How Secure is Password Protected Excel File?

[mtnagel]

I have an Excel file that I use as a check book register (I know I'm a dork) and I have a password on the file, but I was wondering how secure that is?

Thanks
Matthew

 

[eigen]

Depends on from who. Your spouse proabably, me not likely, someone really determined not at all.

All passwords can be brute forced. To increase the time it would take increase the keyspace i.e. make the password longer.

 

[Todd33]

Well, 99.99% of the worlds population is either a) Lazy b) Stupid c) Uses two rocks as a computer or d) Doesn't care about your finances. So, you just have to worry about the highly educated, highly motivated and technology endowed 0.01%.

I know that doesn't help. what bit encryption is it 128?

 

[mtnagel]

Thanks for the quick responses. I'm sure no one really cares about my money (especially because there's not much of it), but let me explain my plan. Right now I back up my documents to DVD, but the check book register file is updated more frequently than most other files and it would suck to lose that one. So, I was thinking that I could just upload it to my server space from my ISP, where it's safe should I lose the hard drive or whatever. So, can I password protect the file on my server space? If not, it would just be sitting out there for anyone to find, though I don't know how easy that would be either.

So is my plan horrible and should I just stick to the DVD back-up?

Thanks again
Matthew

 

[Todd33]

Nah, it would be one file in a sea of billions. Just rename it like 'temp.raw' or something generic, no one would know it's an excel file without probing it. It's hard enough to find stuff you are looking for on the net, let alone the stuff you are not aware of.

 

[mtnagel]

That's kind of what I figured. And, I'm trying to think if it would be a big deal it someone saw my check book register anyway. What if someone lost their paper one, would that be a big deal? Maybe if I was a millionaire and I didn't want someone to try to steal my money from my back account, but we're talking in the small 4 figures here.