Securing a folder or folders

Hi,

I have a folder on my pc that contains confidential information.

I am wondering if the best way for me to secure this information is
simply to create another user account for others to use. For example,
in the event that the pc needs to be repaired.

Would this be the best way to secure confidential information, or is
there a better method

Thanks

Ps os is Vista Home Premium 32 bit

There is no 100% solution here. Security involves making it too hard to get
at the data - so that the bad guys won't bother you. A different user
account will not be effective for this.

1) Encrypt the information so that no one can access it without the password.
2) Store the information on a removable drive - that'll make it more
difficult to access.
3) Don't allow others access to the system without your supervision.

"You're not being paranoid if they really are out to get you!"

- John

"species8350" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I have a folder on my pc that contains confidential information.
>
> I am wondering if the best way for me to secure this information is
> simply to create another user account for others to use. For example,
> in the event that the pc needs to be repaired.
>
> Would this be the best way to secure confidential information, or is
> there a better method
>
> Thanks
>
> Ps os is Vista Home Premium 32 bit
>

Hi,

Encryption is the best way, but creating another user account for others and
passwording yours (use complex passwords, not simple ones) should be
sufficient for most people.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"species8350" <> wrote in message
news:9eeedbba-fc83-48c1-82ee-...
> Hi,
>
> I have a folder on my pc that contains confidential information.
>
> I am wondering if the best way for me to secure this information is
> simply to create another user account for others to use. For example,
> in the event that the pc needs to be repaired.
>
> Would this be the best way to secure confidential information, or is
> there a better method
>
> Thanks
>
> Ps os is Vista Home Premium 32 bit

On Nov 8, 12:45*pm, "Rick Rogers" <r...@mvps.org> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Encryption is the best way, but creating another user account for others and
> passwording yours (use complex passwords, not simple ones) should be
> sufficient for most people.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVPhttp://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Windows help -www.rickrogers.org
> My thoughtshttp://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>
> "species8350" <not_here.5.species8...@xoxy.net> wrote in message
>
> news:9eeedbba-fc83-48c1-82ee-...
>
>
>
> > Hi,
>
> > I have a folder on my pc that contains confidential information.
>
> > I am wondering if the best way for me to secure this information is
> > simply to create another user account for others to use. For example,
> > in the event that the pc needs to be repaired.
>
> > Would this be the best way to secure confidential information, or is
> > there a better method
>
> > Thanks
>
> > Ps os is Vista Home Premium 32 bit- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Hi,

I thought that creating another (guest account) would foil others.

I don't understand how someone using the guest account could get
access to my files (I think that John sees this as a real
possibility).

I have wondered if someone could gain access through set-up, after
rebooting, and gaining access before Windows. Is this possible?

However, encryption does seem foolproof.

Best wishes

S

Hi,

If the accounts have the same level of authority (ie: both are admin or both
are standard users), then it is a matter or altering permissions to gain
access to another user account's files. If your account is admin and the
other is standard, then this will not be the case.

Be aware that given physical access to a machine, most knowledgeable
techie-types can gain access to data. Encrypting the drive makes it
extremely difficult if not impossible. Keep in mind too that if you use this
method and have a system failure, you may not be able to access it either
without a recovery agent.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"species8350" <> wrote in message
news:3e845c4a-58ed-40ec-a0bd-...
On Nov 8, 12:45 pm, "Rick Rogers" <r...@mvps.org> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Encryption is the best way, but creating another user account for others
> and
> passwording yours (use complex passwords, not simple ones) should be
> sufficient for most people.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft
> MVPhttp://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Windows help -www.rickrogers.org
> My thoughtshttp://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>
> "species8350" <not_here.5.species8...@xoxy.net> wrote in message
>
> news:9eeedbba-fc83-48c1-82ee-...
>
>
>
> > Hi,
>
> > I have a folder on my pc that contains confidential information.
>
> > I am wondering if the best way for me to secure this information is
> > simply to create another user account for others to use. For example,
> > in the event that the pc needs to be repaired.
>
> > Would this be the best way to secure confidential information, or is
> > there a better method
>
> > Thanks
>
> > Ps os is Vista Home Premium 32 bit- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Hi,

I thought that creating another (guest account) would foil others.

I don't understand how someone using the guest account could get
access to my files (I think that John sees this as a real
possibility).

I have wondered if someone could gain access through set-up, after
rebooting, and gaining access before Windows. Is this possible?

However, encryption does seem foolproof.

Best wishes

S