Microsoft apparently released a new piece of software called private folder today. The software creates a folder called my private folder which can be password protected to keep the prying eyes of your loved ones from finding files they should not see. Windows Genuine Advantage will check twice if your computer is running a legit copy of windows xp.
A freeware alternative without checks and snooping would be true crypt. You simply create a container on one of your hard drives and mount if whenever you want to use it. True Crypt has another advantage: It is available for Windows (xp, 2000 and 2003) and Linux. Take a look at my basic true crypt tutorial that I´ve written a while ago.
True Crypt has another advantage over private folders. No one knows that there is a hidden container on your hard disk as long as you do not mount the countainer it is hidden and not accessible at all. Private folders are always there and make the curious even more curious in my opinion.
Related posts:
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10 Responses to “Microsoft Private Folder 1.0”
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[...] Via: gHacks [...]
Hmmm… This really seems unnecessary… Here is an alternate solution:
1. make sure your loved ones have separate user accounts on the machine
2a. if you have XP pro, right click on your
porner.. private folder, Properties, Security, deny everything for everyone but yourself.2b. if you have XP home, use the cacls command in the console.
3. If your loved ones know how to use Knoppix, enable NTFS ecryption on that folder
Presto. This is poor mans version of a private folder without the need to instal any aditional tools.
For a moment there I thought you said MS Pirate Folder, and was quite shocked. Then I realised my folly…
yeah M$ still trying to peek at our files.
I guess thjey really do not understand the meaning of the word “Personal Computer.”
What about XP Home users ? encryption is not available for them.
you guys crack me up, you’re all so full of copied software and you put up this stupid pretense about your privacy
Boomer go have a cookie.
This is pointless, I’ll just stick
to using Compressed Zip Folder.
Not a very secure program. First it leaves an unchangable beacon on your desk top that screams “HEY I’M TRYING TO HIDE STUFF!!!!”
Then you can break into it in 2 seconds by opening a command prompt start -> run -> CMD
navigate right to the folder and grabbing anything you want.
Did Microsoft spend money on this?
Hey Brad,.. have you actually try to use your method ? or is that just some assumptions that you’ve been making to make you look clever ?
Brad is misguided/incorrect on all counts he has listed.
You can hide it from the desktop and you can NOT see any of the files via DOS (unless the folder is unlocked)