Re: xy dos encryption

["Andy" boxand@xxxxxxxx]

Hum, I think ARj & ZIP don't make a real encryption, but a simple
compression/decompression password protected.

I remember an old dos utility, perhaps from PCmagazine, but I' m
unable to find it elsewhere...

I hope that someone could give me the right link ...:)

By!

> Oun Kwon wrote:
>
> > Why don't you try to use a rather universal file compression program (zip.
> > exe) which you can add a password? (I am not sure how easy it can be
> > cracked though.)
>
> I was going to reply to that query but did not get around to it, so I'm glad you
> did. Zip is one that I thought of also, but I think it's encryption feature may
> be weak. (For PKZIP, anyway. Haven't fooled around much with INFOZIP or
> WinZip.) I have cracked it, by accident, in the course of some basic
> experimentation. There is all sorts of encryption s/w out there, at various
> strengths, some of it free. Particularly some older DOS util.s, which are
> probably well below par by today's standards, but would be enough to discourage
> a casual snoop. For email, there is PGP (Pretty Good Privacy, which I believe
> was taken over by NAI, of McAfee Anti-Virus fame.) For major, longer documents,
> probably something else is indicated.
>
> > General caution: When I zipped files including xyw-dos, it was
> > disheartening to find later that I have forgotten the password. You need a
> > personal system of keeping passwords (make sure again no one can peek
> > through) somewhere (on computer or on paper file?)  I have so many
> > passwords for so many uses (e.g. AOL, Barnesandnoble web, multiple different
> > ones at the work site) - - - it is mind boggling to keep track of them!
>
> Yes, that's an issue, no matter what type of encryption you use. Not just
> encryption: there are plenty of passwords in our lives these days. I need one
> just to discuss my account with the phone Co., for example. A full list of all
> but the most critical passwords should be available to you backed up somewhere
> **on paper**, in case of emergency. Suggestions: safe deposit box, or in some
> innocuously labeled file in your filing cabinet that you know about but no one
> else is apt to notice. Also, some other s/w can help out here. There is a very
> good "Password Keeper" program for the OS/2 platform called KeyRing2. It's a
> mini-database, where you can also store other important or sensitive info, such
> as Registration #s and product Serial #s. Of course, the whole program is
> encryption based, so you need a "Master Password" just to get in. The
> encryption it uses is industrial strength. There is another program I've heard
> of in this genre, for the Win platform, called Password Corral. I believe that
> both programs are Shareware, so you can 'try before you buy.'
>
> Jordan
>


c.a.