There are several ways to keep your information private in Windows XP, some better than others. Depending on your needs and situation the strongest protection is not always the best.
Here I will be looking at the following ways to keep your files secret from prying eyes!
- Making My Documents private
- Password protecting a zip folder
- Truecrypt
Making My Documents private
To use this method you need to be using NTFS and have a password on your account.
Windows XP pro
1. Right click My Documents > Properties > Sharing
2. Select ‘Make this folder private so that only I have access to it‘
3. Click apply
4. Click OK
Windows XP Home Edition
- Boot into safe mode and logon to the ‘Administrator’ account
- Right click My Documents > Sharing and Security
- Click Make Folder Private
Password protecting a zip folder
- Double click your zipped folder
- Click File > Add a password
- Enter your chosen password and confirm it and click OK
When using this method please remember that the file names within the Zip file can be viewed.
Truecrypt
Website: Truecrypt
Truecrypt is a excellent encryption utility that works on all the major platforms. Without going in to technical details, basically Truecrypt adds a drive to your computer that allows you to save your work securely.
This drive is really a file, so it is portable. All you need to do is launch it through the Truecrypt software and you can use your files securely on Windows/MAC and Linux.