[tech] password protecting and encrypting files

[laerdude04]

What would be the best way/program to use to encrypt as well as password protect some files. I recently had my parents fidn some party photos on my computer that caused me to be grounded for the next two months and I never want this to happen again? What is the best way to hide them and encrypt them so not only can they not see them but if they do find them they wont be able to get passed the password and even if they do that they will be encrypted.

[EricL]

You don't need to do that, just make a folder named "partay" and name photos random misspelled names like "b0yshavingfon"

If you really want to ecrypt it, download winrar, compress it and make a password to unlock.

[laerdude04]

You don't need to do that, just make a folder named "partay" and name photos random misspelled names like "b0yshavingfon"Yea that wouldn't attract even more attention. When the found them on the computer they were just random numbers, hidden, and inside windows folders

[matt25]

upload them to photobucket and then delete them off your hardrive

[EastCoastDeft]

upload them to photobucket and then delete them off your hardrive

not a bad idea

[laerdude04]

not a bad idea
Yea but its other files as well. Like excel sheets that keep track of money, not for drugs or anything, but for stuff my parents dont approve of.

[MainLax28]

USB Thumb Drive? Just transfer to one, and delete off your hard drive.

[Matt Larkin]

you can encrypt files with powerarchiver

[laxmann1993]

Is your windows account password protected, and your parents can't access it? If it is then you can make it a private folder, only accessed by your account when your logged on. (Right click file, properties, go to sharing tab, click make private) Then you can make it a hidden folder. This also works if your account is not password protected. (Right click folder, Properties, General tab, check hidden. Then exit folder, it will be gray. Tools, folder options, View tab, under hidden files and folders click do not show files and folders.)

[laerdude04]

Is your windows account password protected, and your parents can't access it? If it is then you can make it a private folder, only accessed by your account when your logged on. (Right click file, properties, go to sharing tab, click make private) Then you can make it a hidden folder. This also works if your account is not password protected. (Right click folder, Properties, General tab, check hidden. Then exit folder, it will be gray. Tools, folder options, View tab, under hidden files and folders click do not show files and folders.)
I would do that but in light of the current situation they made me unpassword my account. And my mom has enough computer smarts to realize I'd hide it that way.

[laxmann1993]

I would do that but in light of the current situation they made me unpassword my account. And my mom has enough computer smarts to realize I'd hide it that way.

Does show know about hidden files?


you can encrypt files with powerarchiver

Doesn't that cost money?

[laerdude04]

Does show know about hidden files?




Doesn't that cost money?
yea she knows about hidden files.

There is a free version of powerarchiver

[laxmann1993]

Ok. I just found that powerarchiver. I would try that.

[Cahillite LAX]

I would just get a usb flash drive and save everything on that, easiest way.

[Sack Attack]

Blank CD + CD-RW Drive = Safety.

[sidewinder19]

Yea but its other files as well. Like excel sheets that keep track of money, not for drugs or anything, but for stuff my parents dont approve of.

like what? you pushin' prostitutes playa?

[laerdude04]

like what? you pushin' prostitutes playa?
More like copies of tests, essays, papers, etc

[KnightsLAXDad]

I would do that but in light of the current situation they made me unpassword my account. And my mom has enough computer smarts to realize I'd hide it that way.

So what makes you think that when she finds a password protected files that she won't make you take off the password protection as well. If they are computer-savvy enough to find the files when they have non-obvious file names, they are going to certainly find pw protected ones. Besides, now they have a "reason" to start searching.

Your best bet is off-PC storage, like USB drives that have been suggested.

[laerdude04]

Your best bet is off-PC storage, like USB drives that have been suggested.
Is there a way to pw protect cds? I have a 256mb usb drive but its way too small, I need something like 500-600 mb so CDRs are my best bet I guess.

[Jugthug42]

Just hide the folders way deep in some weird directory. Make a folder in some game's folder or something labelled like Config or something. Than put something else in there, and hide the folder inside of that. Hide all the files inside the folder as well.

If she takes the time to look for that stuff, you have a mean mom. lol

[laxitute]

Is there a way to pw protect cds? I have a 256mb usb drive but its way too small, I need something like 500-600 mb so CDRs are my best bet I guess.

There are 2 gig usb drives. Shop around, you can find one for around 20 bucks.

[RockStar]

Yea but its other files as well. Like excel sheets that keep track of money, not for drugs or anything, but for stuff my parents dont approve of.
Live and learn, never keep written records of your "crimes"!

Seriously, there are a few ways to really hide files well. Not going to write them out here because I can't do a better job than most of the computer cryptography type websites out there.......search some of these out

If you really want to keep records of this stuff safely, suggest burning to CD, DVD, or thumb drive and keeping that hidden in an appropriately safe place.

[smalbikpro]

your safest bet is to put it on a CD. put it somewhere in your room where your mom wont find it. try putting it in a music cd case?