File encryption with XP Pro

[DR]

I want to encrypt all files of a specifc type in a directory. Like all *.doc
and *.txt, because they contain critical data (I will travel with my
notebook and might loose it). Encrypting all files would take too long. How
to do this?

And how are the files encrypted? Using the login password of the current
user? and what if the user changes the password? All files are re-encrypted
with the new password?

thanks

 

[Bob I]

What you request is not an option with EFS. Please see the information
available under Start, Help and support, EFS

 

[Eric Renken]

The way I would do those specific files is to do a Search for them and then
select ALL of them in the list, and from there go to the properties to
encrypt. You would have to Encrypt any new files manually.

It does encrypt by the user who is logged in. I'm not sure how it does it
but you don't have to worry about changing passwords. I think it keys off
the security ID that Windows gives the user.

 

[Ron Bogart]

In

I want to encrypt all files of a specifc type in a directory. Like
all *.doc and *.txt, because they contain critical data (I will
travel with my notebook and might loose it). Encrypting all files
would take too long. How to do this?

And how are the files encrypted? Using the login password of the
current user? and what if the user changes the password? All files
are re-encrypted with the new password?

thanks

Once you do as suggested - export and *SAVE* your Encrytion Key in a safe
place - should you ever have to reinstall XP or have a major crash - you
will not be able to access these files without it!!!

 

[Alex Nichol]

I want to encrypt all files of a specifc type in a directory. Like all *.doc
and *.txt, because they contain critical data (I will travel with my
notebook and might loose it). Encrypting all files would take too long. How
to do this?

And how are the files encrypted? Using the login password of the current
user? and what if the user changes the password? All files are re-encrypted
with the new password?

The encryption needs careful handling. You can apply to all files in a
folder , which would be the approach, and it is handled in the XP Pro
support of NTFS (it is *not* available in Home). It is essential then
to back up the 'certificates' off the machine against possible need: the
encryption is highest security and without being able to recover the
certificates the files might become irretrievable. The encryption is
then totally transparent to the user account that owns them, once that
account logs on. So in practice they are no more secure than the
passwording of that account; probably not that good. I would really
suggest a third party password protection pack to use an independent
password, and having intermediate security as being a better method

 

[NobodyMan]

In

Once you do as suggested - export and *SAVE* your Encrytion Key in a safe
place - should you ever have to reinstall XP or have a major crash - you
will not be able to access these files without it!!!

Futhermore, your encryption keys are not based on your password. They
are tied to your Security Identifier, or SID, which is unique to each
user in the workgroup or domain. It will remain the same whether you
change your password or not. If you are forced to delete your user
account then create a new, identically names user account, then the
SID will change and unless you exported your encryption certificates
then those files would be lost - forever.

What national secrets are you trying to protect? 99.9 percent of home
users have absolutely no need for the level of encryption provided by
Pro, which is virtually uncrackable. Those who use it lightly are
almost certain to lose the data forever. Also, thought the encryption
is strong, it is still transparent while you are logged on, making it
only as strong as your password. Given a choice, most users create
siimple, easy to guess passwords, making your encryption pointless.

My advice: stay away from encryption. Don't use it.