Document encryption
 

Hi, Just started a new job and have found that I'm using my own laptop for some work stuff (its a much better spec and I don't need to worry to much about the software on it.)
However I do need to secure the documents so that they cannot be read by anyone else in case (heaven forbid) someone steals my lappy.

I would like some software that would allow me to do this without needing to protect every file individually. The contents of a directory would be good if possible.

Any recomendations ?

Re: Document encryption
 

Does FolderLock do encryption? If it does it might be worth looking into as you can't even SEE the files until your password is in place.

Re: Document encryption
 

Is the laptop running XP Pro and using NTFS drives? If so, XP's built in encryption may be good enough.

To use it, right click on a folder or file, select "Properties", Click "Advanced" and then tick "Encrypt". CLick OK.

Re: Document encryption
 

You could store the files on a flash drive (I'm searching for the word in my addled brain), and keep the drive somewhere seperate to the laptop.

File encryption can be a bit of a nightmare if it goes wrong.

Re: Document encryption
 

That was the correct term anyway ;)

Re: Document encryption
 

I'll second that! My employer gave a flash drive with a "software lock", only takes a few seconds to plug in and type in the password, and re-locks when removed. However, I still have a bad habit of saving files to my desktop - nothing too sensitive, though!

Re: Document encryption
 

Well the new phrase is "thumb drive" for the small, USB drives that connect directly into a USB socket (as oppose to using a cable). Technology huh - hard to keep up :D

Re: Document encryption
 

If you like bleeding edge, one of the big plays for Vista Business is BitLocker - drive encryption that is supposed to work!
Otherwise, a USB key with builtin encryption would be good (even one with fingerprint locking?), or NTFS encryption with a digital certificate held on a USB key or smartcard.

Re: Document encryption
 

Its XP home (my PC) so that encryption is out :(

Folder locker is what I want to see. I might have to fork out but it'll be worth it. Thanks reps on the way to all.

Re: Document encryption
 

It is indeed useful, i'm sure there are even more uses for it as well.

Glad it's what you're looking for =)

Re: Document encryption
 

The flash drives come in quite large sizes these days - should have plenty of room for documents. Even if you're doing multimedia work, I think there'd still be sufficient space. I have a 1GB one that I use for backing up essential files at work - copy them to the drive and transfer them to CD at home. I shouldn't really be doing it, but nothing confidential or commercially sensitive is stored, so sssssssh :D I'd be lost without all the useful URLs, PDFs, and notes that I have stored.