Password Protecting a Data CD/DVD and Removing Data from Disc...

[JerkyMyTurky]

I'm trying to do two things and I don't know if they are possible or not.

First thing, I want to back up data on to a CD or DVD (preferably DVD) and I want there to be a password in order to access the data on that disc. Is this possible to do? If so, what program is needed and how is it done? I want the data to remain on the disc at all time, I don't want to transfer it on to a hard drive to access. For example, archiving the data into RAR format with a password is not how I want to do this, as that would require spilling the data back onto the hard drive and unraring the data. I want the data to be on the disc at all times, but access to the data must be restricted somehow, either with a password or another method. If you guys have any ideas or suggestions or know of a program or way to do this, let me know.

Secondly, is there a way to delete or currupt certain files on a data disc (not re-writeable), using a program and the burner. For example, I have a disc with File A, File B and File C and I want to get File B off the disc or make that file unreadable. Is this possible? I have disc where I want to keep some files intact, while I want to get rid of others. I'm trying to avoid the process of rewriting a bunch of new discs.

All help would be appreciated. Apologies if I posted this in the wrong section.

 

[Atheus]

Originally posted by: JerkyMyTurky
I'm trying to do two things and I don't know if they are possible or not.

First thing, I want to back up data on to a CD or DVD (preferably DVD) and I want there to be a password in order to access the data on that disc. Is this possible to do? If so, what program is needed and how is it done?

You need to encrypt the data to make it unreadable and keep the key. This is your 'password'. You are looking for an implementation of a standard symmetric cypher, such as blowfish, as opposed to asymmetric (public key) systems you may have heard of which are used on the internet.

I want the data to remain on the disc at all time, I don't want to transfer it on to a hard drive to access. For example, archiving the data into RAR format with a password is not how I want to do this, as that would require spilling the data back onto the hard drive and unraring the data.

Not really, you could RAR it up in parts and then extract to memory as you need it... You are going to have this issue anyway, whatever you do, some processing will be required to get at the data. Think about it - if no unpacking/decrypting was required then it would be in plaintext form and anyone could access it password or not.

Secondly, is there a way to delete or currupt certain files on a data disc (not re-writeable), using a program and the burner. For example, I have a disc with File A, File B and File C and I want to get File B off the disc or make that file unreadable. Is this possible? I have disc where I want to keep some files intact, while I want to get rid of others. I'm trying to avoid the process of rewriting a bunch of new discs.

You answered your own question here. It's non-rewritable.