A Windows XP help forum. PCbanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » PCbanter forum » Microsoft Windows 7 » Windows 7 Forum
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

password-protecting a file or folder



 
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old July 18th 18, 09:43 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Jo-Anne[_4_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,101
Default password-protecting a file or folder

I've Googled password-protecting files and folders; and according to
what I've read, one needs third-party software to do this in W7; or one
can encrypt the files/folders instead.

Any suggestions for third-party software?

--
Thank you,
Jo-Anne
  #2  
Old July 18th 18, 10:23 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
😉 Good Guy 😉
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,483
Default password-protecting a file or folder

On 18/07/2018 21:43, Jo-Anne wrote:
I've Googled password-protecting files and folders; and according to
what I've read, one needs third-party software to do this in W7; or
one can encrypt the files/folders instead.

Any suggestions for third-party software?


7-zip



--
With over 950 million devices now running Windows 10, customer
satisfaction is higher than any previous version of windows.

  #3  
Old July 19th 18, 02:39 AM posted to alt.windows7.general
Zaidy036[_5_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 427
Default password-protecting a file or folder

On 7/18/2018 5:23 PM, 😉 Good Guy 😉 wrote:
On 18/07/2018 21:43, Jo-Anne wrote:
I've Googled password-protecting files and folders; and according to
what I've read, one needs third-party software to do this in W7; or
one can encrypt the files/folders instead.

Any suggestions for third-party software?


7-zip


7_zip is free and easy to use and can be run in a batch.

--
Zaidy036
  #4  
Old July 19th 18, 07:41 AM posted to alt.windows7.general
Jo-Anne[_4_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,101
Default password-protecting a file or folder

On 7/18/2018 8:39 PM, Zaidy036 wrote:
On 7/18/2018 5:23 PM, 😉 Good Guy 😉 wrote:
On 18/07/2018 21:43, Jo-Anne wrote:
I've Googled password-protecting files and folders; and according to
what I've read, one needs third-party software to do this in W7; or
one can encrypt the files/folders instead.

Any suggestions for third-party software?


7-zip


7_zip is free and easy to use and can be run in a batch.


Thank you. I assume you mean that I can password-protect the zipped files?

--
Jo-Anne
  #5  
Old July 19th 18, 11:40 AM posted to alt.windows7.general
J. P. Gilliver (John)[_4_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,679
Default password-protecting a file or folder

In message , Jo-Anne
writes:
On 7/18/2018 8:39 PM, Zaidy036 wrote:
On 7/18/2018 5:23 PM, 0 On 18/07/2018 21:43, Jo-Anne wrote:
I've Googled password-protecting files and folders; and according to
what I've read, one needs third-party software to do this in W7; or
one can encrypt the files/folders instead.

Any suggestions for third-party software?


7-zip


7_zip is free and easy to use and can be run in a batch.


Thank you. I assume you mean that I can password-protect the zipped files?

Yes, and that might be a good compromise. I think even the built-in .zip
handler can handle passwords, though I'm not sure about that. How robust
the protection available is is arguable, but as you've conceded nothing
is bulletproof; if all you want is that when thief/hacker tries to
access a file s/he is prompted for a password, this would be a good
first step (perhaps along with not using obvious filenames). Note that
(I think) you can see the _names_ of the files inside a
password-protected .zip file just by looking at it - you only need the
password to actually extract them. Play with it a bit to see if it'd
suit you (and read up on whether the ease of cracking it would suit your
needs).
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Try to tell me to watch something because it's brilliant and everyone says so
and therefore I will love it, too, and you lose me for ever.
- Alison Graham, RT 2016/2/6-12
  #6  
Old July 19th 18, 03:01 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Zaidy036[_5_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 427
Default password-protecting a file or folder

On 7/19/2018 6:40 AM, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
In message , Jo-Anne
writes:
On 7/18/2018 8:39 PM, Zaidy036 wrote:
On 7/18/2018 5:23 PM, 0 On 18/07/2018 21:43, Jo-Anne wrote:
I've Googled password-protecting files and folders; and according to
what I've read, one needs third-party software to do this in W7; or
one can encrypt the files/folders instead.

