Hide and/or encrypt ?

I want to protect some personal folders for privacy reason. The most simple is probably to hide them with some programs. But what if somebody reboots the PC using a disket?

Other solution: encrypt the whole folder(s) ?

 

Hi Yinda,

I have to agree 100% with LowWaterMark. Hiding is just that. Things hidden can be found. Encryption is like a "safe" and safecracking is a lot harder than finding something.

Also, almost all "hiding" programs I have seen can be foiled by booting with the OS disk. Simple reason: all folder hiding programs hide their folders by use of their program. If their program isn't running, it cannot do its job and hide the folders.

With an encrypted container, partition, whatever.....even if the program isn't on the computer, the container is still there as a file - completely safe and encrypted.

Folder hiding has its place. Like to hide things from children, things that are not truly sensitive - just private - but honestly, that's about it. Its "secure lite"....

I really think LowWaterMark is right if you want real true-blue security.

Good luck,
John
Luv2BSecure

 

Hi everybody,

Thanks for advices. The different posts are very instructive.

I do prefer the encryption too. I am already using ABI Coder (and like it), but just for some files. Although it has an "All files in folder" option, I like the idea of container mentioned by Luv2BSecure.

I have just downloaded the demo version of CryptDrive.

Thanks again and best regards,

Yinda

 

Hi Yinda

Welcome aboard.
Encryption is really the answer for private folders. If your files were named considering private sensitive way, I would recommend to hide them too, that is because encryption doesn´t rename files, nor folders. Encrypted zipped archives is one thing to consider too.

John, nice to see you too, sorry I didn´t reply for the last one earlier.

Pieter do not mind if some newbie like me tries to hangaround.

friendliest yours - Ari

 

That's the beauty of encrypted "containers" or "crypts".... no file names are shown. All you see is a file. The file when opened with the correct passkey just opens another drive. When you are through looking at whatever is in that "drive" (can be as big as around 4gb), shut it down and it's back to a file called, "Favorite Posts From Blaze"
......or whatever. I actually discourage the use of Zipped archives for "mass file" encryption purposes, Ari, because of the high rates of corrupted Zip files and the maximum size requirements.

I still think some are confused with "single file encryption" and "disk encryption"....remember, "Disk Encryption" is where you make a large "container" that acts just like another drive but when closed nothing inside can be seen.

I know little to nothing about this particular product as it is new. But I went looking for a good description for "Disk Encryption" versus "single file encryption".
http://www.infoseccorp.com/products/spyproof/contents.htm
By the way, the new PGP 8.0 is bringing PGPDisk back from the dead after NAI had killed it. PGPDisk is an example of "Disk Encryption." But the above link gives a good explanation and may explain it better than I have....


John
Luv2BSecure

 

Hi John

Hhmm your reply made me thinking.....I have used "TeamWares" encrypting and at the present F-secures.......but I do not like them, especially F-secures encrypting is s l o w . And file name is still visible for example: BankAccounts.fff, that is no good encryption or what. And when it comes to corruption of archieved....dangit. I need a very good tool and which allows me to send encrypted emails too.....is " Iron Key" a good one ?
http://www.webattack.com/freeware/security/fwencrypt.shtml

Thank you all of you friends , this forum is the best place on whole net

friendliest yours -Ari

 

Hi,
I have been using DriveCrypt since yesterday. I don't think it is necessary to test more because it is so simple to use.
However, before ordering the product, I would like to know whether there is a freeware using the concept of container too.
Thanks
Yinda

 

Hi Yinda,

Glad you like Drivecrypt. I love it.
What OS are you using?
If you are using Win95/98 you can get Scramdisk. Same program (almost) for free.
go to:
http://www.drivecrypt.com/update/home.asp
enter scramdisk for username and freedownload for password.
If you use XP/W2K/NT it has to be Drivecrypt.

Good luck!
John
Luv2BSecure

 

Hi John,
I am using Win98 fortunately. So I have installed Scramdisk and am using it. It has less functionalities than Drivecrypt of course, but amply sufficient for normal use. Great program.
Thanks very much !
Regards,
Yinda

 

Yinda,

I'm glad you're able to use ScramDisk. It's a solid program. The whole history behind that program is fascinating. It is amazing that certain parties got together and are now actually allowing the distribution of ScramDisk from the DriveCrypt servers. ScramDisk was free with source code available for a long time. The developer of ScramDisk left to form the company that now offers DriveCrypt as a commercial program. That left ScramDisk where? With a lot of controversy over the last year between Shawn (the developer of ScramDisk) and his partner. The partner (Sam) was very upset that DriveCrypt was going to be commercial and the source code unavailable. THAT was the real problem. However, DriveCrypt changed their policies and Sam was back in good graces with Shawn. Now ScramDisk and DriveCrypt - amazingly - are both available from SecurStar. (If you go to the old ScramDisk site it tells you what to do to get the username and passcode and then in an email you are directed to a special site at --- DRIVECRYPT! ) It's been quite a ride to watch, but you can't beat the programs. Solid. Stable. Strong encryption. Just thought I would tell you a little history of how that program has evolved and you were able to download it - without paying for the newer DriveCrypt.

John
Luv2BSecure