Copy Data To DVD and Encrypt/Password Protect The DVD

[engine]

I want to mail a DVD with some data files on it, but i'm not comfortable dropping it in the mail with no protection for the data.

I'd like to be able to either, encrypt the data at this end, and supply a key to the person i'm mailing the data to for them to un-encrypt the data, or, i'd like to, at the very least, password protect the DVD.

I really don't want to spend a lot of money on a tool that will do this, especially as it's a one-off.

It should be easy to use, and work with common dvd burning tools such as nero.

The system is Win XP Pro at either end.

Anyone with suggestions?

[eelixduppy]

If it were me I'd probably use PGP data encryption. Odds are more likely that the data will be stolen from either your computer or their computer, though, when it's not encrypted. ;)

[Frank_Rizzo]

Simplest solution is to winzip it with a password. Rename the .zip file as .iso / .orb / or .mp4 to fool anyone who gets their hands on it.

Not the securest but it is cheap, simple, and quick (well the zipping / unzipping may take some time on a slow PC).

[kaled]

TrueCrypt...

If you have a little time to learn how to use it, this what you want. You will need to create an encrypted volume on your hard disk, add the files and then copy the volume to the DVD.

Using a USB drive to experiment, learn to place Truecrypt on a portable drive (it's easy) then add the necessary files to the DVD.

Voila... the disk will autostart with Truecrypt.

Kaled.

[incrediBILL]

Winzip would be my simple solution as well and I like Frank's simple suggestions for befuddling the easily befuddled that might find the disk.

[J_RaD]

Rename the .zip file as .iso / .orb / or .mp4 to fool anyone who gets their hands on it.

just remove it altogether

[kaled]

The first two bytes of most zip files read "PK". File formats can normally be identified quite quickly so changing the extension does little for security.

Kaled.

[Leosghost]

rar ( with password ) to multiple files ..burn the even numbers on one disc ..the odd numbers on another ..send separately ( different envelopes and couriers )..send the password via email ..

let the recipient reassemble

( tell them copy all files from both discs to the same directory on their machine )

plenty of free apps that can unrar

you can even make the rars into an auto exe..and still send the even and odd numbers seperately ..on receipt ..they copy all to directory and run the exe ..

test the integrity ( do the above yourself to test the discs ) of the files yourself once they are burned ..before sending.

you can make this kind of data exchange as simple or as complex as you want ..( make every third or fifth file available only via download from separate sites etc ..

paranoia can be self fueling :)

btw ..use imageburn [imgburn.com] ..it's not bloatware ..and it's free .and no spyware ..nero on the other hand is huge ..slow ..and proprietary ( paid for ) ..and tries to take over the machines it gets installed on .

[incrediBILL]

The first two bytes of most zip files read "PK".

But how many people would really look for Phil Katz stamp on that file? ;)

He's dead you know, doubt Thom Henderson is shedding any tears.