Is it possible to put an encryption on a microsoft excel 2007 file?

seligehgit · 18-06-2011 04:38PM #1

Hi there,
I wish to encrypt a confidential excel file.I have Microsoft Excel 2007,operating system is Vista.I tried right clicking the file,clicking on the properties tab,clicking the advanced tab in the general propertied but I was unable to tick the box in order to encrypt contents to secure data.It appears to be greyed out!!Any free apps out there to apply a lock/password on this file.Before you say I have put a general password on my laptop!Hope you guys can help.:D
Regards,
Selig

slimjimmc · 18-06-2011 06:12PM

TrueCrypt is a free encryption app, You can run the exe without even installing it.

You can create a password encrypted container (folder) on the hard disc or USB drive and drop any file into it. You can copy and move the container anywhere and it'll remain encrypted. You just need the truecrypt.exe and password to unlock the container.

homer911 · 18-06-2011 07:58PM

Password to open or password to modify?

Whats wrong with the inbuilt functionality?

Save Dialogue Box > Tools > General Options

seligehgit · 19-06-2011 12:30AM

slimjimmc wrote: »

TrueCrypt is a free encryption app, You can run the exe without even installing it.

You can create a password encrypted container (folder) on the hard disc or USB drive and drop any file into it. You can copy and move the container anywhere and it'll remain encrypted. You just need the truecrypt.exe and password to unlock the container.

I've created a password encrypted folder,I understand that you only use the password to mount the volume.The files are encryted within the container but how are they secure when no password is required to open the file in the container as per the TrueEncrypt User Manual?I get the concept of the fact that is encrypted within the password encrypted folder but you only have to click on the folder to view it.Finding it hard to get my head around the fact that it is secure when anybody can just vlick on the designated drive.Pardon my stupidity,I'm no techno!!!!!!!!!!!!!:eek:

seligehgit · 19-06-2011 12:31AM

homer911 wrote: »

Password to open or password to modify?

Whats wrong with the inbuilt functionality?

Save Dialogue Box > Tools > General Options

Not too sure that I can access this in built functionality!:eek:

slimjimmc · 19-06-2011 10:58AM

seligehgit wrote: »

I've created a password encrypted folder,I understand that you only use the password to mount the volume.The files are encryted within the container but how are they secure when no password is required to open the file in the container as per the TrueEncrypt User Manual?I get the concept of the fact that is encrypted within the password encrypted folder but you only have to click on the folder to view it.Finding it hard to get my head around the fact that it is secure when anybody can just vlick on the designated drive.Pardon my stupidity,I'm no techno!!!!!!!!!!!!!:eek:

You can view the file container only while it's mounted, to mount it you need the application (TrueCrypt) and the password you used during encryption. Without both of these 2 factors the container and any files you have saved in it are secure.

Dismount it when you don't need to use it. The dismounted container is unreadable without the app and password.

Disable auto-mount if you've switched it on.

slimjimmc · 19-06-2011 11:20AM

homer911 wrote: »

Password to open or password to modify?

Whats wrong with the inbuilt functionality?

Save Dialogue Box > Tools > General Options

Depends on how secure the OP wants the data.

The inbuilt passwords are easy to crack, the embedded passwords are only really designed to deter your average user. That might be good enough for the OP, but he should be aware that there are loads of free and cheap commercial products which can crack or remove the embedded passwords in minutes or hours, e.g.
http://www.lostpassword.com/excel.htm

Using any encryption app with 256AES and a 20-digit password will be far far more secure. A cracker could get lucky on their first attempt but equally it could take 100s of years.

seligehgit · 19-06-2011 04:04PM

Thanks a lot slimjimmc,yeah worked it out.You've been very helpful.Dismounting the container encrypts it,using a 20 digit password.I think it is secure enough for what I'm storing.

Capt'n Midnight · 19-06-2011 09:14PM

Truecrypt doesn't encrypt the file itself.

If you copy or email the file anyone will be able to open it without a password.

There is also a good chance a copy of the file in temp folders too.

Good security uses layers
BIOS password
HDD password (set in Bios)
Truecrypt / Bitlocker on whole drive or folder

EFS is where on an NTFS file system you can encrypt a file / folder by right clicking on it, no passwords as it's all tied in with your windows passowrd
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/What-is-Encrypting-File-System-EFS

again with all of the above the file is decrypted if you copy it elsewhere or prossibly even open it

To put a passsword on the file so it can't be opened without the password (which can be cracked BTW) use the save as menu above (note: if you save as a different file type you may get poorer encryption or none in the case of txt files)

If paranoid about the file then use something like www.7zip.org to put an extra layer around it befroe emailing or putting on a USB key

Is it possible to put an encryption on a microsoft excel 2007 file?

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