Scribd
Upload
7 views3 pages

Encryption

This document outlines a procedure for encrypting a folder using a password-protected archive to ensure data confidentiality. By utilizing AES-256 encryption through file archiving utilities like WinRAR or 7-Zip, unauthorized access to the folder's contents is prevented, even if the archive is transferred to another device. The exercise emphasizes the significance of encryption in protecting sensitive information and maintaining information assurance principles.

Uploaded by

Jorge Louise Venerable
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
7 views3 pages

Encryption

This document outlines a procedure for encrypting a folder using a password-protected archive to ensure data confidentiality. By utilizing AES-256 encryption through file archiving utilities like WinRAR or 7-Zip, unauthorized access to the folder's contents is prevented, even if the archive is transferred to another device. The exercise emphasizes the significance of encryption in protecting sensitive information and maintaining information assurance principles.

Uploaded by

Jorge Louise Venerable
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Title: Folder Encryption Using a Password-Protected Archive

Course: CSC 308 – Information Assurance and Security

Objective

The purpose of this activity was to demonstrate how a folder and its contents
can be protected through encryption. The goal was to ensure that
unauthorized users cannot access the data, even if the folder is copied to
another device. This exercise highlights the principle of confidentiality in
information assurance, showing how encryption enforces controlled access to
sensitive information.

Description of the Method

A folder containing multiple files was secured by creating a password-


protected archive using a file archiving utility such as WinRAR or 7-Zip. The
archive compresses the folder while applying AES-256 encryption, which
renders the contents unreadable without the correct password. This ensures
that even if the archive is transferred to another computer, the files remain
protected. This method provides a practical demonstration of encryption in a
real-world scenario.

Procedure

1. Organize the folder to include only the files intended for encryption.

2. Open File Explorer, right-click the folder, and select “Add to archive”
from the context menu.
3. In the archive creation window, enter a name for the archive and
choose the compression format, such as .zip or .7z.

4. Enter a password in the encryption settings and enable encrypt file


names to prevent unauthorized users from seeing the file list.

5. Confirm the settings and create the archive, producing a single


encrypted file containing all the original contents.

6. Test the archive by attempting to open it; the system prompts for the
password, confirming that the encryption is active.

7. Optionally, delete or move the original folder to a secure location,


leaving the encrypted archive as the protected version of the data.

Result

The password-protected archive successfully restricted access to the folder


contents. Attempts to open or extract files without the password were
blocked, ensuring that only authorized users could access the information.
The archive could be transferred to another device, and the files remained
inaccessible without the password, demonstrating effective protection of
sensitive data.
Security Explanation

The archive uses AES-256 symmetric encryption, which requires the same
password to encrypt and decrypt the files. This ensures that unauthorized
users cannot access the data even if they obtain the encrypted archive.
Encryption protects confidentiality and prevents data breaches during
storage or transfer.

Conclusion

This activity successfully demonstrated folder encryption using a password-


protected archive. The process effectively restricted access to authorized
users only and highlighted a practical approach to protecting sensitive
information when advanced tools like BitLocker or EFS are unavailable. The
exercise shows the importance of encryption in maintaining data
confidentiality and supporting information assurance principles.

You might also like