Re: EFS - Please help to unsecure data

From: Jupiter Jones [MVP] (jones_jupiter_at_hotnomail.com)
Date: 02/06/05 

Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2005 02:40:32 -0700

Galen;
These types of tools are well known, but the key is still needed.
If there are tools available to decrypt without the keys, this is not the
tool.

Download then extract the program.
readme.txt
Under "Known problems and limitations"
"The program can decrypt protected files only if encryption keys (at least,
some of them) are still exist in the system and have not been tampered." 

-- 
Jupiter Jones  [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/
"Galen" <galennews@gmail.com> wrote in message 
news:%23Wiau0CDFHA.1260@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> In news:%23RTRO57CFHA.3976@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl,
> 781 <lets@have.org> had this to say:
>
>
>> I have been formatting my HD for couple of times and did not have a
>> problem like this.
>> I have encrypted some folders with VERY important files on it and
>> have never had access problems with it. After each format I would go
>> into G partition and set myself as an owner.
>> After that I would have access to my files.
>> I have now reformatted my drive for the 3rd time. This time, somehow
>> I am unable to gain access to my files: Access Denied.
>> Please show me a way to get these before I pull all my hair off my
>> head. Thank you, and appreciate your help.
>> G
>
> Before you give up all hope and believe that the encryption used by 
> Windows
> is 'unbreakable' you can start at a search engine and look up EFS 
> decryption
> software for instance. There are tools available for this and some of them
> even work. The encryption isn't really that strong at all and a decent
> computer could probably 'brute force' the key in a short time. Here's a 
> link
> to a TRIAL version of one such application:
>
> http://www.crackpassword.com/advanced_efs_data_recovery.html
>
> While there's some moral qualms about giving out this sort of information
> you could easily find that same link by heading to your favorite search
> engine and entering in the correct data. In the past I've come across a
> couple of freeware versions of EFS Decryption tools but, alas, none of the
> links come to mind at this point. There's a trial version here that seems 
> to
> be limited in some ways. What the limits are I do not know. However,
> assuming that the trial does indeed prove that it works if it won't 
> recover
> your files the price that they're charging is well worth the recovery of 
> 11
> years of data. It's fortunate that EFS isn't really as strong as people
> think or you'd probably not be able to recover the work. While you're in a
> search engine you might want to take a few minutes to learn about some of
> your other options that are stronger and store the keys internally (and
> different keys for each individual file) and require passwords to open.
> There's a number of freeware/shareware/payware applications available so 
> I'm
> not going to recommend a specific software vendor. A good thing to keep in
> mind, should you look into additional encryption options, is to make sure
> that you do things like use strong passwords of 8 to 12 characters using
> both alphanumeric characters and special symbols. While it doesn't insure
> that your data is 'unbreakable' it does mean that it's more difficult for
> someone to brute force the file and gain access to your secure data.
>
> Galen
> -- 
>
> "My mind rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me
> the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis, and I am
> in my own proper atmosphere. I can dispense then with artificial
> stimulants. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for
> mental exaltation." -- Sherlock Holmes
>
>

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