computers

[azassabi]

Is it possible to encrypt a FOLDER (not files only) so that no body knows the contents whether they r texts or photos?

[Marcus-2001]

Yes, it's free but not that easy to use....

http://www.truecrypt.org/

[rojash]

or
http://www.kryptel.com/products/kryptel/

It's not free, but it's easy to use

[kees2k]

Folder Lock (not free) http://www.newsoftwares.net/

[ACtheTROLL]

can I see the porn when you've done with it?
(wash your hands first though)

[fo3nix]

How paranoid are you?

If you just want to protect the stuff from your sister, I believe Windows lets you password protect folders. Not much encryption though.

If you want real protection, you could try TrueCrypt. However, it's dodgy software, and I wouldn't use it as it can't be trusted remotely.

I recommend GPG, specifically gpg4win if you use windows.

http://www.gpg4win.org/

Download and install that, generate some keys (keep them very close to you!), and then you can encrypt anything you like with it.

Zip a folder up, then encrypt the zip file to zip lots of files together.

[LeMarchand]

What's wrong with TrueCrypt? Curious as it's approved/suggested by people like BECTA...

[ACtheTROLL]

fo3
truecrypt not reliable?
you surprise me - I've always found it solid - what problems?
we even ditched pgp

I've used it for years
containers up to 25Gb - single file ... never had any problems with the package - nor anyone else I know of at work.

[beso]

Anyone who claiming TrueCrypt is bad is either trying to sell you something or intimidated by the amount of information provided by TrueCrypt.

The help is incredibly extensive and clearly explains how to use it to the greatest effect such as might be needed for an international spy.

Most users can simply install and use it without being concerned with the advanced techniques. Its UI is extremely well designed and it could not be easier to use.

The other paid alternatives simply don't bother to explain the vulnerabilities that would allow highly skilled investigators to access your data. These vulnerabilities are inherant in running any encryption software unless the techniques explained by TrueCrypt are followed.

[fo3nix]

I'm not saying that it's not solid software, or that the help isn't extensive, or that it works 'well'.

For open source software, they don't use the usual models (bug tracking software, easy reporting from other developers, etc.). It's not straightforward to compile straight from source, and the licenses restrict distros like Debian from packaging it.

I can't find much more than this article (linked below), which is a bit tin-foil hat. But I have read articles with more standing behind them, saying similar things.

So I'm keeping with GnuPG. It's free software, you can easily compile from source, and it works very well.

beso: I'm definitely not trying to sell anything (any security software should be free (open source) software), and I'm not intimidated by the information.

http://www.derkeiler.com/Newsgroups/sci.crypt/ 2005-02/2356.html

[ACtheTROLL]

interesting fo3
I take your point

beso - I think you are off base - fo3 is a bit of a linux nut - but other than that I respect his opinion ;-)- he's definitely not a salesman or scammer - and he always (in my experience) has a solid reason for what he says (I don't always agree - but that's why other opinions are valuable)

in this case ... I think it's a valid suspicion if you believe some of the backdoor conspiracy theories - encryption isn't neceseraly as tough as it could be - pgp had a similar rep
some years ago

we use it to keep stuff safe round work - away from casual pokers - not to foil national security - truecrypt doesn't phone home ... and it does do what we want

but mmmm I wonder how secure your stuff would be if the men in black were to call

[fo3nix]

I have to say that I did use to use TrueCrypt a year or so ago, but have now converted all my encrypted archives to just zips and gnupg.

I also used to use PGP. GPG does exactly the same job (complies to the same standards), but is free and open source. As I don't know or trust the guys running PGP personally, I prefer to use GPG since it's been more thoroughly tested by experts (given that it's open source).

Then again, I care more about good security than most.

On a side note, Schneier uses PGP disk encryption. However, he knows and trusts some of the guys at the top of the company.