[Solved] Password Protect Folders & Files

[johnoo]

How do you carry out both of these actions?
Thanks in advance

[Hagar Delest]

I would say encrypt the folders.
Or keep the machine off the net and lock it in a safe.

[johnoo]

Not a very helpful reply, if I may say so.
Is there not a method of just allocating a password to a Folder or a File in AOO to give protection as one does with web sites?

[RoryOF]

Password protecting folders or files is an operating system facility and you should consult information for that. But be aware that if for some reason passwording fails, be it because of hard disk failure, forgotten password, or damaged file, it may be impossible to recover your information.

If you really wish to keep files confidential, my advice is to work to an external USB hard disk (not a USB stick), and keep that in whatever security you think appropriate.

[keme]

Password protection of folders and files can happen on two levels:

• File system level
  Files (and sometimes folders) are stored in encrypted form using password as encryption/decryption key.
  This often makes content inaccessible also to system admins unless they have your password. Advantage for confidentiality, disadvantage in data rescue situations.
• Operating system level
  Access to file system (local storage as well as network shares) is restricted based on user ID, which is confirmed by password at login.
  With this, the content is usually accessible for users with admin privileges.

There are also hybrid solutions, where your login opens an encryption key, and that key is used transparently (without user interaction) to encrypt your stuff on file system level.

Those kinds of protection are dependent on system type, and the office suite has no bearing on this. Ask in a MS Windows support forum or search in Microsoft support pages.

Password protection of documents (file content) is a different matter, and something you enable when saving (tick box below filename field). From the wording of your question and your choice of subforum for asking, I guess that is not what you are after, but I thought it worth mentioning anyway...)

[johnoo]

Thanks, appears a bit complicated. Think I will forget

[keme]

Thanks, appears a bit complicated. Think I will forget

Not very complicated, but you need to know the implications. If you enable protection and forget the key, you are also locked out from content yourself. Which "back doors" are available depend on choice of protection. How secure do you need your stuff to be?

• For file system level security, options are often found in file/folder context menu (security or properties option).
• For operating system level security, you need to access the user administration of your system.
• For document level security in this office suite, you tick a box when you save.

It is still smart to consult authoritative support (cf. my link above). They may have more advice on best practice based on user experience.