Hiding Files On A Pc

Comprox

So, I was attempting to back up some music, grahpic work and other non mentionable stuff on my family PC a few days ago (no, not porn <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->). They have a 160 gig HDD, and once my stuff was backed up, they had nearly 60 gigs free still, and it was going to be for a week or two while my drive got replaced under warranty.

So, I moved it over, and each time I did, my brother kept deleting it stating stupid reasons like "its taking up too much space", "its slowing my PC down" and so on. Last night, with some help from IRC, I was attempting to hide the files, at least the important ones that were too big for CD. I ended up raring them up, splitting them into non-obvious chunks and renaming them stuff like pagefile.sys, system.dat and placing them in ominous folders like c:/windows and c:/windows/system32. He doesn't seem to have noticed them today, so I think I am good.

My question is, how would one hide files. This is just curiosity now. He has admin access to the PC, so he can see all folders. He knows about hidden folders. Would some third party program be needed to block access to files so they can't even be deleted, or is there some function built right into Windows XP?

BobTheJanitor

Use partition magic, create a totally new partition, and put a file system on it that windows doesn't understand. Copy all your files there. Note that this does require a wee bit* of preparation, and another computer that can somehow access that partition. And you'll probably need to pull the hard drive out too. Fun!

*whole lot

Cold_NiTe

<!--QuoteBegin-Comprox+Jul 28 2004, 10:39 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Comprox @ Jul 28 2004, 10:39 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> They have a 160 gig HDD, and once my stuff was backed up, they had nearly 60 gigs free still, <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Since when in the hell is 60 gigs not enough space. I had to use a 20 gig hard drive for 4 years, and 60 isn't enough? That is just plain greedy. Grr....

You've probably done well enough splitting and renaming the files. I dunno about partitioning though, because surely your brother would notice that a large chunk of space was missing from the primary partition that he would use to boot windows from, even if windows doesn't recognize the other partition and doesn't label it as another drive.

Verthandi

<span style='color:aquamarine'>If you have your own account and password, you can store your important files in your personal 'My Documents' folder. Once you've copied everything over, right-click the 'My Documents' folder, 'Properties', 'Sharing' tab, and then 'Make this folder private'.

This method, while not 100% secure, should provide a sufficient refuge for your files.

If installing programs is viable, then you could consider getting a deletion recovery program, to serve as a contingency plan.</span>

raz0r

If it's an older brother, then he's being a retard

If it's a younger brother, he has no power over you, beat him.


My HD is 40 Gigs, 60 gigs is way more than enough

R_A_C

I've got a 30 gig and it's <i>plenty</i>. I don't see how he can think that he's gonna use 60 gigs in two weeks. I think compressing them and splitting them up is enough. He might be able to find them if he searches for all files made or modified on the date you put them on there. Just hope that if he does he doesn't delete any <i>REAL</i> system files that could seriously screw up the comp. That would suck.

MedHead

If your brother isn't computer savvy, put your files in the hidden folders in Windows, and then turn those folders' visibility off.

NEO_Phyte

dose he delete them or just put them in the recycle bin?

Wirhe

Or get programs like BlackFolders or similar. I'm pretty certain www.webattack.com has something useful in their freeware section. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' /><!--endemo-->

Verthandi

<!--QuoteBegin-MedHead+Jul 29 2004, 12:14 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (MedHead @ Jul 29 2004, 12:14 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->If your brother isn't computer savvy, put your files in the hidden folders in Windows, and then turn those folders' visibility off.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-Comprox+Jul 28 2004, 11:39 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Comprox @ Jul 28 2004, 11:39 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->He has admin access to the PC, so he can see all folders. He knows about hidden folders.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

MedHead

Oh, didn't see that part.

Bogglesteinsky

<!--QuoteBegin-Verthandi+Jul 28 2004, 04:59 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Verthandi @ Jul 28 2004, 04:59 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> right-click the 'My Documents' folder, 'Properties', 'Sharing' tab, and then 'Make this folder private'.

This method, while not 100% secure, should provide a sufficient refuge for your filess <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
And with that done, not even a user with admin rights can access them?

Zel

heres a dangerous method;

ive got a peice of software called Restorer2000 that will scan a harddrive for file fragments and rebuild deleted files or whole filesystems. when a file is deleted it is only marked as overwritable by the OS, and then is ignored, so over time that space will be reused, but the data is still there.

if theres 60gb free theres a good chance your data will stay un-overwritten for a few days. however if any part is overwritten, the program will restore the file with the new data on top and it will be corrupted.

sadly doesnt work for me, as i fill up and empty my 160gb drive every other day, so everything is perpetually overwritten.

