Question from a newbie -- protecting files

Hi Folks,

What is the proper way to protect files on a PC (Windows XP) from
unauthorized access? I just found out that the Windows locks can easily
be broken.

Are there any programs (commercial? shareware?) that are recommended
for protecting files (locking, encypting, ...)?

Thanks, Mike

Mike <mbb@pacbell.net> wrote:
> What is the proper way to protect files on a PC (Windows XP) from
> unauthorized access?

For unauthorized access while Windows is running? ACLs in NTFS.

For unauthorized access while Windows is not running?
i.e. http://www.truecrypt.org/

Yours,
VB.
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"Mike" <mbb@pacbell.net> writes:

>Hi Folks,

>What is the proper way to protect files on a PC (Windows XP) from
>unauthorized access? I just found out that the Windows locks can easily
>be broken.

>Are there any programs (commercial? shareware?) that are recommended
>for protecting files (locking, encypting, ...)?

Sure, lots, but the question is what do you want. If you simply want to
encrypt some files one-off, then there are loads of good encryption
programs, free, which could do it. If you want to encrypt whole folders or
drives, and have it done relatively transparently, then more care and research is needed.
You also need to decide who your opponent is. If it is the gov't, you need
to do much more research than if it is your girlfiend ( unless she happens
to work at NSA or something).

>Thanks, Mike

Thanks to both of you for the responses. Since I'm pretty sure that I
am not running NTFS I'll check out encryption programs.

Thanks again, Mike