Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ernie]

how do i password protect folders in XP? each group of desks in my classroom has its own computer, and i want to be able to do projects, save them on the desktop, and not worry about stupid kids deleting other groups' work for fun. i've tried a few different things:

1. simply hiding the folders in a weird subdirectory.
problems: losing the folder, shit disturbers can still find them

2. encrypting with a password.
problems: absolutely useless because you can still delete files without needing a password

3. a 3rd party program
problems: shit disturbers can lock entire directories, no 'master' password

how can i provide security without allowing people to 'over secure' the computer? bored kids will find ways to screw up the best laid plans. i don't mind having to unlock every computer at the beginning of class, but i'd prefer not to.

help?

[bassexpander]

It might be a little overdone for your needs, but you could look up TrueCrypt. That ends up partitioning the disc (maybe there was a mode that doesn't do this.... can't remember), though, and may not be what you want.

I purchased an Imation USB drive with a simple locking program on it that hides stuff as well. I don't use it, although I tried it for fun.

[Demophobe]

Removable storage. It's the easiest and most secure. Flash drives are cheap, USB 2.5" hard disks likewise.

[denverdeath]

Thumb drive or cd-rw(assuming the PCs have burning capabilities). Have the leader of each group responsible for whichever is chosen.

[ernie]

i'm really surprised this isn't a standard feature in XP.

ok so for now i'm going to try the 3rd party program, which is kind of like the crypto-thing mentioned above. i wonder how long it will take for some shit kid to figure out how to screw everything up.

the problem is that there is a folder on the desktop called "ernie's class files", with each class (1-1, 1-2, etc) inside. maybe i have to put every class folder separately on the desktop, which looks ugly but might be the only way to prevent someone from locking the entire folder.

i'll ask about flash drives for each group. maybe i can use 9 and assign them to groups rather than classes, and each class can have a separate folder that they can lock themselves.

thanks for the tips. i thought this would be so simple!

[denverdeath]

User accounts?

[spliff]

Hidden folders.

[ernie]

i thought about user accounts but that would be too much of a hassle to set up 24 different accounts per group (3 grades X 8 classes/grades) X 9 groups!

re: hidden files - how do i access one without revealing all the hidden files in a folder?

[I_Am_The_Kiwi]

Go with removable storage as suggested. I bet you most kids will have them anyway. All those mp3 players theyre listening too are removable drives!

Safest way around all this with the least amount of hassle. And then if they want they can work on stuff out of school

[ernie]

so i'm going with the USB drives. the teacher's ordered a bunch that will stay in the classroom. seems like the only feasible way to do it.

any programmers out there? something like this:

http://www.folder-password-expert.com/

but with more options like the ability to limit locking parameters using a master password seems like a pretty simple program. what do i know? maybe this is part of the $40 full version.

thanks guys. actually this thread was my plot to draw out the geekiest of the geeks and ridicule you once i obtained the necessary information. muhahaha - stupid geeks.

[Juregen]