File encryption

Started by Broadback, Jun 07, 2010, 17:22:50

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Broadback

Up to now I have used a free program (Encrypt files) finding it straightforward and easy to use. Sadly it does not seem to work with Windows 7. I have had a Google, all the other free programs out there seem very complicated and convolute. Any suggestions and ideas please? TIA
Nothing is perfect, not even my ignorance!

Rik

How do you use your encrypted files, BB, ie do you decrypt and re-encrypt or do you just encrypt 'dead' files?
Rik
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This post reflects my own views, opinions and experience, not those of IDNet.

drummer

To stay is death but to flee is life.

Broadback

Quote from: Rik on Jun 07, 2010, 17:58:16
How do you use your encrypted files, BB, ie do you decrypt and re-encrypt or do you just encrypt 'dead' files?
Not sue what you mean by Dead files, I simply encrypt the file, then when I need to use it decrypt it, recrypting again when finished.
Nothing is perfect, not even my ignorance!

pctech

He means files you don't use regularly BB.

Rik

I do indeed. I'm just wondering whether TrueCrypt might meet your needs, BB.
Rik
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This post reflects my own views, opinions and experience, not those of IDNet.

Steve

I agree Rik, TrueCrpyt looks useful
Steve
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This post reflects my own views, opinions and experience, not those of IDNet.

Broadback

I only use it for one file, that contains all my passwords, I know the theory that you should not write them down, but that is not practicable for my little brain. These days I have to look at my passport at time to remember my name! Now where did I put my passport?
Nothing is perfect, not even my ignorance!

Broadback

I find Truecript unnecessarily complex.
Nothing is perfect, not even my ignorance!

Rik

That's why I was asking what you were looking to do, exactly. You could try Top Secret.
Rik
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This post reflects my own views, opinions and experience, not those of IDNet.

Steve

Or zip it with a password,but then you'll need to remember the password. >:D
Steve
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Technical Ben

Simple solution. Print off the list, and put it in a locked money box or till box. Keep the key on yourself at all times. Or you can use one of the Firefox add-ons that automatically gives you high security passwords, and encrypts the saved files for you...  There are a few, but I don't use any so don;t know what to recommend.
I use to have a signature, then it all changed to chip and pin.

john

I use 'gvim ' to edit text files which is similar to the UNIX 'vi' editor. You can encypt files simply by using the :X command and it will prompt you to enter and confirm a key. Once the file has been saved then opening it again you will be prompted for the key. If you enter an incorrrect key then the file is unreadable.

i.e. if the contents of the file are 'abcd efg hij klm nop qrst uvw xyz' then entering a wrong key produces something like '"~Ñä™Lkº0O¬‰?"(¤¸WGUäêɲ%XÏs½´!—Ö'.


Unfortunately it does mean you have to know how to use at least the basics of the gvim editor though.

JB

Quote from: Broadback on Jun 07, 2010, 18:35:49
I find Truecript unnecessarily complex.
Sorry to hear that. I run Truecrypt (standalone) from a USB stick. I find it great.

If you are just saving one file, why not just ZIP it up and password protect the ZIP file? I do that with my main password file that I take between UK and Spain. Only proviso is to beware of the temporary file that some ZIP programs generate when you are viewing your original file.
JB

'Keyboard not detected ~ Press F1 to continue'

Rik

What's the weather like over there atm, JB?
Rik
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JB

I don't think you would like it Rik. Sitting out on the balcony with the NC10 and it's still 26C at 2138 local.

Cut the hedge today. All round the property, took all day.

Just relaxing with a post dinner drink. Maybe rain at the end of the week - but warm.
JB

'Keyboard not detected ~ Press F1 to continue'

Rik

We have the rain and the cool. TBH, that suits me, but I'll bet there's a few here envying you, JB. (Plus others wondering what I'm talking about. ;))
Rik
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This post reflects my own views, opinions and experience, not those of IDNet.

esh

How hard an encryption are you looking for? If you want something crude and simple then an xor key can be done very very quickly without much effort. Otherwise TrueCrypt is what you want -- if you are actually serious about encryption. I tend to use this on any private/science data when I cross country borders (which is fairly often). If you perform a two level encryption method and then some classic obfuscation it will take a lot of effort to find, let alone crack.
CompuServe 28.8k/33.6k 1994-1998, BT 56k 1998-2001, NTL Cable 512k 2001-2004, 2x F2S 1M 2004-2008, IDNet 8M 2008 - LLU 11M 2011

MisterW

QuoteI only use it for one file, that contains all my passwords,
have you looked at Keepass http://keepass.info/ .  The encrypted file is compatible between versions running on Windows, Linux, OSx and even SmartPhones. You can even have a portable version on a USB stick, Windows only.

nowster

One thing to note is that the encryption on ZIP files was cracked years ago.

Don't forget GnuPG (a PGP clone). You can use it in "symmetric" (ie. single password, not public key) mode.

JB

Quote from: nowster on Jun 13, 2010, 18:32:00
One thing to note is that the encryption on ZIP files was cracked years ago.
Be grateful if you can point me to a URL that covers this without using a 'bruteforce' or 'wordlist' approach.
JB

'Keyboard not detected ~ Press F1 to continue'

nowster

Quote from: 6jb on Jun 13, 2010, 21:17:44
Be grateful if you can point me to a URL that covers this without using a 'bruteforce' or 'wordlist' approach.
A brute force attack on the original ZIP encryption algorithm is doable on modern processors in at most an hour. (It took about a day on 33MHz CPUs.)

Having looked into it more deeply, later versions of some ZIP programs can use more secure encryption algorithms (eg. AES). Even so, this might not be their default behaviour.

Ray

I use Stuffit deluxe to produce encrypted archives, that currently uses 512-bit RC4 encryption, don't know how secure that is though.
Ray
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This post reflects my own views, opinions and experience, not those of IDNet.

esh

RC4 is a stream cypher (as opposed to a block level cypher) so I believe it has been analysed for weaknesses. 512 bit obviously helps a lot against random bruteforce attacks. I would think AES would top it in every respect, as would RC5, but then I imagine it is vastly better than 3DES, though that isn't really hard.

Good enough if you're avoiding random prodding at least :)
CompuServe 28.8k/33.6k 1994-1998, BT 56k 1998-2001, NTL Cable 512k 2001-2004, 2x F2S 1M 2004-2008, IDNet 8M 2008 - LLU 11M 2011

Broadback

Quote from: MisterW on Jun 13, 2010, 15:19:14
have you looked at Keepass http://keepass.info/ .  The encrypted file is compatible between versions running on Windows, Linux, OSx and even SmartPhones. You can even have a portable version on a USB stick, Windows only.
Thanks for that, I am now using Keepass, not as comfortable with it, but it does what I want, am sure that with usage it will become excellent.
Nothing is perfect, not even my ignorance!