Setting up user accounts
It's a good idea, if you're going to use the EFS, to set up a separate account
from which files and folders will be encrypted. To accomplish this worthy
goal, follow these simple steps:
1. Click StartControl PanelUser Accounts.
The User Accounts screen opens.
2. Select the Users tab and click Add.
3. Type a name for your new account in the text-entry field.
Unless your computer is a part of a client/server network you don't
need to enter a domain name.
4. Enter and confirm a strong password for the account. Click Next.
See Chapter 10 for details on creating strong passwords.
5. Decide whether you want to grant the account administrative rights or
limit the account. Click Finish.
Encrypting folders and files
You can choose to encrypt individual files, but a better choice is to encrypt
the entire folder and all its contents. As a matter of fact, you can, if you like,
choose to encrypt the My Documents folder or, if you prefer, create a specific
folder in which encrypted files and sub-folders will be stored. Any file or
sub-folder subsequently created in, or moved to, the encrypted folder is
automatically encrypted.
You can't encrypt a compressed folder or file. If you attempt to do so, the
item will be encrypted but will no longer be compressed. One solution is to
store the compressed folder or file in an encrypted vault (like those I tell you
about earlier in the chapter), using Cryptainer LE.
To encrypt a folder and its contents, simply follow these steps:
1. Right-click the folder you want to encrypt and click Properties.
The Properties dialog box opens.
2. Select the General tab and click Advanced.
The Advanced Attributes dialog box opens.
3. Select the Encrypt Contents To Secure Data check box. Click OK.
Part IV: Securing Your Information
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