Hiding - protecting a file
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Europe
Hiding - protecting a file
I have a usb key that I carry with me along with my home keys. Ι have some files on it that I like to keep them hidden/protected should I ever loose the USB key. Some time back there was a thread about the issue but I can find it.
What would you recommend - besides not loosing the key ring.
Many thanks for sharing your wisdom.
Rwy in Sight
What would you recommend - besides not loosing the key ring.
Many thanks for sharing your wisdom.
Rwy in Sight
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,052
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From: In transit
I would put them onto a 'cloud' storage site such as Dropbox. USB keys are susceptible to damage, as well as loss.
I learnt this the hard way ....... I put some presentations onto a USB key, travelled 6000 miles to give the presentations, and the files had somehow become corrupted.
I learnt this the hard way ....... I put some presentations onto a USB key, travelled 6000 miles to give the presentations, and the files had somehow become corrupted.
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Earth
Plenty of freeware encryption utilities - but then you need to work out how you will decrpyt the files.............................
Job done.
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Earth
USB keys are susceptible to damage, as well as loss.
Cloud storage is nothing but a bunch of servers in a datacentre, infact, its worse than that, because they generally use cutting edge unproven software architecture to spread the files around.
Everything is susceptible to data loss Mr Captonian, everything.... that's why I keep banging on that you should have a minimum of three independent copies of your data at any one time.
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Reactor building X
use Truecrypt
not only can you encrypt the files, you can hide them from view , or hide the partition they are on
You can also now buy relatively cheaply pen drives which come with their own hardware encryption, but that won't actually hide the files.
what you use depends on what you want it for. If you need to avoid detection of your posession of the files, then you need Truecrypt. By using that, the existence of the files is totally deniable
not only can you encrypt the files, you can hide them from view , or hide the partition they are on
You can also now buy relatively cheaply pen drives which come with their own hardware encryption, but that won't actually hide the files.
what you use depends on what you want it for. If you need to avoid detection of your posession of the files, then you need Truecrypt. By using that, the existence of the files is totally deniable
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Australia
I have used usb keys to store folders of files containing only text files thinking they were a huge step forward from having to burn compact discs. But one by one when I have tried to access those files to update them, I receive an error "this disc is unusable". I had multiple backups but it got really messy trying to maintain all of them. Now, I back up onto an external HDD and when necessary go to it for extraction. I have found 4-8 gig usb keys are handy if you don't put too much on them.
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Reactor building X
you can't put your own server into a pocket. Nor can you always log into it remotely from overseas...
The theory is good, but the reality is that the internet is'nt always that instantly available yet
The theory is good, but the reality is that the internet is'nt always that instantly available yet
Hippopotomonstrosesquipidelian title
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: is everything
As well as encrypting the files, you could also add a selection of apps from the PortableApps range and take your working environment with you.
As others have said, Truecrypt works very well and is cross-platform (with a bit of farting around)
As others have said, Truecrypt works very well and is cross-platform (with a bit of farting around)
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 246
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From: Fife, Scotland
Apparently some people are buying low-capacity drives then sticking programs on them to make them seem larger.
They act as if data is being stored but you can't recover it.
I use this program to check any usb drive I get -
BurnInTest - Detecting fake and oversize USB drive capacity
They act as if data is being stored but you can't recover it.
I use this program to check any usb drive I get -
BurnInTest - Detecting fake and oversize USB drive capacity
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 246
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From: Fife, Scotland
Chief Tardis Technician
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Western Australia S31.715 E115.737
True , it doesnt secure the file. but the orginal quetion was
, so in essence hiding does protect against casual intrusion.. I also took the slash (/) as an or making the question hide or protect.
hidden/protected
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Europe
Thanks for all the help so far. Regarding Avtrician's points yes he/she is right. I think I should go for the protecting part as I want to keep the files unaccessible to everyone who might find my USB.
As usual the help is really helpfull
Rwy in Sight
As usual the help is really helpfull
Rwy in Sight
