Flash Drive/ file protection question

Iron City

Iron City

Joined
Jan 15, 2005
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I have recently been carrying a flash drive on my keychain to back up files, pics, mp3's and the like for both work and personal.

My question is... and really is not limited to a flash drive... but can a file folder be set up to where a password is needed to access the files contained in it? I know how to password proctect MS office type files, but wondere if a password prompt can be added to the folder the reside in.

Poked around in the various help tools for MS with no luck.
 
Have you tried magic folders?
You can password encrypt any folder or file
I have an older version I am not sure if its still around.
 
I highly recommend Folder Lock. I use it on all of my USB flash and portable HD's.
 
Some of the new Sandisk thumb drives are equipped with their own password protection systems. If the password isn't entered, the file won't open.

There is a downside in that these thumb drives are also preloaded with additional software that takes up some of the available space on the drive. My "1" GB SDK drive holds about 820 MB.

However, as you can see from the above and here, there are options available.
 
Yea , I use a program at work that does the same as those mentioned , thankfully it is small enough to not take up much space on a thumbdrive.
I'll try to post the name of it later , I believe it was freeware.
 
Yesterday, a friend of mine brought me some files on one of those USB "Thumbdrive" or "Memory Stick" things. I plugged it into my PC and noticed no little light. I thought, "That's odd. These things always have a light to let you know it's on." I pushed harder. No light. I thought, "Maybe this one doesn't have a light." But, no. My PC couldn't see the drive. Nothing. We tried a different USB port. No joy. We tried a different PC. Nothing. The Thumbdrive that had worked fine for him an hour earlier was dead. He called when he got back to his PC and confirmed that it wouldn't work for him anymore either. Fortunately, the files were on his PC, so nothing but time and frustration was lost.

I see these USB Thumbdrives getting cheaper and cheaper and cheaper every day. You've just got to know that something is being compromised.

My point is that, as handy as they are, you really shoudn't use these things as your primary backup for important files. Use them as a convenience. But don't use them for mission-critical.
 
You could also compress the files you want and password protect the compressed file. That way you get security as well as save space!
 
flava said:
I would never trust an encryption software that is accesible only as binaries.
Click to expand...

In theory that is good advice. However, how much encryption do most people really need to protect a Word document or Excel spreadsheet?

Also, password protection in MS Office is fine if you want to prevent a casual user from opening it. If you want to stop your boss at work or a government agency from opening it, you need REAL encryption.

If you are using PGP or similar encryption at work, be aware of the fact that companies tend to have "Master" keys that allow them to open stuff after you leave.
 
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