Verthandi

<!--QuoteBegin-Z.X. Bogglesteinsky+Jul 29 2004, 12:48 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Z.X. Bogglesteinsky @ Jul 29 2004, 12:48 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Verthandi+Jul 28 2004, 04:59 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Verthandi @ Jul 28 2004, 04:59 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> right-click the 'My Documents' folder, 'Properties', 'Sharing' tab, and then 'Make this folder private'.

This method, while not 100% secure, should provide a sufficient refuge for your filess <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
And with that done, not even a user with admin rights can access them? <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yup, it should be safe from all unauthorized access (viewing and modifying), with the exception of the 'Safe Mode' Administrator account, I think.

However, a particularly determined/spiteful Administrator could just delete your whole account and everything associated with it. There is <b>nothing</b> built-in in WinDoze XP to prevent against this possibility.

TheWizard

Making a small partition with a non windows filesystem might be a good idea.

Create such a partition and use a boot disk that has a linux version that can handle the new filesystem and the one on the windows side. Boot it up using linux whenever you need to move files from one partition to the other.

But if he is literate enough to know about hidden files then he probably can format the partition....

eh, just invest in a baseball bat and the appropriate threat.

Dorian_Gray

This method will probably work, but involves partition magic and TweakUI. First, make an extra partition for your data. Then, install TweakUI (delete all shortcuts to it however) and there is a tab under "My Computer" in the program that lets you hide entire drives (not hide as in hidden files, but hide as in inaccessible unless he types the drive letter in the address bar). Just make it an obscure drive letter like Q or something.

I have another idea, but I'm just seeing if it's actually possible...

Drfuzzy

Create a folder in C:\windows and make the name look important, then make it hidden and set folders to dont show hidden files. Then you can just type C:\windows\importantsoundingname and you got you stuff.

Necrotic

Tell him next time he does it you'll format the computer and hide all his OS cd's except windows 95.


Or put them in C:\WINNT\system32\Microsoft\Crypto\RSA as a .rar file renamed to CX85601.dat or something.

Comprox

Oh, I exacted my revenge last night also. I put 46 things into his windows startup, including 10 games, 8 porn sites I found in his favorites and more. Tonight should be fun <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->

Good ideas here tho, this has been most interesting to read, I really like the idea of the hiding the whole drive with TweakUI. If only I had the time and software to do it.

Caboose

Yea, beat him.

If that does not work, back up your data, then take the drive so he can't delete your stuff <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->

DuoTheGodOfDeath

Cast Revenge 1

Deleting all his games DLL files XD

Dorian_Gray

Well you could always just change his account to a limited account, and change the overall Admin password, then set the permissions on your files only to allow you access (I tried setting a second admin's permissions to deny, but it didn't work, hence having to demote him to limited user). Except for the minor flaw that he'd a) notice and b) not be able to do anything with the computer as a limited user...

Sky

1) Grab an axe
2) Chop harddrive in two
3) Give him his half

*note* works best if user has enough cash to buy a new computer with himself as admin

DragonMech

If you're really concerned about your data, try an external hard drive. They can hold a huge ammount of data (some as much as 250 Gigs!) so I'm sure you could fit your data on one.

Comprox

But revenage and hiding files is so much more fun! And those things cost, like, money! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->

Marik_Steele

I agree that making a separate partition works, but don't see the need to give it a non-windows filesystem. Just go to the Disk Management section of Computer Management and remove all drive letter assignments to the separate partition. All the security of NTFS, the ability to switch it on/off as you please within windows, and you completely invalidate fake excuses about how it's interfering with the rest of the system. How can files interfere with windows if windows doesn't even have a <i>name</i> for their location?

Using this method I actually hid 20GB from myself once. Dead serious. I rediscovered it when I needed to do a reformat and thought I'd have to move all of my data over network to another machine. Turns out when I bought the HD I had set aside an unformatted, no-letter-assigned 20GB "just in case I needed it later" <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> , so I just moved my documents into it while I nuked the rest of the drive.

Quaunaut

Tell your bro if he messes with the stuff one more time, you'll show the rest of the family the porn he's got. If he says "But I don't have any" you just say "You don't <i>now</i>..."

OttoDestruct

Format the computer and leav a sticky note saying windows was taking up too much space.

Jimmeh

Install Linux and hide the windows CDs

Comprox

Ahhh, what would I do without your wonderful minds, I think Ill combine all 3 of the last posts into one grand finale when all done... <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->

Nah, thats too mean.

Mullet

I'M RICK JAMES, B**CH!