Any suggestions for third-party software?


7-zip


7_zip is free and easy to use and can be run in a batch.


Thank you. I assume you mean that I can password-protect the zipped
files?

Yes, and that might be a good compromise. I think even the built-in .zip
handler can handle passwords, though I'm not sure about that. How robust
the protection available is is arguable, but as you've conceded nothing
is bulletproof; if all you want is that when thief/hacker tries to
access a file s/he is prompted for a password, this would be a good
first step (perhaps along with not using obvious filenames). Note that
(I think) you can see the _names_ of the files inside a
password-protected .zip file just by looking at it - you only need the
password to actually extract them. Play with it a bit to see if it'd
suit you (and read up on whether the ease of cracking it would suit your
needs).

https://www.7-zip.org/
There is an encrypt file names option
--
Zaidy036
  #7  
Old July 19th 18, 08:18 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Jo-Anne[_4_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,101
Default password-protecting a file or folder

On 7/19/2018 5:40 AM, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
In message , Jo-Anne
writes:
On 7/18/2018 8:39 PM, Zaidy036 wrote:
On 7/18/2018 5:23 PM, 0 On 18/07/2018 21:43, Jo-Anne wrote:
I've Googled password-protecting files and folders; and according to
what I've read, one needs third-party software to do this in W7; or
one can encrypt the files/folders instead.

Any suggestions for third-party software?


7-zip


7_zip is free and easy to use and can be run in a batch.


Thank you. I assume you mean that I can password-protect the zipped
files?

Yes, and that might be a good compromise. I think even the built-in .zip
handler can handle passwords, though I'm not sure about that. How robust
the protection available is is arguable, but as you've conceded nothing
is bulletproof; if all you want is that when thief/hacker tries to
access a file s/he is prompted for a password, this would be a good
first step (perhaps along with not using obvious filenames). Note that
(I think) you can see the _names_ of the files inside a
password-protected .zip file just by looking at it - you only need the
password to actually extract them. Play with it a bit to see if it'd
suit you (and read up on whether the ease of cracking it would suit your
needs).



Thank you, John. One other question: Someone pointed out that password
protection of folders and files won't work if the disk is moved to
another operating system. As far as I can tell, 7-zip is primarily for
Windows, with something also for Linux. If the program won't run on
other OS's, would the password protection remain?

--
Jo-Anne
  #8  
Old July 18th 18, 10:27 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
David E. Ross[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,035
Default password-protecting a file or folder

On 7/18/2018 1:43 PM, Jo-Anne wrote:
I've Googled password-protecting files and folders; and according to
what I've read, one needs third-party software to do this in W7; or one
can encrypt the files/folders instead.

Any suggestions for third-party software?


I use PGP 10.1.2. There are later versions. However, I think this is
the last version for which the source was made available to the public
for inspection to make sure there were no backdoors.

  #9  
Old July 18th 18, 11:31 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
J. P. Gilliver (John)[_4_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,679
Default password-protecting a file or folder

In message , David E. Ross
writes:
On 7/18/2018 1:43 PM, Jo-Anne wrote:
I've Googled password-protecting files and folders; and according to
what I've read, one needs third-party software to do this in W7; or one
can encrypt the files/folders instead.

Any suggestions for third-party software?


I use PGP 10.1.2. There are later versions. However, I think this is
the last version for which the source was made available to the public
for inspection to make sure there were no backdoors.

What, in your mind (Jo-Anne I mean), is the difference between
password-protection and encryption? If you mean by password-protection
that the raw files reside on the disc but access to them is controlled
somehow, then I'd ask what you are thinking about using such a facility
(if it exists) for; if the raw files are on the disc, then someone might
be able to bypass the access controls, unless they're part of the drive
itself rather than the operating system (e. g. by reading the drive in
another computer).
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

"I hate the guys that criticize the enterprise of other guys whose enterprise
has made them rise above the guys who criticize!" (W9BRD, former editor of
"How's DX?" column in "QST")
  #10  
Old July 18th 18, 11:48 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Jo-Anne[_4_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,101
Default password-protecting a file or folder

On 7/18/2018 5:31 PM, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
In message , David E. Ross
writes:
On 7/18/2018 1:43 PM, Jo-Anne wrote:
I've Googled password-protecting files and folders; and according to
what I've read, one needs third-party software to do this in W7; or one
can encrypt the files/folders instead.

