Windows 10: SERIOUS HELP NEEDED: How To Store Files So They Can't Altered?

Hey everyone, I'm sorry to be creating a thread about this, but this is a super worrying problem for me.

This is my problem:

I want to backup all of my work files and personal files and ebook files which are in the format of .PDF files. I was going to use an external USB HDD, BUT it seems so easy for someone to just open up a .PDF and just make slight changes to it like removing text or altering the text slightly so that the information is changed without me knowing it.

The best idea I had was that I could use a non-rewritable disc like a DVD-R to store the files.

I'd be VERY grateful for any help!

:)

 

How to backup so when needed back they look as when backed up?

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Based on the screenshots you've provided, it seems that all of the backed up files are saved emails. An EML file is an email message saved using Outlook Express and any other email clients.

For further checking, have you backed up other files (not email)? If yes, are you getting the same result? (File name shows as code).

We'll be waiting for your response.

 

How to backup so when needed back they look as when backed up?

Hi Adela,

We have read the first part of your post, and we'd like to know how you
backed up your files for better assistance?

Note: The backup files should be the same with the original files.

Please also check the useful links below to know more about Microsoft Community:

• Microsoft Community Frequently Asked Questions
• How to include a screenshot in your post

We're looking forward to your reply

 

You can use password protection on your PDF files which is usually built into whatever PDF software you're using and it's best to use a password to restrict opening a PDF file than one to restrict editing it as software like Password Recovery Kit Professional can easily remove editing passwords but not to open it. You can also use Winrar or 7-Zip or similar compression software to password protect your files. Either way you should back up your files on either an external hard drive or a DVD or both as well as take a system image often to protect against loss of data. Other ways to protect very sensitive docs is to password protect it with Winrar or others then hide it inside a picture so most people opening the file will just see the picture without knowing there's something else in there

 

I recommend making passworded full images of your OS partition and data partition onto your reliable and trustworthy external media. Two platter-driven usb 1-3TB external HDs should be aok for your computer. For example, Macrium Reflect and Image for Windows are just two of many backup/restore programs that will let you password each full image you make.

 

Thanks so much!

I've got Adobe Acrobat installed. Is this all I need

What about ebooks that are not created by me? For example, ebooks made by an author?

 

You can password protect any pdf in Acrobat by clicking File/Properties/Security. See screens. A quicker way, if you have few people looking at your drive, is to put the pdf's in a folder and make it Hidden so someone would have to enable it in View (if he were really snoopy).

 

Wow, your screenshots are a big help!

I just tried doing that with 5 different .PDF files, but I'm given this error:
"The document's security method restricts what can be done to the document."

I tried uploading a screenshot to make it easier for you, but I couldn't get it to work.

EDIT:

I found another way called 'Protect' inside Adobe Acrobat that says this, but it's $15 a month and I want something free: Protect sensitive information


Prevent others from copying, printing and editing information in PDFs.

 

Do you want it protected from anyone seeing it or just editing it as you can protect your eBook files with Winrar or the free and excellent 7-Zip by archiving them with a password and saving on whatever media. Search Google on how to access the protection panel from the tools menu in Adobe and try to do the password from there

 

I'm given this error: "The document's security method restricts what can be done to the document."

Did you try to edit a pdf after entering the password ? Try it to see what IS restricted.

I tried uploading a screenshot to make it easier for you, but I couldn't get it to work.

See screens. Click icon in reply and use dialog box that opens.







The suggestion in post 7 is along the same line as my Hidden folder suggestion. Put the content you want to protect into a folder, zip it and add password. Do you regularly backup to recover orig's ? Is your computer password protected or why do others have access to view or edit YOUR files ?

 

Certainly nobody could alter the files on a DVD-R or CD-R after you'd burned it.
Locking the media in a safe might give you some peace of mind.

 

I encrypt sensitive files, or folders with files, with Kryptel (freeware). Never forget your password!

 

A word of caution if you decide to use DVD media. Most blank DVD media you find in stores today are junk. You may wind up with a lot of coasters. Even worse someday in the future you may not be able to access your data on the DVD. DVDs are slowing phasing out. HDDs and flash drives are getting so inexpensive today that they are your best bet. *Smile

 

I want to be able to store the files and know that they can't be altered in the future by anyone, including myself.

 

If you don't want to ever edit pdf files you can always convert them to picture files which can be done in Acrobat and others and reassemble them as pdf again then put a password on opening the files or use compression software as discussed before to archive them with a password then back it all up to an external hard drive which can be kept disconnected from the computer ones the backup is done. You don't have to archive one file at a time but can compress whole folders in one archive and use the built in password protection to keep it safe. When creating an archive and putting a password make sure you tick an option called "Encrypt File Names" which will, in either Winrar or 7-Zip, make it ask for a password to open the whole archive and not the individual files inside it which can become tedious to do as you would need to re-type the password for every file inside. You can do the same for your eBooks as far as also compressing them with a password and backing up to an external hard drive as well as DVDs