How to password protect a file?

Chris_96_WS6

Hey, quick question. My wife got me a 1gb USB stick for my birthday last weekend, its small enough to go on my keychain.

I want to create a password protected document that contains all my board usersnames/passwords/admin passwords for various websites I own/manage/visit. This file would reside on the USB stick, I just don't want anyone to be able to open it should I leave my keys somewhere (I'm 32 and have never misplaced them yet, knock on wood).

The only file type I can think of that you can password protect it from opening is an Excel file, but not every machine has excel installed. I need a file type that is universal (like an html file) but is password protectable.

Any ideas?

madwormer2

Zip.

Chris_96_WS6

Didn't think of that. Nice!

madwormer2

One worded answers are totally the best. Glad to help lol.

michaewlewis

actually, zip file are relatively easy to crack.
Take a look at the sourceforge.net security section on the software map. You'll find some good solutions there.

stolzyboy

yeah, they are relatively easy to crack... but any joe smoe that picks it up should he lose it will likely not be able to do it

michaewlewis

I wouldn't be too sure about that... identity theft is an ever increasing problem and if someone sees the keychain and looks at it and sees a password protected file, they would probably get a little curious. All they would have to do is do a quick little search for "cracking zip files" and would bring up all kinds of stuff to expose a guy.
If it were me, I would go with something with a secure encryption algorithm.

stolzyboy

you are thinking about people like us... MOST, like i said aren't going to be able to even understand wtf an algorithm is or how to use anything

i am talking about the average individual, there are FAR more of them then there are us

and if you are worried THAT much about identity theft, don't carry a flash drive around with you with a file that has your passwords/etc... on it, remember them

i have about 15-20 user/pass combos i have to use at work and they change at certain intervals, i don't have them written down and if i did, it would be a violation of the requirements set down upon us by the government

stolzyboy

laserlight

You could try TrueCrypt, if you want to take michaewlewis' advice about strong encryption algorithms.