Password protecting files or folders

mighty_reds

I have a Dell Labtop running with Vista. Is there a way I can password protect individual MS Word files or entire folders?

I don't really want to set up more than one account on the laptop, just to keep a small amount of files confidential. Is this possible when running one just one user account on the laptop?

Thanks

superscaper

Have a look at TrueCrypt (www.truecrypt.org). You can create an encrypted "container" to put everything you want to protect in it.

gaming_guy

via truecrypt for folders(free open source software), yes

for word, you need to install the information rights package from the microsoft site or just stick them in the truecript volume

Rui_Santos

superscaper wrote: »

Have a look at TrueCrypt (www.truecrypt.org). You can create an encrypted "container" to put everything you want to protect in it.

is this is an open source. I mean free to use?

robd831

I think that you can lock individual documents by going to the Tools then options then tab on the security and enter the password, I seem to remember you can also do this when you go to save the document as it is one of the options there as well. This will mean that only those who know the password can open it .Just don't forget the password because it will give you no clues.

superscaper

Rui_Santos wrote: »

is this is an open source. I mean free to use?

Yes it is freeware and open source. One of the key advantages in it being open source is that there can't be any backdoors built in unlike commercial equivalents where it's not only possible but in some circumstances a requirement.

mighty_reds

robd831 wrote: »

I think that you can lock individual documents by going to the Tools then options then tab on the security and enter the password, I seem to remember you can also do this when you go to save the document as it is one of the options there as well. This will mean that only those who know the password can open it .Just don't forget the password because it will give you no clues.

Yes got that now! Had never noticed that before! Cheers

Rui_Santos

superscaper wrote: »

Yes it is freeware and open source. One of the key advantages in it being open source is that there can't be any backdoors built in unlike commercial equivalents where it's not only possible but in some circumstances a requirement.

wow that is great to use freeware with lovely features.

Eagle15

I've been using AxCrypt ( http://www.axantum.com/AxCrypt/ ) 1.7 beta specifically to encrypt individual files for the past couple of weeks. Once installed you just right click on the file name in Windows Explorer, select Encrypt, enter the password and it's secure. To open the file in whatever, you just double click the file name in Windows Explorer, enter the password and you're in.
This is far, far better than the security offered in applications like MS Office.

Eagle15

Forgot to say, AxCrypt is FREE