Understanding encryptiong of files

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin (More info?)

Hello -
I have read some of the posts listed here on encryption and just want to
make sure I am understanding what file encryption in XP Professional truely
does for a person.

It is my understanding that when files are encrypted, other users of that
same PC OR network users will not be able to access these files unless they
have the proper key. Is that correct?
However, if the user who encrypted the files sends one of the files via
Email, the recipient(s) WILL be able to open the file without a problem. Is
that correct also?

Thanks
Rachel

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin (More info?)

It depends on the function of the encryption mechanism you've used.

EFS (encrypting file system) behaves like you've described. Only the logged-on
user (or a recovery agent, if you're using one) can decrypt files once you've
encrypted them. Because of this, whenever you move or copy or send the file
someplace else, it will first be decrypted, then moved or copied or sent.
EFS is intented to protect information stored on your own hard drive, not
to protect information "in flight."

If you want to keep information encrypted through e-mail, then you'll need
to investigate e-mail encryption features present in most e-mail programs.
With these mechanisms you encrypt a piece of e-mail with the recipient's
public key, then deliver it the mail. The recipient decrypts it with his/her
private key. This works well, since only the recipient has possession of
the private key.

Steve Riley
steriley@microsoft.com



> Hello -
> I have read some of the posts listed here on encryption and just want
> to
> make sure I am understanding what file encryption in XP Professional
> truely
> does for a person.
> It is my understanding that when files are encrypted, other users of
> that same PC OR network users will not be able to access these files
> unless they have the proper key. Is that correct? However, if the
> user who encrypted the files sends one of the files via Email, the
> recipient(s) WILL be able to open the file without a problem. Is that
> correct also?
>
> Thanks
> Rachel

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin (More info?)

When you send secure e-mail,recipients use your digital signiture to verify
your identity. They use your public key to send an encrypted message back to
you.You than use your private key to decrypt and read the message.to Obtain a
digital ID you go to OE,tools,Options.,security tab, and click get digital
ID. Your browser will automatically launch and go to a microsoft website with
links to various cert. authorities. click the one you want and then follow
their instructions, after that enjoy secure encrypted e-mail. note if
you have multiple e-mails for yourself you will need different digital ID's
for each one

"Rachel L Chipman" wrote:

> Hello -
> I have read some of the posts listed here on encryption and just want to
> make sure I am understanding what file encryption in XP Professional truely
> does for a person.
>
> It is my understanding that when files are encrypted, other users of that
> same PC OR network users will not be able to access these files unless they
> have the proper key. Is that correct?
> However, if the user who encrypted the files sends one of the files via
> Email, the recipient(s) WILL be able to open the file without a problem. Is
> that correct also?
>
> Thanks
> Rachel