How do I encrypt a document /file etc?

[VickyMilza]

Hello Everybody,

I am running Vista and wish to encrypt a document or file so only I can read it. When I right click there is nothing in the drop down box that you click to encrypt or password protect as in my old Windows ME system. Help please anyone?

Thanks in advance
Vicky Milza

[TonyMccallum]

Hello Members,

Encryption is a process of encoding information so that it cannot be accessed by others unless they have the key needed to decode it. Encryption is usually used to protect highly sensitive documents, but it's also a good way to stop people from looking at your personal stuff.

1. Encryption utilities that encrypt files/folders directly - the utilities reviewed in this article. These utilitiees encrypt discrete files and/or folders directly, in contrast to utilities that encrypt and store files in volumes (archives, i.e., container files). File-based utilities may operate in batch mode or in on-the-fly mode.
2. Virtual-drive encryption utilities create volumes which can be mounted in the file-system as virtual drives, complete with drive letters, e.g. "V:". These drives can contain both files and folders. The computer's file system can read, write and create documents in real time, directly in cleartext. Virtual-drive utilities operate in on-the-fly mode.
3. Full-drive encryption utilities encrypt entire storage devices, e.g., hard-drives, drive partitions and USB drives. Some of the utilities in this category can also encrypt the drive that the operating system itself is installed on.
4. Client-side encryption utilities for the cloud: A newly emerged category. These utilities encrypt files before they are uploaded to cloud sync/storage locations. The files are encrypted in transit and while at rest in the cloud. Cloud encryption utilities employ various forms of virtualization to present cleartext client-side, and they operate in on-the-fly mode.

Best Regards,
Tony Mccallum

[hesterl]

Hello Everybody,

I am running Vista and wish to encrypt a document or file so only I can read it. When I right click there is nothing in the drop down box that you click to encrypt or password protect as in my old Windows ME system. Help please anyone?

Thanks in advance
Vicky Milza

Which type document or file do you want to encrypt? Some files have built-in password protection function, for example, word, power point, excel, etc. which allow you to save them with a password; Some programs even don't have this function, such as picture, software and so on.
If you would like to cost little money you can buy a folder/file protector.