Encrypting Files and Folders

If a snoop can’t log on to your Windows PC, does that mean your data is safe? No, unfortunately, it most certainly does not. If a cracker has physical access to your PC—either by sneaking into your office or by stealing your computer—the cracker can use advanced utilities to view the contents of your hard drive. This means that if your PC contains extremely sensitive or confidential information—personal financial files, medical histories, corporate salary data, trade secrets, business plans, journals or diaries—it wouldn’t be hard for the interloper to read and even copy that data.

If you’re worried about anyone viewing these or other “for your eyes only” files, Windows 8 enables you to encrypt the file information. ...

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