a secure folder

scooper · 25 August 2005 at 3:36PM

could anyone tell me how to set up a secure document or folder on my pc that maybe needs a password to enter it.
i have photos and written documents in ''my documents'' and ''my pictures'' that i need to move to a secure place.
it is not anything bad honest!its just im having my brother to stay for a week and i need to move these things so he cannot see.
to explain, he doesnt know im still in touch with somebody and would be very upset if he knew.
i have xp windows so hope someon can help.
hope ive explained myself properly.

Mr_Skint_2 · 25 August 2005 at 3:37PM

WinZip with encryption its so easy to use, just a thought

And what about user accounts password protect yer account and make files private ???

P.S Im going shopping now.

rchddap1 · 25 August 2005 at 3:38PM

Not sure on a precise answer to your question, but I'd probably move the files onto a CD / DVD and then hide that. I'd then delete the files from the PC. All dependent upon having a CD or DVD writer though.

sra · 25 August 2005 at 3:54PM

I used to use ashampoo privacy protector

It puts an option in your context menu to encrypt items
Even though it says its a demo, it actually doesn't expire - You only get 6 letter passwords which isn't as strong as if you bought the full version.

There are better ones available but for something really simple it's not bad

There's also cryptainer - but you can only encrypt 25MB with the free one

sra · 25 August 2005 at 3:56PM

Mr_Skint wrote:

WinZip with encryption its so easy to use, just a thought

As Mr S. says.

If you have XP: http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,110663,pg,1,00.asp

-TangleFoot- · 25 August 2005 at 5:58PM

If you've got Windows XP Professional Edition* you could just use its own Encrypting File System and/or Access Control features.

*If you've only got Windows XP Home Edition, you'll be limited to making your user account 'private' and using third-party utilities such as Cryptainer. But if you're willing to try something a little more risky...

Rex_Mundi · 25 August 2005 at 6:25PM

There is a way of 'hiding' folders on your computer.

Create a new folder (right click on a blank area>new>folder) call it anything you like (maybe MSE Tips). Open the new folder, then create another new folder inside your MSE Tips folder. Transfer all the stuff you want to hide into the second folder you've created.

Then right click the second new folder, click properties, then tick 'hidden' , then click apply then OK.

With the first folder you created open. Click view>folder options, a box will appear. Click view in this box. Then put a tick next to 'do not show hidden files' click apply then OK.

This will mean that when you open your MSE Tips folder it will look empty. When your brother leaves, you can reverse the process. Click view>folder options, then view (in the box). Tick 'show all files'>apply>OK. Your second new folder will reappear.

This will not encrypt any files or folders, but unless your brother is HIGHLY suspicious of you. He wont know your stuff exists.

greenwich · 25 August 2005 at 6:37PM

I use AxCrypt. It doesn't encrypt folders but it encrypts files and password-protects them. It can also rename all your files to random filenames so no one can guess what's in them (it puts the old filenames back when you give it the password). Nice little tool. http://axcrypt.sourceforge.net/

scooper · 25 August 2005 at 7:32PM

hi thankyou for all the help, i have chosen the axcrypt, tried it and its easy to use and just what im looking for

a secure folder

Comments

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free