Any suggestions for third-party software?


I use PGP 10.1.2. There are later versions. However, I think this is
the last version for which the source was made available to the public
for inspection to make sure there were no backdoors.

What, in your mind (Jo-Anne I mean), is the difference between
password-protection and encryption? If you mean by password-protection
that the raw files reside on the disc but access to them is controlled
somehow, then I'd ask what you are thinking about using such a facility
(if it exists) for; if the raw files are on the disc, then someone might
be able to bypass the access controls, unless they're part of the drive
itself rather than the operating system (e. g. by reading the drive in
another computer).



I guess what I'm thinking is that I'd like to make it somewhat difficult
for someone who steals my computer or gains access to it through malware
to read the data in certain folders and/or files. From what I've been
told, nothing is guaranteed to protect data--but thought that maybe just
adding a layer would help. I suppose a better approach might be to
remove the folders/files from the computer and keep them only on a
safely stored flash drive, but then my access would be difficult too.

--
Jo-Anne
  #11  
Old July 19th 18, 12:15 AM posted to alt.windows7.general
J. P. Gilliver (John)[_4_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,679
Default password-protecting a file or folder

In message , Jo-Anne
writes:
On 7/18/2018 5:31 PM, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
In message , David E. Ross
writes:
On 7/18/2018 1:43 PM, Jo-Anne wrote:
I've Googled password-protecting files and folders; and according to
what I've read, one needs third-party software to do this in W7; or one
can encrypt the files/folders instead.

Any suggestions for third-party software?


I use PGP 10.1.2. There are later versions. However, I think this is
the last version for which the source was made available to the public
for inspection to make sure there were no backdoors.

What, in your mind (Jo-Anne I mean), is the difference between
password-protection and encryption? If you mean by password-protection
that the raw files reside on the disc but access to them is controlled
somehow, then I'd ask what you are thinking about using such a facility
(if it exists) for; if the raw files are on the disc, then someone might
be able to bypass the access controls, unless they're part of the drive
itself rather than the operating system (e. g. by reading the drive in
another computer).



I guess what I'm thinking is that I'd like to make it somewhat
difficult for someone who steals my computer or gains access to it
through malware to read the data in certain folders and/or files. From
what I've been told, nothing is guaranteed to protect data--but thought
that maybe just adding a layer would help. I suppose a better approach
might be to remove the folders/files from the computer and keep them
only on a safely stored flash drive, but then my access would be
difficult too.

In which case I think you want encryption, not just access control. For
practical purposes, I don't think there'd be much difference from the
user's (your) point of view, at least for small to medium files; if you
want to encrypt large files like video it might take longer, but I can't
imagine you wanting to.

You'd also need to change your way of working slightly to make sure the
unencrypted versions of the files (they have to be unencrypted for you
to actually use them!) spend as little time on the computer as possible,
and are overwritten with something; they're to be found in page files,
hibernate files, and various buffers.

This isn't my field - this is just what I've picked up over the years.
I've never actually implemented anything.

Depending how far you want to go, there are things that will conceal
even the _existence_ of the files you want to hide. (And these can be
nested too!) If going along those routes, (a) you still have to take
care of the buffers etc. I mention above, (b) if the potential thief or
hacker finds you've got the software to do this hiding (or unhiding so
you can actually get at the files!) on your machine, they'll know to go
looking.

The external flash drive (kept _away_ from your computer!) is probably
easier! (Though the buffer matter still needs attention.)
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

The motto of the Royal Society is: 'Take nobody's word for it'. Scepticism has
value. - Brian Cox, RT 2015/3/14-20
  #12  
Old July 19th 18, 12:19 AM posted to alt.windows7.general
Jo-Anne[_4_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,101
Default password-protecting a file or folder

On 7/18/2018 6:15 PM, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
In message , Jo-Anne
writes:
On 7/18/2018 5:31 PM, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
In message , David E. Ross
writes:
On 7/18/2018 1:43 PM, Jo-Anne wrote:
I've Googled password-protecting files and folders; and according to
what I've read, one needs third-party software to do this in W7; or
one
can encrypt the files/folders instead.

