I've got some video's that need password protecting. Is there a programme for it?

A friends moving in and i'm not really bothered what he does on my computer, I don't want to have to create a new login for him or anything. But there are a certain video's I have and like to watch every now and then. (feel free to 'lol').

But I don't want him to see them. Is there anything I can do where I open it, enter a password and then all my video's will come up and I can watch them on VLC Media player.

I tried folder protect, but everytime I want to watch the video, I have to unlock the whole folder which takes about a minute and then all the files extract and then when I want to lock them again, I have to right click and 'lock folder' and then all the files take about 5 minutes to lock.

I also tried WinRar which worked okay, although every video I want to watch, it takes about 50 seconds (depending on how big the file size is) to extract and then it plays. Which is too slow.

I want something I can just open, enter my password, see all my files, watch them and then click exit.


Thx

 

When you use WinRAR, did you tell it to compress? If it's like 7zip, there's an option to just "store" without compression. I would assume this would speed up access.

The quickest result of course would be a separate account. Tho also, depending on how many files you have, buy a USB key and put your stuff on it. Then you retain physical access to the files at all times.

 

You could try TrueCrypt, its free and would do what you want. Basically you create a Container on your partition then drop all the video's into it. The container has the password on it and when you want to access the contents you mount it to a drive letter and then run the files as normal.

Google TrueCrypt and read the beginners guide. It is easier than it I made it sound.

HeHe, are we likely to see you on YouTube, "WhySoSerious" rides again, ye haw!

 

Put them on a thumb (or other appendage) drive, and keep it in your pocket...

 

A basic precept of security (and even programs like TrueCrypt will tell you this) is that if someone has unfettered physical access to a machine, no amount of 'security' will protect what that machine contains.

Do you really intend to let your 'friend' login as you/administrator and then put them on th e honor system not to mess with stuff?

If you are unwilling to create a unique user ID for your 'friend' and thusly take advantage of the security features/capabilities of Windows, well, you're just setting yourself up for failure/disappointment.

 

Why not just hide the file instead? E.g. right click-> properties-> hide. Then select view hidden folder when you want to watch the video.

 

I think its Truecrypt that the Asus units come with or some form of it. I was able to password protect files and open them by typing in the password or swiping my figerprint on the fingerprint scanner.

I was just toying with it but I could see it being useful.


It would also only take like 30 seconds to make him his own logon for the computer and then you can give your movies folder/directory permissions only for your name this is how I would do it so you dont have to encrypt/decrypt all your files when you want to use them.

Also you wont have to worry about other issues like sharing a desktop, him seeing your recently viewed programs/folders/files (you can turn this off), recently viewed URLS/History (you can turn this off), Saved passwords or users names for websites (you can turn this off)

But point is as you can see all that stuff and more requires you to handle all of it individually and you lose some of your accessibility and convenience in the process.

Making him his own logon is probably the best way to go. Or make him get his own computer

 

what about making 2 users ?? , your user and another user for ur friend , and make your private files unshared ... , i think this is an easy and useful solution for ur situation , cheers

 

He's already got his own Macbook. But if he just wants to do something quick or something that you can't do on a Mac, he will ask me if he can use my laptop for it really quick. I don't mind him doing this. But once, he was looking through my music on my Music folder which i'm not that bothered about, but if he goes on the video's, I will be. I want to seem like I can trust him and not have to switch user everytime he wants to do something quick.

 

He's already proved himself untrustworthy by browsing through things he had no business looking at.

 

I do trust him. My music was on, he was just having a look. I just don't want him to see those video's. There must be something. I tried 7zip and whenver I want to open the file, it uncompresses it for about 20 seconds and then plays =(

 

If he isn't really computer competent, you could just put all your videos in a folder. Set that folder (and subfiles) to hidden, and make sure Windows Explorer does not show hidden files. Unless he changes that setting (in which case he is obviously peeping or something) then you should be fine. Just switch the explorer setting when you want to view them...

 

There is something but you don't like any of them. So far the following have been mentioned and all work with various results. You just have to decide on which method you are willing to live with and how secure you want it to be.

1. Folder Protect
2. WinRar
3. TrueCrypt
4. Hide the File
5. Make him his own login

You are going to be inconvenienced to some degree if you are going to allow him to use your computer but not have access to everything.

 

I went with the hide folders idea. I thought it would take a long time to have to keep going to tools, options,folders tab, hide folders, okay and then keep doing this every time. But I found a shortcut that I just click and it unhides the folders straight away xD

 

How about just putting the stuff you don't want him to see on a DVD/flash drive and not storing it on your computer?

 

That would be even worse lol. He could then just 'borrow' my usb drive and find it. lol

 

Obligatory: LOL

Hiding is hard, isn't it? My guess is your friend already knows more about the "real you" that you are trying to conceal than you think. My advice: live one life, publicly and privately.

Or create a separate log in that can be used when you are staring over his shoulder and when you are not around.

Jeremy

 

um, how about activating the built in guest account for him, then turning it off when he leaves. password protect your own account and your good to go.

 

just use TrueCrypt. Make sure you dont forget your password...pretty impossible to recover your files if you do. (depending on which encryption method you use)

 

I love this "But if he just wants to do something quick or something that you can't do on a Mac"

First I wouldn't have your private video in a folder called video ?!?!? You should make a new folder. I have Read everything that people have posted for you. I have stuff hidden in my program file in a folder called { ' } yes its call ' . and like jackluo923 SAID

Also as everyone has also said. If he looks for your video's then you should talk to him. And tell the MAC user to stay on his MAC. (sry i don't like MAC)