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Please add password protection PortableApps launcher

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dohouch
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Please add password protection PortableApps launcher

May not be possible, but having already lost( found it again,ah) an unprotected usb flash drive think this feature would be great.

John T. Haller
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Encrypt It

The only way to secure stuff is to encrypt it. Anything that only "password protects" and doesn't say that it fully encrypts your files is not secure and can be bypassed.

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BBE
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so than

well than why don't you include a password protector so that you can't launch a portable app without typing a password

John T. Haller
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Because it would be fake

Because it would be fake security. "Security by obscurity" should never be relied upon. A user could just open up the directory and run the app directory.

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Ryan McCue
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At my school

For some reason my friends rely on security by obscurity. They put files in directories like, 10 deep.
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Bahamut
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What are they hiding?

What are they hiding?

Vintage!

Ryan McCue
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Just

Files like games, schoolwork, more games, PortableApps, more games and did I mention games? Wink
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kissdznuts
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Downloaded files, torrents,

Downloaded files, torrents, etc.

John T. Haller
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Security by Obscurity

I've been considering adding a security by obscurity option. It would show a warning on the screen when first enabled, but it would add a small element of of obscure security that would be enough to fool the average Joe. Things like renaming and hiding folders and stuff. Along with a password on launch of the menu that, if failed maybe 5 times, would format the drive.

Is there interest?

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Bahamut
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Without the option to format

Without the option to format the drive, though. Yikes.

Vintage!

John T. Haller
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Then what's the point?

Then what's the point, really? It wouldn't be automatic. It would simply lock out the menu and allow you to either format or exit when you launch it after that point.

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Bahamut
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Just lock out the menu. What

Just lock out the menu. What would be the point of formatting, especially if it's not automatic?

There's not much security that can be had using only obscurity.

Vintage!

John T. Haller
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Lots of things use it, though

Windows' user login is a perfect example of security by obscurity. You can fire up a live Linux CD and blank out any Windows password in under 5 minutes. Unless you have Windows encrypt the files on your laptop, for instance, if you lose it, someone can easily access all of your files. But, how many people think of a Windows password as "secure"?

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Bahamut
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Which is why physical

Which is why physical security and encryption are important.
And unfortunately, so many people do think the login password is secure, which is why many linux guides warn that a live CD can easily circumvent root's security measures.

In any case, it's always a good idea to encrypt private files and (for one's own computer), disable boot from anything but the HD (not ocmplete protection, of course, but certainly makes things a lot harder for snoopers).

Oh, and I wouldn't really call the Windows password security by obscurity. A live CD is a backdoor.

Vintage!

Ryan McCue
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What about

if the password fails, eject the drive?
Wouldn't that be annoying *evil laugh* Blum
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I was thinking of that

I was thinking of doing that, too.

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Ryan McCue
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Imagine

Using a U3 drive then adding AutoEject.exe (AutoStart -eject or something) and setting it to run automatically!
*evil laugh again*
}:)
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cavedeamon
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hidden folder obsecurity

does anyone know how to make a system hidden folder. On most computers in folder options the show hidden folder field is checked but show system folder is unchecked. This makes hidden folders Pointless .

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Deuce
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hideen folders

Actually, by default the show hidden folder options is off. So it you hide the folder using the hidden checkbox in the file properties. It should be hidden on most pcs, unless you unhide files and folders.

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techguyone
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I say go for it John

Just keep the options uhh "optional" heh, i.e. checkboxes to tick if you want your drive formatted after x attempts or if you want it to eject after x attempts.

If people don't want it, then they don't need to enable it, at least by doing it that way, everyone gets the choice.

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TDE-Prophet
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Autorun security..

Here is what we can do, make the menu password protected. then add a autorun.ini file with the following line:

shell\open\command=StartPortableApps.exe

That line of code makes it so that when you go into my computer and click on the drive, it will automatically run the portable apps menu. Now this is only secure from those who are not real hackers or who have little knowledge. Those who have the ability to use DOS commands or know how to access the drive through the right click context menu. Other than that you are somewhat secure. Please keep in mind that the exe file needs to be in the main directory of the drive. hope this helps.

vexorian
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Firefox and thunderbird

I think most users are pretty much focused on protecting their cookies and email password, so I think that encrypting their data could be a great idea.

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