Can i password protect my file?

[yoshimoto]

Does anyone know, is it possible to put a password on a particular file in Windows?

Let me explain, I am a freelance designer and in one of my main files, I have a sub-file where I keep all work and designs that are yet to be patented. My laptop is very secure and only used by me or my family, but I recently had a scare when my best mate wanted to prove a point, and proceeded to "hack" into my design file. Nothing came of it, and we trust each other profusely, however it has got me thinking�..

So, is there a way of password protecting just this file?
This particular file is in Windows 2003 XP Pro.

Thanks

[stevec46]

I think (but could be wrong) that if you use winzip, you can put password protection on, but I don't know how good it is.

Steve

[YvonneM]

If it is a file in Office you can go to FILE SAVE AS from the menu at the top select TOOLS from the top menu then select GENERAL OPTIONS and you will see at the bottom you can password protect both for opening and modifying

[wildwood]

If the file is not already in a folder, make a new folder and put the file(s) you want to protect in it. Right-click the folder and select "send to" and "compressed folder".
Double-click the zipped folder and click the file tab, and wallah!!!! there appears an "add a password" option.
It is easiest to do all this on your desktop so you always remember where the folders you are working on are situated.
Ciao for now.

[rojash]

YvonneM, I hope you don't rely on that method to protect your files. You can open such files like this:

Open the plain file in a text editor
You will see loads of gibberish, except for one small thing which is in plain English - the password! Make a note of it.
Now open the usual way, enter the password you have just noted, and voila!

[ummmm]

I've just done what wildwood said to mine. I added a password then went back into it but I wasn't asked for the password??

[YvonneM]

You're obviously more into IT than me I would not know where to find the teaxt editor but I don't do bad for a pensioner who has never used a computer in the work place

[LeMarchand]

I've just tried out a few freeware encryption programs. The ones I felt were most useful were:

1) TrueCrypt ( http://www.truecrypt.org/ ). Probably more powerful than what you need, it creates a "hidden" virtual drive that can only be accessed by password. The main drawback that I could see is that if you need a large capacity storage area, it would be best to set up a number of smaller drives - as someone could find a suspiciously large file on your machine and suspect that it has your data. They shouldn't be able to access it, though - and the help file gives a way to further obfuscate your data should you be forced to give up your password under threat of violence!

2) AxCrypt ( http://axcrypt.axantum.com/ ). A lot easier to use, just right-click and password protect.

[Sligachan14]

What about a file encryption programme?

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~nulifetv/freezi p/freeware/

[Sligachan14]

Sorry, LeMarchand. I was typing while you were posting.

[yoshimoto]

Wow, thanks for all your help guys & girls - I'll give it a go when i get home tonight.

In the mean time, i also have a simular problem to the one posted before this question by Seaborn - and his mobile phone logo.
Any ideas?

[fo3nix]

I second the TrueCrypt idea. If your mate can get into that, then either he's using a keylogger on your computer or he's very bright indeed.

As LeMarchand says, it basically creates a file on your computer that you choose to be a certain size (make sure it's adequately large to store all your stuff now and for some time into the future too). Then you run the TrueCrypt program and load that file by entering your password. It then behaves as like a new drive (you can choose the drive letter, like S:), and you can freely use it in any program you use like Photoshop etc. Once finished, close TrueCrypt and unmount the virtual drive, and your stuff is secure.

[Kerplunk]

Why not just use the in built features of XP Pro. If your drive is NTFS, use NTFS file permissions. Right click the folder / file and chooes the security tab. Set the permissions so only you have access.

[fo3nix]

Kerplunk: basically because that isn't very secure. Permissions in windows aren't the most secure things ever.

[wildwood]

ummmm.... I have just tried the XP method with different type files and it works 100%.

Note: it password protects the files in the compressed folder individually, not the folder itself.

[fo3nix]

wildwood: it'll certainly work, but it's not bulletproof. It will probably stop yoshimoto's friend from getting access to his files. But it wouldn't stop someone who knew about such matters (the government, some cracker). TrueCrypt uses as default AES-128, which would stop all the computers in the world working together and getting access to the files. Assuming the password is strong enough, that is ;)

[Kerplunk]

Lol fo3nix, they are a site more secure than winzip passwords or Microsoft Office Passwords that the others suggested if used correctly. I could take you to many downloads that will crack office / winzip passwords with ease.