using EFS with temp directory in XP Professional

[Linda]

Hi,
To protect my privacy, I have encrypted the folders
under "My Documents" using Windows XP EFS. (I am using
XP Professional.) However, I know that many applications
write temporary copies of documents to the temp
directory. Is it advisable to encrypt the temp directory
also? Or will this interfere with the proper functioning
of applications, or the OS? Also, can I determine the
temp directory by opening a DOS window and typing
echo %temp%

I also have a general question about EFS. My question
regards the private key that is used to decrypt the keys
that are used to encrypt/decrypt files in encrypted
directories. How is this private key protected? Is it
encrypted with the password that I use to login to
Windows? How strong is this protection?
Thanks,
Linda

 

[Mike Bright MSP]

Doing an Echo %temp% will return the path of the Temp
directory in relation to the current user.

i.e.
c:\documents and settings\username\Local Settings\Temp

As for the enrcyption interfering with the program, in
theory it should not, but sometimes application's can do
strange things. Try it see what happens, my bet is not a
lot.

In relation to you wanting to know about the EFS, the
below link have some very good info, the first about how
to use it. The second is more about how it works.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/planning/sec
urity/efssteps.asp

http://www.serverwatch.com/tutorials/article.php/2106831

Hope this helps

Mike Bright MCP, MSP

e:[email protected]