Windows Vista and encrypt sensitive files

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rajoo Sharma
  • Start date Start date
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Rajoo Sharma

Hi,

I have a computer with very sensitiv information, soo I need some help
to ensure that my files a secure.

All of my important files are located under c:\users\username\Documents
Filsystem is ntfs and 32 bit windows Vista

I want to prevent access to these files from other users who
- Can hack my windows password
- Boot up with ubuntu to access files on the disk
- can take my disk and connect to another computer as secondary drive
and ectract files.

Is there a way in windows i can use to encrypt my files soo nobody can
read these?

Thanks in advance
http://www.hd720i.com
 
Rajoo said:
Hi,

I have a computer with very sensitiv information, soo I need some help
to ensure that my files a secure.

All of my important files are located under c:\users\username\Documents
Filsystem is ntfs and 32 bit windows Vista

I want to prevent access to these files from other users who
- Can hack my windows password
- Boot up with ubuntu to access files on the disk
- can take my disk and connect to another computer as secondary drive
and ectract files.

Is there a way in windows i can use to encrypt my files soo nobody can
read these?
Click to expand...

You forgot to tell us what version of Vista you have. Home versions do not
have the native EFS encryption. Besides, EFS is very tricksy and if you do
not follow all best practices and caution you can lose all your data. You
can zip your files and assign a password to the zipped archive. Or you can
look into using True Crypt (free).

Malke
 
Hi,

I have a computer with very sensitiv information, soo I need some help
to ensure that my files a secure.

All of my important files are located under c:\users\username\Documents
Filsystem is ntfs and 32 bit windows Vista

I want to prevent access to these files from other users who
- Can hack my windows password
- Boot up with ubuntu to access files on the disk
- can take my disk and connect to another computer as secondary drive
and ectract files.

Is there a way in windows i can use to encrypt my files soo nobody can
read these?

Thanks in advance
http://www.hd720i.com
Click to expand...

Put them onto an external usb drive .
 
Rajoo Sharma said:
I have a computer with very sensitiv information, soo I need some help to
ensure that my files a secure.

All of my important files are located under c:\users\username\Documents
Filsystem is ntfs and 32 bit windows Vista

I want to prevent access to these files from other users who
- Can hack my windows password
- Boot up with ubuntu to access files on the disk
- can take my disk and connect to another computer as secondary drive and
ectract files.

Is there a way in windows i can use to encrypt my files soo nobody can
read these?
Click to expand...

Not directly answering your questions (see some of the other responses to
your question) - but assuming that the files in question do not represent
something illegal, make certain that there is a way that people who need to
see them are able to do so if you die or are incapacitated. (Your employer
if these are business files; your family if they're personal.)

For that matter, also be careful to ensure that *you* can get in if you
forget the password - stay away from the files for a few months and you'll
be wondering if you used "MySecre!Pa$$w0rd" - or was it "mYsECRE|Pas$wOrd"?
If whatever encryption tool you use has a lockout after some number of
failed attempts (and thus protects against brute-force attacks) you'll need
to remember just how to use a secondary login.

And answer this question (to yourself, not the newsgroup): just how much
protection is *really* needed for the files? You can build a complex,
cover-all-bases security blanket for the files, but if they're not that
valuable, why bother? One mantra in the security arena is that you protect
data to the point that it costs an attacker more to gain access to the data
than it is worth. For some data, that figure might be in the $billions; for
others it might be the cost of an hour or so hacking at the interface. It's
your call.

Joe Morris
 
Joe Morris said:
And answer this question (to yourself, not the newsgroup): just how much
protection is *really* needed for the files? You can build a complex,
cover-all-bases security blanket for the files, but if they're not that
valuable, why bother?
Click to expand...

What if they're child porn?
 
Malke said:
You forgot to tell us what version of Vista you have. Home versions do not
have the native EFS encryption. Besides, EFS is very tricksy and if you do
not follow all best practices and caution you can lose all your data. You
can zip your files and assign a password to the zipped archive. Or you can
look into using True Crypt (free).

Malke
Click to expand...

I think zip files can be to much work, but on the other hand it seems
like true crypt will do the trick :)

Thanks malke!
 
Jim said:
Put them onto an external usb drive .
Click to expand...

How will putting files on external zip drive protect the files besides
that I can take with me..."or hide it"
 
Joe said:
Not directly answering your questions (see some of the other responses to
your question) - but assuming that the files in question do not represent
something illegal, make certain that there is a way that people who need to
see them are able to do so if you die or are incapacitated. (Your employer
if these are business files; your family if they're personal.)

For that matter, also be careful to ensure that *you* can get in if you
forget the password - stay away from the files for a few months and you'll
be wondering if you used "MySecre!Pa$$w0rd" - or was it "mYsECRE|Pas$wOrd"?
If whatever encryption tool you use has a lockout after some number of
failed attempts (and thus protects against brute-force attacks) you'll need
to remember just how to use a secondary login.

And answer this question (to yourself, not the newsgroup): just how much
protection is *really* needed for the files? You can build a complex,
cover-all-bases security blanket for the files, but if they're not that
valuable, why bother? One mantra in the security arena is that you protect
data to the point that it costs an attacker more to gain access to the data
than it is worth. For some data, that figure might be in the $billions; for
others it might be the cost of an hour or so hacking at the interface. It's
your call.

Joe Morris
Click to expand...

Thank for your response. First of all the files are not illegal at all.
I just want these files to be protected. I must not be too protected as
you have described above, but protected good enough. I think the option
malke described seems to be good. Please let me know if you have som
other ideas.
 
Thank for your response. First of all the files are not illegal at all.
I just want these files to be protected. I must not be too protected as
you have described above, but protected good enough. I think the option
malke described seems to be good. Please let me know if you have som
other ideas.
Click to expand...

I use TrueCrypt as well, and I recommend it. And so you don't forget it
ever, here's a secure password:

Sh1bB0leth

OK, that part is just a joke, but I'm serious about TrueCrypt.
 
After serious thinking Rajoo Sharma wrote :
I have do used true crypt, and my opinimum is that this software is
fantastic. Thanks to all for their help and time :)
Click to expand...

I'm pleased that you've had a happy outcome. Enjoy your new security!
 
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