Encrypting a text file

[Rossatron]

Hey,

I have some text files I want to encrypt. Basically, I want to encrypt them; open them when needed, enter my key and do some editing; at the end I want to encrypt the text file back.
The files are private text files, which I will be editing on a regular basis, and I want to make sure they remain "for my eyes only". Also the text itself needs to be encrypted, so if someone opens it in a text editor, all they will see will be gibrish

 

[scaredpoet]

Easiest way I know of is to create an encrypted disk image and store the text files (or any other files) inside of it.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1578

 

[Rossatron]

Do you know if I can do that with a removable media, like an SD card?

 

[csjo00]

Yes, you can. You just have a disk image file that's encrypted on the flash drive.

The only downside to this is that you have to have a computer with OS X on it to open the disk image. (I'm unaware of there being an Linux or Windows program to do this.)

You could also look into TrueCrypt. There are plenty of guides out there on the internet, and it's cross platform.

 

[0dev]

Do they have to be text files? If you use .docx files they have built in encryption support and if you don't have Microsoft Office you can use Open Office which does it just fine as well.

If they absolutely have to be plain text files then use TrueCrypt. Nothing comes close to that level of security. Plus you can put a portable version of it on a USB stick if you need to use these files on multiple computers.

 

[Rossatron]

Yes, you can. You just have a disk image file that's encrypted on the flash drive.

The only downside to this is that you have to have a computer with OS X on it to open the disk image. (I'm unaware of there being an Linux or Windows program to do this.)

You could also look into TrueCrypt. There are plenty of guides out there on the internet, and it's cross platform.

well, that's not a problem. I'm gonna edit them on my mac only, anyway.

Do they have to be text files? If you use .docx files they have built in encryption support and if you don't have Microsoft Office you can use Open Office which does it just fine as well.

If they absolutely have to be plain text files then use TrueCrypt. Nothing comes close to that level of security. Plus you can put a portable version of it on a USB stick if you need to use these files on multiple computers.

ermmmm idk if they have to be text files. i don't really care as long as i can store text in them.

 

[0dev]

ermmmm idk if they have to be text files. i don't really care as long as i can store text in them.

In that case, if you have Microsoft Office use that, if not go install Open Office for free. If you use Open Office make sure to save the files as .doc or .docx so they also open in Microsoft Office just in case.

To encrypt a file in OO I think all you have to do is hit "save as" then tick "save with a password". For MS Office you go to "preferences" then "security" then do it from there.