Any suggestions for third-party software?


I use PGP 10.1.2. There are later versions. However, I think this is
the last version for which the source was made available to the public
for inspection to make sure there were no backdoors.

What, in your mind (Jo-Anne I mean), is the difference between
password-protection and encryption? If you mean by password-protection
that the raw files reside on the disc but access to them is controlled
somehow, then I'd ask what you are thinking about using such a facility
(if it exists) for; if the raw files are on the disc, then someone might
be able to bypass the access controls, unless they're part of the drive
itself rather than the operating system (e. g. by reading the drive in
another computer).



I guess what I'm thinking is that I'd like to make it somewhat
difficult for someone who steals my computer or gains access to it
through malware to read the data in certain folders and/or files. From
what I've been told, nothing is guaranteed to protect data--but
thought that maybe just adding a layer would help. I suppose a better
approach might be to remove the folders/files from the computer and
keep them only on a safely stored flash drive, but then my access
would be difficult too.

In which case I think you want encryption, not just access control. For
practical purposes, I don't think there'd be much difference from the
user's (your) point of view, at least for small to medium files; if you
want to encrypt large files like video it might take longer, but I can't
imagine you wanting to.

You'd also need to change your way of working slightly to make sure the
unencrypted versions of the files (they have to be unencrypted for you
to actually use them!) spend as little time on the computer as possible,
and are overwritten with something; they're to be found in page files,
hibernate files, and various buffers.

This isn't my field - this is just what I've picked up over the years.
I've never actually implemented anything.

Depending how far you want to go, there are things that will conceal
even the _existence_ of the files you want to hide. (And these can be
nested too!) If going along those routes, (a) you still have to take
care of the buffers etc. I mention above, (b) if the potential thief or
hacker finds you've got the software to do this hiding (or unhiding so
you can actually get at the files!) on your machine, they'll know to go
looking.

The external flash drive (kept _away_ from your computer!) is probably
easier! (Though the buffer matter still needs attention.)



Thank you, John. I'll have to think about this. (It may not be worth
trying.)

--
Jo-Anne
  #13  
Old July 19th 18, 08:28 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
David E. Ross[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,035
Default password-protecting a file or folder

On 7/18/2018 4:15 PM, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote [in part]:

[snipped]


You'd also need to change your way of working slightly to make sure the
unencrypted versions of the files (they have to be unencrypted for you
to actually use them!) spend as little time on the computer as possible,
and are overwritten with something; they're to be found in page files,
hibernate files, and various buffers.


[also snipped]

I use Eraser from http://eraser.heidi.ie/, which overwrites files to
be erased. There are canned erasing methods within the application that
the user can select. Some overwrite multiple times. The user can also
create additional methods.

--
David E. Ross
http://www.rossde.com/

Attorney-General Sessions claims the bible favors imprisoning illegal
aliens. However, God repeatedly commanded us to welcome the stranger in
our land. For example, see the following:
Exodus 22:20 at
http://bible.ort.org/books/pentd2.asp?ACTION=displaypage&BOOK=2&CHAPTER=22#P2 131
Exodus 23:9 at
http://bible.ort.org/books/pentd2.asp?ACTION=displaypage&BOOK=2&CHAPTER=23#P2 151
Deuteronomy 10:19 at
http://bible.ort.org/books/pentd2.asp?ACTION=displaypage&BOOK=5&CHAPTER=10#P5 200
  #14  
Old July 18th 18, 11:33 PM posted to alt.windows7.general
Jo-Anne[_4_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,101
Default password-protecting a file or folder

On 7/18/2018 4:27 PM, David E. Ross wrote:
On 7/18/2018 1:43 PM, Jo-Anne wrote:
I've Googled password-protecting files and folders; and according to
what I've read, one needs third-party software to do this in W7; or one
can encrypt the files/folders instead.

