Password protect folders in Windows Vista

[mykalberta]

I was wondering if anyone has used any of the folder password protect programs available?

Thanks.

[BlackArcher101]

In Vista you can put different folder restrictions for individual profiles/users. Shouldn't need a password protect program.

[ken0042]

I know in XP the easy way to do it is to boot into Safe Mode, then you can set permissions the same way as you did in NT and 2000. Not sure how different Vista might be.

[BlackArcher101]

mykalberta, this is what you are looking for. NTFS Folder Permissions.

http://www.techduke.com/2007/07/06/p...s-permissions/

[Bobblehead]

Myk is pretty tech savvy (at least based on some of his posts in the past, he appears to be a networking nerd). Permissions are probably a piece of cake for someone who runs packet sniffers.

Any product in particular you were wondering about, MYK?

[mykalberta]

I only run with one account on the computer I want this on so NTFS isnt an option.

I thought about hiding it but anyone who would say look at a couple 500 Gb Hard drives with about 1/2 space used and no folders might get suspicious.

The password allows me to secure what I need secure, and no one is going to ask about it because they shouldnt be snooping around someone else's computer anyways.

I run encryption software at bootup that after 3 mistries corrupts the disks but that doesnt do much for operating security while a user is in the OS itself.

I have looked at a few different companies but dont really know whom to trust. And 50$ is a bit much to go on a hunch.

File & Folder Protector 3.2 by Ixis Ltd
http://www.password-protect-software.com/
http://www.folder-guard.com/password-protect-folder.htm
http://www.protect-folders.com/

[BlackArcher101]

Ah, my apologies. Didn't know you were after a different thing all together.

When you do decide on one, let me know It would be handy for me as well.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Ah, my apologies. Didn't know you were after a different thing all together.

When you do decide on one, let me know It would be handy for me as well.

No problem, when I first wanted it I thought it would be an easy fix - I am not looking for USM grade sec here but simply a password that cant easily be broke as more of a deterant than anything else.

[llama64]

I've never done it myself, but couldn't you use TrueCrypt (http://www.truecrypt.org/) to create protected folders?

I use that program to encrypt and protect portions of my USB Stick, and it works out fairly well.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by llama64

I've never done it myself, but couldn't you use TrueCrypt (http://www.truecrypt.org/) to create protected folders?

I use that program to encrypt and protect portions of my USB Stick, and it works out fairly well.

I use that for my hard drives. Security Now podcast is very helpful with that stuff.

That solution is useful if you fear your computer getting stolen or whatever and the federales looking at it. Or if you are just a paranoid IT person.