EFS - Encrypt Content not really encrypting??

[Ben]

I am starting to keep my files encrypted, but the files are readable from any
PC. I wonder if I am doing something wrong or have an error of understanding.

Activate Encryption in Vista Ultimate:
- I go to Explorer
- Right-click on a file -> Properties
- General -> Advanced -> and activate "Encrypt Contents to secure data"
- File now shows in green color

This is how I tested it:
Test 1: Winzip the File. Copy it to another Windows XP PC
Test 2: WinSCP the file to a Linux File Server, copy it from there to
another Windows XP PC

In both cases I can read the file on the other PC. What did I miss?

 

[Alun Harford]

I am starting to keep my files encrypted, but the files are readable from any
PC. I wonder if I am doing something wrong or have an error of understanding.

Activate Encryption in Vista Ultimate:
- I go to Explorer
- Right-click on a file -> Properties
- General -> Advanced -> and activate "Encrypt Contents to secure data"
- File now shows in green color

This is how I tested it:
Test 1: Winzip the File.

You just decrypted it.

Test 2: WinSCP the file to a Linux File Server

You just decrypted it.

Encrypted files are automatically decypted whenever they're used (if you
have the required key).

Alun Harford

 

[Paul Adare]

This is how I tested it:
Test 1: Winzip the File. Copy it to another Windows XP PC

You're reading the file from disk, during which process the file is
decrypted, you're then storing it in the zip format which creates a new,
unencrypted file.

Test 2: WinSCP the file to a Linux File Server, copy it from there to
another Windows XP PC

Again, you're reading the file from disk which decrypts the file, you're
then copying the decrypted bits over the network, again creating a news,
unencrypted file.

 

[Ben]

Again, you're reading the file from disk which decrypts the file, you're
then copying the decrypted bits over the network, again creating a news,
unencrypted file.

Thanks, Paul. I am getting it now. This is much easier than I thought. I was
worried that I could not access my backup files in case I loose my laptop.