which is the best file hiding software

[o0O0o.o0O0o]

hi ,

I want to hide some files and folders.
Which is the best and easy to use software for that.

Something like a hot key should make the files visisble and hot key to make them invisible

[oracleguy]

Any program to do that is probably only going to work on computers where the program has been installed, otherwise the files will be visible. You are better off encrypting the files instead. For that you can use something like OpenPGP.

[o0O0o.o0O0o]

Its all right if that applies on only that compuer only . Have about 1TB of data i want to hide from other persons using same computer.

[oracleguy]

Why not just set the security permissions up so the other user accounts can't access the folders that data is in then?

[o0O0o.o0O0o]

Usually when someone comes in , it does'nt looks nice to log off and then log with other username.

usually people have the habit to scan through all the folders and see its content. so i want to be safe.


Usually like Folder Guard but thats not good , we have to enter password. I want a simple hotkey so that if i see someone coming , i can hide the folders and user doesn't notice that

[Fou-Lu]

Usually when someone comes in , it does'nt looks nice to log off and then log with other username.

usually people have the habit to scan through all the folders and see its content. so i want to be safe.


Usually like Folder Guard but thats not good , we have to enter password. I want a simple hotkey so that if i see someone coming , i can hide the folders and user doesn't notice that

Create a standard user account for yourself, add administrative tools and remote administration. Runas also works. The bonus side effect is that if you forget to lock you're workstation and some snoopy employee comes to look at things, they can't get anywhere out of you're profile (easily).
Employees should not be allowed to scan through folders to view their content. This is IMO both teasing and a security hole. You can get a lot of information just from file names.
The easiest way I can think of 'hiding' folders in Windows is to splice you're shares up adding $ to the front (or is it the end... no the front). This makes it so that the windows browser services does not report the shares (can still be found with command line though if I'm not mistaken), so this should help cut down on the snoopers. Apply the appropriate permissions and set group policies to map the appropriate drives. Log failed access attempts to shares to see who is snooping.
There is always a way around things, especially in the windows world.

[oracleguy]

Usually when someone comes in , it does'nt looks nice to log off and then log with other username.

No, it is called good security, especially in a work environment.

If this is on your home computer, if you think people will go through your stuff, then either don't let them use your computer or create a secondary low privilege guest account they can use. Then you can just use the OS' built-in security functionality on the file system to keep them out of your stuff. Most modern desktop environments support fast user switching so it makes the transition really easy.

[bcarl314]

Plus, if you're giving someone physical access to the computer, then you have no security. There are well documented ways to get around / reset admin / root passwords on any operating system if you have physical access to the box.

Real computer security begins with who can actually "touch" the computer.

[Apostropartheid]

If you just want to dissuade the casual user, why don't you just create a hidden partition? Assuming you're using TweakUI, they can't see it unless they look for the drive letter--which you can rename to something obscure. It's by no means foolproof, but unless this person has some serious time on their hands, all you have to do is close your Explorer window and that's that.

[o0O0o.o0O0o]

thanks all , i will try all those methods.

I think hididng the drive will also be a good idea. will try that as well

CyanLight: can you please do one favor. Can you either change ur Avatar or SE*. It always confuses me ;)

[borntoslow]

Hiding folders is never a good idea because...well they are never really hidden. If someone wanted to find them OR it is very easy just to stumble accross things and in my experiance if someone thinks someone is trying to hide something, they want to know why.

I have to agree with Oracleguy and say go for encryption, and yes i know its easy to break encryption but it take a lot more computer savay than finding hidden folders or drives. Something as simple as plugging in flash drives can relveal "hmmm where is s:\" if you see what i mean.

[oracleguy]

yes i know its easy to break encryption but it take a lot more computer savay than finding hidden folders or drives.

If you use good encryption it will take either the invention of a quantum computer or way longer than the data will have value for. But you make a good point which is to even approach breaking into encrypted data requires someone who is computer savvy.

And as bcarl said, with physical access to the computer unless the data is encrypted, all bets are off with any sort of hiding technique or file system security.

[borntoslow]

Another sensible post by Oracle. i suggest you listen to him.

i like your comments on Quantum decryption. The only problem with that is..Quantum encryption :)

Again with all these various encryption software and like everything in the computer world, unless you understand how to use it, things are always very easy decrypt. Even openPGP. when its been done once ;) its easy to do again.

[o0O0o.o0O0o]

The encryption is go0d. But if we frequently want to access the data then , encryption and decryption will take more time.

If the data is very very sensitive like FBI :) then i understand the need. But for normal coding files , pics and other data encryption will take 5 minutes to open and then 5 more minutes to decrypt.

[borntoslow]

Well have you thought about getting an external hard drive?

That way there is no issues of anyone browsing your files as you can just carry it with you and if any of your collueges ask, your just backing up your work as you lost a load last month bla bla bla.

[o0O0o.o0O0o]

That's the good idea but if files are frequently accessed then its to put on HD rather carrying HD with you all the time.

In the land of the blind the one eyed man is king.

I think this is more true

In the land of the blind the one eyed man is servant.

as blinds can't do any work one eyed man has to take care of all or at least guide them what to do (if 100's then he will either kill them all or make himself blind) he he :D

[oracleguy]

I think you need to take a hard look at what you are trying to do. We've offered several different solutions and none of them seem to work for you. If that is the case, maybe you shouldn't store data on that computer period? For someone who seems so concerned about other people looking at some of their data you refuse to take even the most basic security measures to achieve that.

If this is a work computer that you have to occasionally share, what is the big deal about changing users? It isn't rude, you are protecting yourself and them since a basic network security rule is that you shouldn't let people share usernames.

[borntoslow]

That's the good idea but if files are frequently accessed then its to put on HD rather carrying HD with you all the time.



I think this is more true



as blinds can't do any work one eyed man has to take care of all or at least guide them what to do (if 100's then he will either kill them all or make himself blind) he he :D

sometimes i feel like a servant :) you may not be wrong there. Thats why i stear clear of coding posts now.

[tfit]

I came across this http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/Microsoft-Private-Folder-Download-44412.html
I don't know if and how it works, but you can try to see if it fits your need

[borntoslow]

this will rely on poor encyption algorithms. i dont reccomend it. Also with it being a microsoft product every man and there dog will be out trying to crack it...