Thread: Folder Password Programs (Windows)?

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    Folder Password Programs (Windows)?

    I was wondering how folder password protecting programs work(so that i could write one)... at first i thought that they might dump the contents into a file type (like *.zip)and pass. protect that. but then that wouldn't be password protecting the folder, then i thought maybe they encrypted it, but then why can't i open the folder and look at the ENCRYPTION (not the original), like if i were to encrypt a txt file? If this is a stupid question just say so.
    "What this country needs is more free speech worth listening to." - -Hansell B. Duckett

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    Banned master5001's Avatar
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    Some may find this to be a stupid question. I find it to be a question asked by someone interested in encryption. Winzip encrypts its files. I think lw68 compression natively supports encryption for its compression. And yes, its output is unreadable to you and me. I think its compression uses encrypted compression tables that are made using the user password. Anyway, that is way more complicated than what you want. Start things off simple. My first c encryption program used a matrix made up from a 3 digit password. You may want to do something like that, or use a character conversion table. Like:
    Code:
    void simple_encrypt(char *param) {
        int i;
        char mytable[] = "jkdiqrazvnopwbctuxsefghlmy";
        for(i = 0; i < strlen(param); i++)
            param[i] = mytable[param[i]];
    }

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    Banned master5001's Avatar
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    Oops almost forgot. Winzip decodes the encrypted data do that they become readable.

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    k...but

    hmm u know any good recourses/websites that have specific information on how to write encryption (with C, not C++) , and im new to encryption so something for beginers. thx
    "What this country needs is more free speech worth listening to." - -Hansell B. Duckett

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    Re: k...but

    Originally posted by johnc
    hmm u know any good recourses/websites that have specific information on how to write encryption (with C, not C++) , and im new to encryption so something for beginers. thx
    Encryption isn't about a particular language, its about algorythms and such. You must understand the basics of these to then translate them into a language of your choice.

    There are of course many different methods of encrpytion. A google search for encryption tutorials will do you just fine, imo.
    When all else fails, read the instructions.
    If you're posting code, use code tags: [code] /* insert code here */ [/code]

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    Mayor of Awesometown Govtcheez's Avatar
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    Try the book Applied Cryptogrpah, by Bruce Schneier - it's got tons of code in C. Also, you can find the Handbook for Applied Cryptography free on the web.

  7. #7
    Registered User toaster's Avatar
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    they have some examples shown on this site. take a look. as to encrypting folders, many programs have their own ways such as manipulating the use of windows and such.

    here's a simple approach ( a simple folder encryption):
    (note that it will not encrypt the contents inside the folder)

    just encrypt the folder name so there will be characters that Windows will not recognize thus Windows can't open it.
    think only with code.
    write only with source.

  8. #8
    Mayor of Awesometown Govtcheez's Avatar
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    > just encrypt the folder name so there will be characters that Windows will not recognize thus Windows can't open it.

    WTF? That's not encryption... That's just hiding something... 2 seconds later, the file's open.

  9. #9
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    Originally posted by Govtcheez
    > just encrypt the folder name so there will be characters that Windows will not recognize thus Windows can't open it.

    WTF? That's not encryption... That's just hiding something... 2 seconds later, the file's open.
    Also, I'm pretty sure Explorer will show you the folders anyway. It certainly does if you create a folder by the name of 0xff (one character, which is not displayable).
    When all else fails, read the instructions.
    If you're posting code, use code tags: [code] /* insert code here */ [/code]

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