12-02-2007, 12:06 PM
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 | Desi Club Badshah | | |
  Re: ~ A Tip A Day ~
02 December 2007:
Encrypt Your Data If a criminal steals or hacks into your computer, would he or she be able to view your private data? If you haven’t encrypted your files, the answer is “Yes.” If you have ever seen a spy movie, you know that encryption is the process of
transforming your data into a secret code that can be viewed only by people with the correct password.With the crime of identity theft growing worse each year, encryption has become a vital part of protecting yourself from high-tech hoodlums. Encryption Software A variety of software manufacturers have encryption programs that you can
download from the Internet. Some may take a bite out of your wallet, but others will only set you back a few bucks.Your best bet is to select one that provides reliable technical support, which will be crucial if you ever encrypt your data and then can’t unlock it. Here are some encryption software you can purchase:
• BestCrypt (http://www.jetico.com)
• CryptoForge (http://www.cryptoforge.com)
• WinZip (http://www.winzip.com)
• Steganos Safe 8 (http://www.steganos.com)
• DriveCrypt (http://www.securstar.com)
• Turbocrypt (http://www.pmc-ciphers.com)
• Cryptainer (http://www.cypherix.com)
• Secure IT (http://www.cypherix.com)
• PGP Corporation (http://www.pgp.com) Windows Encryption (XP Professional Edition Only) Using XP Pro’s built-in encryption software is just as easy as working with
normal, everyday files.
Note This encryption requires the NTFS file system. Follow these steps to encrypt a file:
1. Right-click the file you want to encrypt.
2. Select Properties.
3. A window opens. Under the General tab, click the Advanced button.
4. A window opens. At the bottom of it, put a checkmark in the Encrypt Contents to Secure Data box). If this option is grayed out, then Windows encryption is not available and you need to install a separate encryption program.
5. Click the OK button.
6. Click the Apply button.
7. A message asks you if you want to encrypt just the file or encrypt it and the folder it is stored in. If the file is one that you plan to make changes to, then choose to encrypt it and its folder. This ensures that the file remains encrypted.
8. Click the OK button.
The name of the file has green letters instead of the usual black letters. This indicates your file is properly encrypted.
Follow these steps to encrypt a folder:
1. Right-click the folder you want to encrypt.
2. Select Properties.
3. A window opens. Under the General tab, click the Advanced button.
4. A window opens. At the bottom of it, put a checkmark in the Encrypt Contents to Secure Data box. If this option is grayed out, then Windows encryption is not available and you need to install a separate encryption program.
5. Click the OK button.
6. Click the Apply button.
7. A message asks you if you want to encrypt just the folder or encrypt it and all of the other folders inside of it (as well as the files in those other folders). If you are encrypting an important folder like My Documents, you should choose to encrypt the folder and its subfolders so that all of your sensitive documents are protected.
8. Click the OK button.
The name of the folder has green letters instead of the usual black letters. This indicates your folder is properly encrypted. Note Any files you add to an encrypted folder automatically become encrypted. |