Any way to password-protect a hard drive?

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Sn@kebite

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Is there any program out there that allows me to protect my hard-drive?
Or at least not allow 3rd parties to delete my files?

thanks!!


:D
 
Re: Anyway to password-protect a harddrive?

Select the disk, right-click for properties and select the Security tab. here you should be able to control,the access to the device. Never done it myself but it is worth a try.
 
Re: Anyway to password-protect a harddrive?

If you block access to the whole C:\ drive, noone will be able to do anything. If you're running Windows XP, you should set up user accounts (Start/Control Panel) and make only yours an Administrator account. That way the other users won't be able to see anything in your 'My Documents' folder, nor delete anything that's in the Shared Documents folder.

You could also try the free dirLock utility.

If you're worried about losing files, I hope you're also backing them up safely?
 
You should be able to enter the BIOS and set up a password on your hard drive. That way everytime you boot/restart the machine you will be prompted to enter your hard drive password before you reach the logon screen.
 
Tuesday said:
You should be able to enter the BIOS and set up a password on your hard drive.
Click to expand...
Actually that does not password the hard drive but rather than BIOS and PC bootup. If you remove the hard disk to another PC then the contents will generally be completely readable.

Maybe you need something like TrueCrypt to encrypt/protect specific data?
 
Ah - didn't realise that this was a specific hard disk password rather than the usual BIOS password. However I have one of the laptop hard disks listed on that page and there is no option in the BIOS to activate the lock and there is no hard disk manufacturer utility to do same that I can see.
 
I think the option is part of the IDE/ATA standard and also on some 3.5" hard disks. The option is in very few BIOSs (Toshiba have it). It does not encrypt the data on the platters, but once set firmware on the disks controller will not allow access unless it is supplied on startup. I came across it a few months ago. If the 'Master Password' is set and lost the disk becomes a paperweight, unless you send it to an expensive ("Proper") data recovery company. So it is not an option the likes if DELL want to give their customers.

Towger
 
I have 4 partitions: C: H: E: and R:

C: being the main partition with the OS intalled on it i don't need to protect this! And E: i never use so that's fine the way it is.

But i do want to protect H: & R: because they have details on it like CC and names & passwords to various websites such a AAM, Boards.ie etc...
But when i have friends up, they use my BB and i dont want the (accidentally or purposely) accessing CC details etc..

I simply want something that protect the drive, like if you double-click the drive to open it a box pops up looking for a password before you're able to enter the drive. (similar to WinRAR encryption).

I know i can hide the drive with BootitNG or by changing the drive letter to "blank", but it doesnt seem secure enough.:(

BlueSpud and DrMoriarty's ideas seem to be "on the beaten track" thanks! And then the posts go more vague, i dont need to go int the BIOS or anything.

Thanks for you replies, keep 'em comin'.

:D

EDIT: DrMoriarty, I installed dirLock but i got an error reading: "To run this app, you must first install 1 of the folowing versions of the .NET framework, v2.0.50727. Contact the app publishere about obtaining the appropriate version of the .NET Framework" any ideas?
 
Sn@kebite said:
But i do want to protect H: & R: because they have details on it like CC and names & passwords to various websites such a AAM, Boards.ie etc...
But when i have friends up, they use my BB and i dont want the (accidentally or purposely) accessing CC details etc..

I simply want something that protect the drive, like if you double-click the drive to open it a box pops up looking for a password before you're able to enter the drive. (similar to WinRAR encryption).

I know i can hide the drive with BootitNG or by changing the drive letter to "blank", but it doesnt seem secure enough.:(

BlueSpud and DrMoriarty's ideas seem to be "on the beaten track" thanks! And then the posts go more vague, i dont need to go int the BIOS or anything.

Thanks for you replies, keep 'em comin'.

:D
Click to expand...
Why not TrueCrypt as I mentioned above?
 
DrMoriarty said:
If you're worried about losing files, I hope you're also backing them up safely?
Click to expand...
That's only for back-up of files such as: registry entries, temp files etc...isn't it?
Is that what CM is talking about below?

ClubMan said:
Actually that does not password the hard drive but rather than BIOS and PC bootup. If you remove the hard disk to another PC then the contents will generally be completely readable.
Maybe you need something like TrueCrypt to encrypt/protect specific data?
Click to expand...

I have to say ClubMan, this truecrypt is absoutely fantastic!!! :D
Although i'm just learning, the programme works fine & the advanced options are just unlimited. Do you use it yourself?
Thanks alot for this:)
 
seeing as we're talking about it, seagate have released disks with their own encryption in the last couple of weeks.
 
Sn@kebite said:
I have to say ClubMan, this truecrypt is absoutely fantastic!!! :D
Although i'm just learning, the programme works fine & the advanced options are just unlimited. Do you use it yourself?
Thanks alot for this:)
Click to expand...
Haven't used it myself yet. I don't have much worth hiding. A few colleagues use it and find it very good and Gizmo Richards recommends it (in the [broken link removed] which is well worth the $10 for an annual subscription) which is always a good sign in my experience.
 
car said:
seeing as we're talking about it, seagate have released disks with their own encryption in the last couple of weeks.
Click to expand...
yeah thanks, but i don't think id have to bother with, a harddrive like that anyway, when i have ClubMan & if he fails there's always google.:)
I mean (a) I'm not a fan of laptops, & (b) if ppl saw a laptop of that brand they'd assume there was an encrypted HDD inside it and would probably be more enclined to steal it just to try and get into it, wondering what i needed a safe drive for. Even if they couldn't get into the data id rather have the laptop beside me.
 
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