Sorry it didn't work out the way you had hoped, but I think you have the right attitude.

Nothing worthwhile was ever achieved easily.

 

Have a question that I don't think really warrants its own thread.

I want to digitize my banking records. Rather than keeping statements in paper form that invariably get spread all over my office for anyone to see I'd like to keep .pdf copies of them on an external drive. However, I don't want anyone to have access to said financial records. I do plan on locking the drive up in the safe when not in use, but what should I do about making the files on the drive non accessible? Under normal circumstances I'll only be using the drive once a month or so. And I probably won't be using it with just one machine. I'm sure I'll be using both my laptop and desktop, neither of which have TPM chips. And by the way, all my machines are Windows based.

 

^Hidden folders + PDF password protection?

 

Use something like TrueCrypt (i know, they shut it down, you can still find it and use it). It will create an encrypted volume (folder) on the drive you can put your stuff into. Just install TC on both machines (easier than making a self extracting volume) and you are set.

 

TrueCrypt came up in a few offhand online searches. Should I be concerned that they've discontinued support and the entire project is open source?

 

Only if you are REALLY concerned about a concerted effort to access YOUR data.

Basically, there is a lot of speculation as to why they suddenly stopped the project. A few believe the encryption was too good and the Gov't said "give us a backdoor or else" and they chose the "or else" and simply closed rather than compromise the product. At least, that's what I would like to think.

Also, you can take a look at Cypherix (Encryption Software | Data Encryption Software) they have a free encryption tool ("LE") but it is limited to 100MB containers (unlimited number) or for about $50 you can have SE, which gives you unlimited 25GB containers. Cypherix uses 448bit encryption. Also, it can be setup on a USB drive to be self contained and self extracting, meaning you don't need the Cypherix software installed on the computer used to open the files.

 

prove it.
I would consider something like this that has the protection built-in - it should also have some form of physical lock on it.

 

also check this out:

Apricorn 2TB Aegis Padlock DT FIPS - USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive : Storage: Hard Drives & Storage Media | Dell

also check "Customers Who Viewed This Item Also Viewed" here:

 

I'm not so much worried about the discontinued support, I'm more concerned about somebody reverse engineering a backdoor and putting it online. Given the open source nature of TrueCrypt, is that a valid concern?

 

 

If you were in charge of nuclear launch codes, yes. For storing your own bank statements on your own external hard drives, I would not worry too much about it. Really all you are trying to do is keep prying eyes away from your data.

If you plan on using external drive(s), only attach them to the computer when they are needed.

You can use something like what Srika posted, but honestly I think it's overkill. It's generally similar encryption just "on chip" rather than as software. This is a second potential failure point that may render the data unreadable.

 

yeah I was wondering about that too - are you worried about Anonymous or the FBI hacking you or something? heh

 

Wait, litesout, do you work for Sony?

 

If I were, I would've taken the cyanide pill a long time ago. I'm really looking for a deterrent more than anything. Do you know if TrueCrypt hides the file and directory structure as well or does it work on a file by file basis? If someone does get their hands on the drive will they be able to see my Bank Statement folder, Amex folder, Home loan documents folder etc?

Thanks too Srika, but like Stogie said I think its overkill. To be fair, I usually go for the overkill solution though. I think between a software encryption layer and the usual credit bureau / bank identity theft protection I'll probably be okay.

 

The last time I used truecrypt, I think there was an option to hide file/folder names. Not sure though.

It's free. Download it and try it out on some copies of files and see how you like it.


Just to make sure you don't mess anything important up, I would start with a clean USB/external drive to get comfortable at first. No problem at all mixing encrypted and non-encrypted on a single volume/drive, but until you get a feel for the software and how it creates "containers" I wouldn't risk anything actually important.

 

No, I'm worried about some little shit breaking into my house while I'm not home and getting my Amex number off the statement and going on an online shopping spree.

Gotta hide those "productions" I've made with my ex's from the GF too

 

I plan on starting with a new external drive (which I have yet to purchase). I figured whatever drive I use the software will have to format before use. Last thing I tried to use was the SanDisk Cruzer lock that used to come on their flash drives years ago. It was terrible.

 

Most of the encryption software does not format the entire drive UNLESS you decide to make the entire drive encrypted.

Often, it only creates an encrypted volume (folder) on the drive, so no format necessary.

This allows you to store sensitive AND non sensitive data on the same drive without losing protection for the sensitive stuff. Of course you CAN employ whole disk encryption if you want...

 

 

Debenu PDF Tools Pro can add pwd protection to a pdf file (with up to AES 256):

Debenu PDF Tools Pro | PDF Automation and PDF Tasks

http://www.debenu.com/products/deskt...sword_security

 

Soooo I got an awesome birthday present today.... Rackspace called and offered me the tnt spot which will make me a network security admin II and I start Jan 12th

 

Grats!!

 

HOLY AWESOME!

Conrats!!!

I appalled your efforts to make this happen. Now don't eff it up!

 

First thing I said to myself when I hung up the phone

 

Windows 7 question...

Does anyone know of a way to prevent W7 from forcing a default folder view (details, large icons, etc) on a folder when that folder is opened from the "libraries" selections in explorer?

I hvae a folder called PICS that contains many sub-folders of photographs. the SUB folders are set to open in 'large thumbnail', but I have the top level folder PICS set to open in 'details'. When I access this PICS folder directly via explorer, the view settings are correct. When I access the PICS folder via the "Pictures Library" (it's the only folder in the "Pictures Library" for obvious reasons) the top level folder opens in 'large thumbnail' which is bugging me.

The issue only exists when I open the PICS folder from the library icon in explorer, if I browse to the folder normally, it opes the way I want.

Anyone know of a workaround?

 

Get windows 8

 

'Can it' you hoser!

Didn't know if there was a "powertoys-esque" utility to allow the change in library view.

And W7 works perfectly well, thank you.

 

None that I know of.

 

I'll have to look when I get home. Can't replicate it on the Windows XP machine here at work

 

It's a known issue Litesout with viewing through the Library shortcuts in explorer.

 

I figured. Was more lamenting on the fact that we still use XP at work. The transition to 7 has been very slow. And its a lot less about the OS, more about the antiquated PC that runs it.

 

Wow, XP.

I fired up an old netbook I had and it had XP on it...

Wiped that clean and installed Mint!

 

we are win 7 here but have XP on 2 machines to access older stuff that just won't run on Vista, 7 or 8..

 

I'm eradicating the last two XP machines from my network this month. Same with Server 2003.

 

That OS kept my family fed for over 10 years. :respect:

 

Like what? Just curious. For me it's usually 'older' games that won't run properly. Early DirectX stuff/Late 90's 3D apps.

 

Our system we use to analyse and record outages on the electric distribution system won't run on anything beyond XP. There's an upgrade in the works, but it's still in configuration so it'll be another year before it gets released into production. Getting new PC's with the upgrade too. Our current ones are old Core2Duo based Xeons with 2 gigs of ram.

 

It has to do with older HMI applications we use to connect to monitoring systems for generators. Due to the changes that came with Vista, these applications cannot run correctly and no one is going to bother updating 20+ year old software that was originally designed for Windows 3.1/95....and is written in a mix of 16/32bit code...

One of our clients has to use Windows NT 4.0 as the 1990's programs refuse to work on Win 2K and up

 

Ha yeah I have no problem with it or XP, it's just time to go



Incredible, but all too common.

 

Look for a better file manager than explorer. Their is prob a registry setting somewhere though that can fix it. Hell if I know though, haven't touched windows in ages.