Re: Self Decrypting Archive Freeware?

From: mike (spamme0_at_netscape.net)
Date: 04/29/05 

Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2005 10:40:55 -0700

David Eather wrote:
> mike wrote:
>
>>I'd like to keep some files on my computer, but make it hard for
>>a casual hacker to get at them. Don't need national security...just
>>something better than plain text.
>>
>>I looked at several encryption programs. They all said, "unencrypt
>>your files and reencrypt them with this new version. This implies
>>that I'd be up the creek if I couldn't figure out which program and
>>version I used to encrypt.
>>
>>What I'd like is an archive that can be unencrypted...no matter what.
>>The obvious solution is to make a self-decrypting archive that is
>>independent of OS or application version.
>>
>>Does such a freeware application exist?
>>Thanks, mike
>
>
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> Hash: SHA1
>
> I'll make a suggestion that won't be popular with the power
> sci.cryp'ers
> Just use the old encryption version of PK/Win Zip without any self
> decrypting or other add-ons.
> The encryption method is not secure. It will not withstand an
> educated attack but the average computer user will still have
> difficulty. There are cracking programs available but again I think
> the average user is in the dark about these.

I agree. I'd do that too if I could find a freeware DOS version with
password protection.
The windows version ain't free and it can't be run from a floppy (on a
bare machine).
The dos version would boot the OS and unarchive from one floppy on
virtually any PC with a floppy drive or bootable CD drive (plus some
mass storage). No complicated OS install, driver search, etc.

There are lots of much more complex solutions. I'm just looking for
something quick and dirty. Didn't intend for this to morph into a
discussion of archive media longevity.
mike

>
> Because it is so universal, using the zip format ensures that you
> will be able to find a "one click" decompression program in 10 years,
> probably regardless of what happens with OS's and processors.
>
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
> Version: PGP 8.1
>
> iQA/AwUBQnIZFJS9Fk5okqe7EQI8FACgha5CfCijL5Tw3MCxq/2cxSB912oAoJe8
> i79c5vYkRgW/soaawnBrIX2F
> =Ub8s
> -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
>
> (keeping a secret is only useful if you can get it back when you want it)
>
> 

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