Any suggestions for third-party software?


I use PGP 10.1.2. There are later versions. However, I think this is
the last version for which the source was made available to the public
for inspection to make sure there were no backdoors.


Thank you, David. I'll take a look at it.

--
Jo-Anne
  #15  
Old July 19th 18, 01:00 AM posted to alt.windows7.general
VanguardLH[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 10,881
Default password-protecting a file or folder

Jo-Anne wrote:

I've Googled password-protecting files and folders; and according to
what I've read, one needs third-party software to do this in W7; or one
can encrypt the files/folders instead.

Any suggestions for third-party software?


W7 (Windows 7) does not state which *edition* you have of that OS. The
Professional and Enterprise editions come with EFS (Encrypting File
System). If you use it, make damn sure to setup a recovery agent.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encrypting_File_System
(Requires NTFS file system. You didn't say what you use.)

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc875821.aspx

EFS is something you need to self-educate yourself before committing to
using it. So enjoy reading several articles about it, like:

https://www.nextofwindows.com/things...a-in-windows-7
and
https://www.google.com/search?q=windows+7+efs

As I recall, EFS was tied to your Windows logon - so you'll need one
(instead of blank credentials). That means no sharing of EFS-protected
folders with other Windows accounts under the same or different
instances of Windows. You can't dole out a shared password. With 3rd
party tools that utilize a password, anyone with it can get inside.

I've been twice burned by EFS. I went to TrueCrypt to secrete files
within a mountable container (becomes a drive letter when mounted). You
need to use version 7.1a since the latest version was deliberately
crippled for read-only mode when the authors scurried away (there is
speculation by their behavior that they got a National Security Letter
which legally bars them from revealing getting one, refused to add a
backdoor for the NSA or FBI, and left the last version crippled as a
warrant canary). There are variations of TrueCrypt since it used open
source code, like VeraCrypt.

Any superficial software that bans access to the file or folders using
permissions, ACLs, stacked file drivers, etc will not work when the OS
is not loaded along with that software/drivers. Booting using a
different OS, like from a CD or USB drive, or toting the drive to
another computer running a different instance of Windows will permit
access to all those files and folders. Permissions are enforced per
Windows instance, not across all of them. Using any other OS, whether
it be Windows or Linux, will let you get at the files. While the
container is mounted, you can immediate access to everything inside.
You need to unmount the container (drive) to re-protect its contents.
Logging out or shutting down Windows will also unmount the container.

There are some folder protect tools but they run as stacked file
drivers. That's why I mention they are easily avoided by using a
different OS to read the disk. In another instance of Windows or by
using Linux, the drivers and permissions won't be enforced. Only if
that 3rd party folder protect tool encrypts the folder would its
contents remain safe when using a different booted OS to access the
drive. No 3rd party software needed if you have the Pro or Enterprise
edition of Windows 7 where you can use EFS.

While TrueCrypt can also be used to encrypt an entire volume, like the
partition on the hard disk, even for the OS, I wouldn't suggest it.
Development on TrueCrypt ended before UEFI became ubiquitous in new PC
builds. Use TrueCrypt's whole-disk encryption only in MBR setups.
VeraCrypt is supposed to have been updated to support UEFI. However,
like Bitlocker, if you forget your login credentials, the entire volume
(partition) becomes unusable. You won't even be able to boot the OS
because it is within the encrypted volume. Some users are very paranoid
and use whole-disk encryption. You don't need to secrete the OS or app
code since it isn't your property anyway and anyone can get that code by
simply getting the same OS or app. You really only need to protect your
own data files (unless you're into programming and working on a new
project on your computer and want to make sure espionage can't be used
to get at your gem of new code).

Back in TrueCrypt's hey day, there were some alternative but not all
were free, like TrueCrypt (or provided source code for inspection and
instead were closed and proprietary). There have been 2 audits of
TrueCrypt's code: no backdoors were found and the defects were piddly.
BestCrypt had a free version but closed called Traveller. It was far
more basic than TrueCrypt but then not all users want all the features
of TrueCrypt.
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off






All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:19 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 PCbanter.
The comments are property of their posters.