Password-Protection

[Rich]

Is there a way to encrypt, or password-protect, a simple .txt file stored in
My Documents?

I would like this file to contain all my usernames and passwords and,
therefore, would like to prevent its being seen by "prying eyes."

Thanks in advance,
Rich

 

[Mike Lieser [MSFT]]

Hello Rich,

Both items are possible.

Secure via NTFS permission.

1) Right-click on the file and choose Properties.
2) Choose the Security tab and make sure you have Full Control permissions
to the file.
3) Remove any other accounts that have permissions to this file.
4) OK out to save the changes.

NOTE: This is ONLY secure if no one else is able to log onto your system as
you and you do not leave your system unlocked and available to other people.

Encrypting the file:

1) Right-click on the file and choose Properties.
2) On the General tab, click on the Advanced button.
3) Place a check mark in for "Encrypt contents to secure data".
4) OK out to save the changes.

NOTE: This is ONLY secure if no one else is able to log onto your system as
you and you do not leave your system unlocked and available to other people.

Hope this helps!

Regards,

Mike Lieser, MCSA, MCSE, CNA
Microsoft SBS Product Support

Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security

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[Willit]

Create a zip folder. move it there. click on file from
within the zip folder, choose add password.

 

[purplehaz]

Asked and answered multiple times yesterday. Check the responses from
yesterday.

 

[Rich]

Mike,

Thanks for your prompt response. Your suggestions are exactly what I
"assumed" I'd be able to do. Unfortunately, however, there is no Security
tab, and the "Encrypt contents to secure data" option is greyed out.

This is just a simple .txt file I created in Notepad. Can you think of
anything else I can do to secure this document?

Thanks again,
Rich

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Mike,

Thanks for your prompt response. Your suggestions are exactly what I
"assumed" I'd be able to do. Unfortunately, however, there is no Security
tab, and the "Encrypt contents to secure data" option is greyed out.

This is just a simple .txt file I created in Notepad. Can you think of
anything else I can do to secure this document?

Thanks again,
Rich

If you have simple file sharing turned off and the disk is formatted to
NTFS, you won't see these options. Please note that encryption should not
be undertaken casually; if you encrypt the drive you *must* take care to
back up, verify, and safely store the security certificates. If you don't
and anything happens to your account, you will never regain access to the
encrypted files.

Aside from that, if the file is on your machine it is vulnerable. So, save
it to diskette or one of the now-common USB flash drives - they just plug
into the port, no extra parts or wires. Carry this with you and you will
not have to worry about the machine being compromised for it.

HTH
-pk

 

[purplehaz]

Drive has to be formatted in NTFS.
XP pro - in explorer: tools, folder options, view tab, uncheck: use simple
file sharing. Now the security tab shows.
In XP home:
Go to:
http://www.microsoft.com/ntserver/nts/downloads/recommended/scm/default.asp

Instructions: Download the x86 (Intel) version of the Security Configuration
Manager and save it to your hard disk. Double click the SCESP4I.EXE file
you downloaded and extract the contents to a temporary location on your hard
disk. Then open the folder you extracted the files to and locate the
Setup.inf (Setup Information) file. Right click Setup.inf and select
Install. After the installation is finished, reboot your computer.

Disclaimer: I have tested this procedure on my XP Home installation, and it
works. I cannot guarantee that it will work on your system. Make sure you
create a System Restore point before proceeding.



WARNING: Adjusting the permissions on a drive, file or folder can lock even
the Administrator account out of that drive/file/folder.

 

[Willit]

You must really not to secure that file or you do as I
said. Just create a zip folder in your "My Documents"
folder. three clicks and your done.

Create a zip folder. move it there. click on file from
within the zip folder, choose add password.