Let’s be honest here, we all have something... or ‘other’ on our laptops and home PCs that we don’t really want anyone to see. We try to tuck them away into the ‘nether-est’ - for lack of a better term - regions of your computers software, away from the prying eyes of the folks at home or the girlfriend who as it turns out just might not be too happy with you having pictures of your exs. So what do you do? Hide the files of course. Of course there’s the traditional method of right clicking on the folder or files and selecting the Hide option and then choosing the ‘Do not show hidden files and folders’ option from the Tools, Folder Options menu. But of course this, in all probability, you already knew. But another simple technique is to create a Zip file or RAR file and password protect it.
So for those of you who aren’t hardcore software geniuses but are looking to keep things really simple yet secretive here are a few freeware apps you can use.
Hide Folders :
One of the simplest software to use is the Hide Folders. It’s not rocket science really. The application is easy to use and involves nothing more than selecting folders you want hidden and that’s that. A password system allows you to make sure that no one can access the software itself to un-hide the folders you’ve selected. Each time you try to access the software, which could even be a shortcut on the desktop for the world to see, you’ll need to enter the password.
Iron Privacy Folder:
It’s a small app that doesn’t take up too much place or RAM and is extremely simple to use. The only thing is that it’s a little too simple. What this software does is hide and sort of “deflect”, well re-direct is a more appropriate term, prying eyes to the Control Panel. This is only in case you’ve got your View Hidden Files and Folders option active on Windows. The only problem is the application doesn’t have a password protection option so anyone can access it if they know here the folder is and unlock it.
Folder Protector:
It’s just another simple protections system for the secretive. It’s a lightweight program that is simple and easy to set up and use. It starts off with you of course having to assign a password for the software. This ensures that you and only you have access to the system. Once in you can simply select folders from your computers directory and hide them. Again it’s a simple trick. The folders may show up when you Hide and Unhide folders and files from the Windows settings but they won’t be accessible to anyone without going through the software via the password.
Encrypt Files:
Although there are plenty of thoroughly computer literate and PC savvy individuals, like I said this is for those looking for simple solutions that are quick and easy to manage so although the name may suggest ‘Encryption’ which could make a lay person believe that it requires some skill for usage, this software is easy as pie. It allows users to put a security password on the application itself so no one can access and hide data on your PC from any drive. There are choices of encryption options for those who know what they’re doing but you can randomly select any for those who don’t. The software allows you to shred or delete the original files and keep the encrypted copies. The copies can also be hidden when encrypted and password protected. It allows for encryption of full directories but not entire drives.
There are others out there if you look hard enough of course, however don’t be surprised if most of the software you come across save these, would end up being Shareware that offer evaluation periods of 30 days and require registration (Credit Card or PayPal accounts required) later. Like I said before, sometimes it’s really simply and there are dreadfully easy ways to keep your data secure and then sometimes you need a little more of stringent policy to keep the nosy people out of your affairs.
For those who have other FREEWARE options they’d like to suggest please feel free to leave the comments and names in our comments section.
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