feel comfortable writing down somewhere that you can find later. A possible alternative to encryption is to save the files on removeable media (e.g., USB stick) and hide/lock that away. Remember, the best approach to security depends on whom are trying to prevent accessing the files. "Berol" wrote in message ... Using XP professional and my only hard drive is formated with the NTFS volumn. Please explain, step by step, how to encrypt 2 files so only I may have access. Do I need to start with entering my system with a password. Would preferr not to have to do this as I am the only user and am only encrypting 2 files. Is XP professional the best program to do this with or is there another that would greatly increase the unlikelyhood of these files being hacked by someone? |
#6
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How to encrypt 2 files so can't be read
"Bob Harris" wrote in message ... To expand on the first reply. The XP encryption is tied to the user account. Not the user name, not the user password, but the account itself. If XP has to be re-installed, even if you create the same user with the same password, all XP-encrypted files will be UN-readable. That is the importance of saving the "EFS certificate". With it you have a chance of reading the files. Without it you don't. The third-party encryption tools mentioned in the other replies have a more traditional password system, and are not tied to the user account. They offer strong encryption, if you really feel that you need that (sort of CIA level), as opposed to casual encryption (to keep kids out). But, as with any password based system, you need to pick a password that is (1) fairly long, (2) not something obvious like your name, birthdate, etc, (3) something you can remember, or feel comfortable writing down somewhere that you can find later. A possible alternative to encryption is to save the files on removeable media (e.g., USB stick) and hide/lock that away. Remember, the best approach to security depends on whom are trying to prevent accessing the files. "Berol" wrote in message ... Using XP professional and my only hard drive is formated with the NTFS volumn. Please explain, step by step, how to encrypt 2 files so only I may have access. Do I need to start with entering my system with a password. Would preferr not to have to do this as I am the only user and am only encrypting 2 files. Is XP professional the best program to do this with or is there another that would greatly increase the unlikelyhood of these files being hacked by someone? Since the OP did not say who that "someone" might be, we might as well assume that it is a reasonably capable attacker. As far as I know, EFS also uses strong encryption algorithms but a lot of users have reported problems with restoring user accounts and exporting certificates. Axcrypt also offers a "weak" encryption level without using a digital key and just a passphrase but I would not consider bothering to use it. As far as selecting a passphrase, it should just be a "random" string of upper and lower case letters,digits and other characters including spaces. Besides the third-party encryption tools mentioned there are many others, including proprietary source-code offerings. I have not tried any of them but they may also be worthwhile at least for a trial installation. If I had XP Pro instead of XP Home I might try to experiment with EFS first like many others who have posted in this and other NGs, often with puzzlement and confusion with unexpected results. -- Allan |
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