Locking files/folders

Guest2 · 24 Jul 2009 at 12:23

If you using something like folder-lock, would it still ask for a password if you took out someones hard drive then plugged it into another computer?

Im presuming it wouldnt unless it ties part of the install or something to folders/files

theheyes · 24 Jul 2009 at 14:21

If the computer had the necessary software to decrypt it then yes, if not no.

Guest2 · 24 Jul 2009 at 14:32

so yes if they had the software install, and no if not. Seems a bit stupid. All that would need doing to view someones folders is uninstall the program from their computer.

edit - are you sure that is right? Say if i install folder-lock (or any other password lock program) for someone to be able to see the locked files all they have to do is uninstall the program?

outsourcedsoul · 24 Jul 2009 at 15:53

If they uninstall it then they still wont be able to open it as the folder is encrypted and needs Folder Lock to un-encrypt.

theheyes · 24 Jul 2009 at 16:01

Okay, I'll explain a little differently.

I don't know how this folder-lock works, but I'm assuming it encrypts the folder into a format which is readable only by the folder-lock software. If you then plug this into a computer that doesn't have folder-lock installed, it will show up as an unknown file type. You won't be able to read the contents (or makes sense of them, because it is encrypted) but you also won't be able to open it because there is no software associated with that file type. You will have to install folder lock on the PC to recognise the file, then you'll be prompted for the password.

Guest2 · 24 Jul 2009 at 16:32

thanks both. makes sense