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I was asked recently about the difference between password protection and encryption. After thinking at length about it, I have come up with the following description: Password protection is like locking the door to a room full of information. The locked door will keep out the casually curious. The doggedly determined will pick the lock, beat the door down, or knock a hole in the wall to get at the information. Encryption on the other hand takes the information and completely scrambles it. You can leave the door unlocked (no password) and it will not be an issue because the prohibited peeper will only see a jumble of letters, numbers, and symbols. In fact, even formerly blank pages will be full of what seems to be random characters.
To encrypt files and/or folders: First of all most releases of Windows Vista do not have built in file and folder encryption, Windows XP does. In order to use it effectively you must have a Windows login password. The best way to use encryption is to encrypt a folder; all files subsequently placed in that folder will be automatically encrypted. Right click on the folder, select advanced and select encrypt contents... . If the folder is already full of files the command could take some time to complete. When the encryption process is complete, your folder and file names are green. Other than that, you will see no difference. If someone knows your password and can log into your machine they will be able to read your encrypted files, but if they have to "crack" into your computer or remove the hard drive and try to read it on another machine, they will not be able to read what you have stored in the encrypted folders. (Warning--do not encrypt the whole disk, that would prevent your computer from booting up!) When you determine you no longer need to encrypt, simply select to file/folder you have encrypted, select advanced and uncheck encrypt contents... If the folder is full of files, it will take some time to complete.
Bonus As many of you know, even deleted files can be retrieved by experts. People are advised to use program that "wipes" deleted files if they plan to donate an old computer. If you use encryption there is no need to go through that procedure, there is no practical way that a deleted encrypted file can be read.
Loose ends Windows Vista ultimate
does support encryption. Windows XP will not
encrypt a flash drive. The National Security Agency may be able to read your deleted encrypted files.
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COMPUTER I 2/3 – 2/4 – 2/5 9:00 – 11:00 am
COMPUTER II 2/10 – 2/11 – 2/12 9:00 – 11:00 am
2/18
9:00 - 11:00 am January’s e-mail classes proved to be very popular so there will be another on Wednesday, February 18, 2009, 9am – 11am. The class will cover setting up Outlook Express, sending and replying to messages, sending and opening attachments, emailing to groups and maintaining an address book for frequently used contacts. The fee for the class is $11.00 and includes a student manual written by a professional technical writer for the CARES Elfers Center. Please call (727) 847-1290 to register if you are interested.
Computer
Instructors We need more Instructors for beginning and intermediate Computer classes. If you are knowledgeable in Windows programs and would like to be a volunteer teacher, call (727) 847-1290 and let us know. Classes are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9:00am-11:00am, one class a month for each level. There is a 6-computer lab in the Travel Department building so classes are small and informal.
TAX TIME
The tax preparers will be at Elfers starting February 3rd. Appointments may be made for Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12:00pm to 3:20pm until April 15th. Call to make an appointment and bring last year’s tax return and attachments. If you find you are unable to keep that appointment, please call (727) 847-1290 to cancel or reschedule. We will need all the available time slots so that we don’t have to turn anyone away.
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