how to passw protect folders in win 98

[patrickp]

Hi guys,
just wandering if anybody knows how to protect my folder (ex-girlfriends-pics) with a password so my current girlfriend can't delete or view them. I am using win 98 and don't have a zipdrive or something else.
She is very nosy so I have to act fast.
Any idea is higly appreciated.
Thanks, Patrick

[RayH]

As a TEMPORARY measure, you can make the folder HIDDEN! Since it doesn't normally appear on the computer, maybe new girlfriend won't hunt for it.

But for double protection, go up to SHAREWARE.COM (http://www.shareware.com) and search either passwords or folder security. They have a couple or three sharewares that will do it.

[LittleKing]

Well, this might be of some help, but could be annoying as well. I'm pretty sure this will work in '98 although I know it works in '95.

Open a DOS prompt and goto the directory with the files and back up one level. Next create a folder. However, this isn't going to be any folder. Use a ASCII key combination. The one I always used was hold down the 'ALT' key and then type the numbers 2-1-9 in sequence. You end up with this symbol ¨€. (I hope this works on the board) Then you move all your files into this directory while you are still at the DOS prompt. If it works right, you can't access this folder under normal windows mode, only in DOS mode. When ever you want to see the files just open a DOS prompt and move the files out.

I figured this out when I was playing around with BASIC and I learned some ASCII key commands and I thought it was the neatest thing. Anyway, like I said before I know it works in '95 not sure in '98, and it will not work in 2000. Other than this method you will have to find a password the files because '98 doesn't support it (I believe 2000 does however).

Oh wait I just thought of another option. You could make them into a zip file and password the zip. Might be a little quicker.

Anyway, have fun.

LK

[Steve R Jones]

Folder Guard - Powerful Security Software

What you can do with Folder Guard:

Actually hide files and folders
Make files and folders read-only for real
Protect files and folders with passwords
Prevent users from installing unauthorized programs
Prevent users from running programs from the floppy disks
Prevent users from reformatting local drives
Restrict access to the Dial-Up Networking settings
Prevent access to the Date/Time settings
Monitor the logon and disable the CANCEL button on the password window
Restrict access to Control Panel and other resources
Restrict software downloads from the Internet
Restrict the Save As Wallpaper command
And much more...
http://www.winability.com/folderguard/

[shadow]

That looks like a very nice program Steve.
I gave it a quick trial tonight, very cool so far! Hide em completely, restict em, show the folder but with no contents, it has some great options.
Thanks for the link http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Dave_H]

Steve or Shadow,
I'm curious and couldn't find this on there site. How obvious to another user is Folder Gaurd? Is it something that can be turned off and still protect files and folders, or does it allways have to be running and have an icon in the system tray?
Thanks in advance.
Dave

[CMonster]

Folder Guard is a security JOKE! It will keep a 5-year old out of your files. For real security you need encryption. Here is an actual excerpt from the Folder Guard tutorial: "Folder Guard is a powerful, but not an omnipotent, tool. Here are some important limitations you should be aware of before you start using Folder Guard:

-Folder Guard cannot restrict access to the virtual folders such as My Computer. Only real files and folders - the ones which actually exist on your disk(s) - can be restricted with it. Folder Guard, however, does provide a way to restrict some common virtual folders, such as Desktop and Control Panel (see permissions in this Help for more information).

- The protection is not activated if you boot Windows in the safe or command prompt only mode. You can restrict booting Windows in these modes, though, by modifying the MSDOS.SYS file.

- Folder Guard does not protect information from system tools that directly access the contents of the drives. You can, however, prevent access to such tools by restricting access to them with Folder Guard.

- Folder Guard does not protect network resources, except for the shared folders mapped to drive letters. To protect other resources, use the built-in security features of the network.

- Folder Guard cannot protect your computer from a hammer, fire, or robbery <g>.



Note: Folder Guard helps you protect files and folders from the prying eyes of most Windows users. This protection, however, is not intended to withstand attack by anyone who has sufficient time (that is, unsupervised access to your computer) and expertise."

[This message has been edited by CMonster (edited 02-08-2001).]

[shadow]

True it is "kiddie" security, but thats exactly what I could use it for, my kids.
To restrict access to certain things to them and their friends who use their computer.
They dont have the expertise to find their way by this program.....yet.

[patrickp]

Hey thanks,
I will stick with Rays idea of make the files hidden, that is exactly the right thing. Although the files appear as hidden in exclamation marks she will never figure out how to make them viewable or what it means at all.
As for folder guard I think it's a little pricy 49,99 $.
Thanks everybody. Patrick

I've heard that you can make a complete partition disappear in partition magic.
It that any good?

[voogru]

what i do is rename the Pics from pictuer001.jpg to something like system.dll i also like changing the filenames to .inf .ini .txt .exe etc. but be careful acdsee is smart and will show the pics after clciking on them!

Or you can put all the pics into a *.zip file and rename the zip to .dll .ini .inf and you can also password prtect it http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

good luck

-voogru

[Dave_H]

Thanks CMonster, that may not work because my Wife is a little older than 5. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

Seriously, I was also looking for a utility that could password protect a folder just to make it quicker and easier to open it and toss in some more files and be done.
Here is something you may want to look at Patrick. Since this utility is encrypting the data, it takes a few steps and maybe around a half minute or so to encrypt a file.
It's great for things you don't need to get to everyday.
The free version is not time limited and will work forever but has a low encryption rate. You can also make self-extracting files that can be opened on systems that don't have the utility installed. It would be very similar in use to zipping something with a password.
PC-Encrypt (http://www.pc-encrypt.com/_site/pce/index.mhtml)
Dave

[patrickp]

Hey Dave,
That was a good one. I downloaded pcencrypt and was able to encrypt and decrypt all my stuff right away. Tested it and couldn't get it to run or open folders without pass, really cool,only thing that bothers is that you have to click away the register message all the time but who cares for one click.

one concern: the deleting process of all the files you encrypt; doesn't it fragment your hdd everytime you delete and rewrite all the files?
Thanks again and to everybody
i can only recommend pcencypt

[greenlion]

Another program similar to Folder Guard is Paranoid. A freeware you can get from www.nonags.com (http://www.nonags.com)

[greenlion]

I went to nonags but couldn't find Paranoid there anymore.

You can download it from this link though:
http://home.earthlink.net/~ockham07/paranoid.zip