Windows 7: Can you password protect files/external HD's

Hello I friend of mine asked me yesterday if you can password protect certain files on your HD. He also asked if you can password protect an external HD.

If so how can you do this?



Thanks mike

yes, and yes. In win 7 you can do it. instructions here http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000705.htm. also there are plenty of good (and somewhat more flexible) apps

Good Luck. and do yourself a favor DONT LOOSE/FORGET the password, or you can kiss those files good buy

Ken J+

Best is to encrypt it. In Ultimate you can use BitLocker.

Ok thanks alot guys. I forgot to ask though can you do this on vista as well?

Mike

Of course. Vista and Windows 7.

Being in the forensic field, I just have to wonder why the average would feel the need to password protect or encrypt their files.

I;m not saying this about any one of the people who posted, but to me it seems that something illegal might be going on, or maybe they don't want their wife to see his porn collection

Anyway you look at it, if the computer was seized by a certified Forensic examiner, they could find almost every shred of evidence, including deleted file, slack space, unallocated space.. Also e-mails whether web-based or residing on the hard drive.

You might try this:

TrueCrypt - Free Open-Source On-The-Fly Disk Encryption Software for Windows 7/Vista/XP, Mac OS X and Linux

Can easily be cracked

TrueCrypt cracked - Google Search

Interesting, but it seems to me that it depends on how you define "easily". Any encryption can be defeated if you have the passwords, so if the owner or computer is put under enough scrutiny/pressure, nothing could remain secret.

Although I didn't read them, I saw some of the returns that suggested that the passwords could be defeated by a dictionary attack, but then again, it would require a knowledgeable and determined hacker to make that work.

I guess that it depends on the environment that a person might feel that the computer or self would be subjected to. Is there such a thing as a perfect solution?

Ok thanks guys for the help/info. I don't know about others here but I use my computer at work and there are files with passwords and bank stuff I don't want people to see if I forget to lock the computer. Plus my girlfriends kids sometimes very rarely will use it.