Frederick Szczepanski

A: If you have a file-compression program such as WinZip, you can password-protect the files in your folder as you put them into a .zip file. Since most compression programs let you launch, edit, and save files within the archive, you can use the .zip file much as you would a folder.

Creating a password-protected archive in WinZip 8 is pretty easy: In Windows Explorer, right-click the folder and select Add to Zip. In the Add dialog box, click the Password button in the lower-right corner, and then just follow the prompts.

Once you're sure your files are safe in their .zip file, delete the original folder and its contents securely. Telling your compression program to "move" the files will leave them recoverable on your hard drive. See the article entitled æSecurely Delete Sensitive filesÆ page 125 of JuneÆs PC World.

If you want more than a zip program can offer, consider Encrypted Magic Folders by PC-Magic Software. Downloadable from our Cover CD or www.pc-magic.com, it encrypts and hides the folder to make it completely inaccessible. You have to use a hot key and your password to bring up the app, and only then can you access the folder. Just one problem: the $US59 registration fee. You better really want to keep those files protected but accessible.

By Lincoln Spector