How do I password protect files in Win.98se?

[NewJack]

Is there a way to password protect files in Windows 98se? If so, please explain how to do this.

 

[compuwiz1]

Really the only way to protect your files in win98 (which is not very secure), is put a password in the bios and shut down when you are away. Even then, most savy pc people can simply clear the CMOS and get past it, if they take the trouble to open up your box. Screen saver password is actually better than the windows logon password. All you have to do with that one is hit cancel and you're past it.

 

[NewJack]

Is there a way to password protect an individual FOLDER? I just want to protect certain folders containing personal information that I have on my hard drive.

 

[Motorheader]

Not without a utility such as Winlock. Windows9x does not have that type of security capability built into the OS by default. Some basic stuff can be done with policy editor (poledit), but other than that you do need another program to achieve what you are trying to do.

 

[Moonbender]

Motorheader is right, there is no way you can savely password protect files or folders without some help. There are some tricks to make some folders with special names disappear, but that's more for fun than for security.

There are lots of possible choices on http://www.tucows.de/security95.html
Especially Folder Guard would seem to be what you're looking for:
http://www.fileflash.com/index.asp?action=info&program=1318
I think there's also a program of the Norton Utilities suite that protects files/folders.

Another VERY easy way to protect data is to use a compression like ZIP, RAR or ACE. All of these offer some kind of protection, and AFAIK the algorithms used are quite good too, the only way to crack them is by guessing brute force, ie trying all possible combinations.
Just compress the files with a passwords (if you care for the extra speed, you can also disable the actual compression). Accessing isn't as comfortable as with uncompressed files, of course.

 

[mikelou26]

just put one at start up
and one up on bios
and one up at start up
and for ever min
put a screen saver password

or just get win 2000

 

[NewJack]

Moonbender- Your advice was very helpful- Thanks

 

[etech]

One other option if you are using MS Office. MS Word and Excel have the ability to password protect files. If you have it and can put the info into that form it is fairly secure.

 

[dexmanone]

There might be one here, including the WinLock mentioned before. Good luck.

Passwords

 

[NewJack]

Thanks Dexmanone, that link to File Dudes provided we with a wealth of Security Apps. http://filedudes.aci.on.ca/win95/

 

[Mark R]

There is an excellent 'secure drive' program which comes with PGP.

Unfortunately, this function was removed from the free PGP a couple of versions ago.

You have 2 options: buy PGP secure desktop (I think it's about $20), or you can download the older freeware version (e.g. PGP 6.0.2). Look on any major mirror site for it.

If you want unparalleled security, and the ease of use that simply using a new drive letter, then I you should consider this approach.

 

[geoff2k]

> One other option if you are using MS Office. MS Word and Excel
> have the ability to password protect files. If you have it and can
> put the info into that form it is fairly secure.

I thought most of the password schemes used by Micro$oft products had been broken and could easily be circumvented by readily available programs? Or has that changed with the newer versions of Office?

 

[vi edit]

geoff2k, you are correct. I paid $5 for a word macro that hacks passwords.

I had to get it because a user quit and had a bunch of important documents password protected.