download instant lock (www.instantlock.net) and leave the setup file on the root of the thumbdrive. you have to install the program on each pc you use portable apps this way, which is a bummer but it works fine otherwise
then i put keepass portable on the root of the thumbdrive too. that way i can use keypass without opening portable apps. also there is no need to lockup the keepass database twice.
open instant lock and create a password. now every pc you install instant lock on you just use the same password and it will find the hidden/locked folder.
inside instant lock, lock up the portable apps folder. this effectively hides the entire portable apps program, and everything inside. the thumbdrive just appears to have keepass on it now, along with the installer.
use instantlock to unlock it and you can use the program until you close instantlock again!
it actually all works really well. i can use firefox password manager now without much worry.
the bad part is i can use filescavanger and hunt out every single file on a locked folder. and i paid $55 for the instant lock program (thought it was different then lite version, it really isnt).
so basically this is an expensive way to keep trusted friends out of your portable apps. i would have no confidence if i lost this drive. i want my money back, it says on the instant lock site there is NO WAY anyone can retrieve your data if its stolen. yeah....
Is there a simpler solution???
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this isnt portable if InstantLock has to be installed on every PC.
The developer formerly known as ZGitRDun8705
Unless InstantLock encrypts the drive contents, all you have to do is reformat the drive, and then use a file recovery utility, and bing badda boom, the bad guys have your data. Their claims should be changed to "There is no way anyone without advance knowledge of how things work can retrieve your data."
This will defend against the petty thief, but against a hacker thief, no dice.
But this app might require admin privs.
http://www.truecrypt.org/
I just searched the web and found this. I have no idea how it works.
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It requires admin privileges unless you use TCExplorer.
cowsay Moo
cowthink 'Dude, why are you staring at me.'
Well, if you can get an admin to run the program once on every machine you intend to use, you can use it after that without being Admin... but that's still iffy.
MC
yall should read that again. that was a ringing endorsement for anything but the instant lock program.
lockngo is more what i want. its about $50 as well though. i might get it, it seems worth it because its so simple. http://www.keynesis.com/products/lockngo-pro/