There's no such thing as a stupid question, but they're the easiest to answer.
JoinTour
Login
 
Tag Cloud
access audio avg avg 8 bios blue screen boot bsod computer connection cpu crash css dell desktop dma driver drivers dvd email error excel explorer firefox firefox 3 freeze gimp graphics hard drive hardware hijackthis hjt install internet internet explorer itunes keyboard laptop macro malware monitor motherboard network networking outlook outlook 2003 outlook 2007 outlook express pio problem problems router seo server slow sound sp3 spyware trojan usb video virtumonde virus vista vundo windows windows vista windows xp winxp wireless
Reviews
Search
Search in:
 
Advanced Search
Tech Support Guy Forums > General Technology > Reviews >
Folder Lock Warning!!


HELLO AND WELCOME! Before you can post your question, you'll have to register -- it's completely free! Click here to join today! We highly recommend that you print a copy of our Guide for New Members. Enjoy!

 
Thread Tools
Saxon's Avatar
Senior Member with 329 posts.
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Experience: Advanced
06-Aug-2005, 02:31 PM #1
Folder Lock Warning!!
I downloaded this program and installed it, and almost immediately I got a BSOD from which my system could not recover. Everytime I tried to boot up my computer and log on I got the same BSOD. Don't ask me what the error was as I was too gobsmacked to care, luckily I had made a disk image with Acronis Trueimage two days earlier so I could easily restore my system. I am just telling everyone this in case you may be about to install this program and warn you not to do so. Here is the link so you can identify it positively.

www.newsoftwares.net/folderlock
__________________
"We can proceed with a velvet glove, but within must lie an iron fist."

Otto Von Bismarck
blues_harp28's Avatar
Distinguished Member with 7,716 posts.
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: London England
06-Aug-2005, 02:38 PM #2
Hi..Thanks for the warning..and the reminder of having a ( get out of jail free card) back up for our system..
mike5532g's Avatar
Distinguished Member with 2,392 posts.
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: McAlester, OK
Experience: Intermediate
06-Aug-2005, 06:43 PM #3
I tried that program earlier this year and had no problems with it. Perhaps that particular version has some flaws, I don't remember which one I tried.

Thanks for the heads up.
SIR****TMG's Avatar
Computer Specs
Distinguished Member with 25,110 posts.
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: FOREST ,OHIO
Experience: Learning Every Day
10-Aug-2005, 07:20 AM #4
Thanks for the warning...................
Tomhubba's Avatar
Junior Member with 1 posts.
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Experience: Advanced
11-Aug-2005, 06:27 PM #5
Folder Lock driver problems
Immediately after installing Folder Lock 5.2.4. and also 5.2.5, I began receiving Q293078 device driver msgs. in XP. Programs opened without selecting them and my comp continually rebooted by itself. I emailed Folder Lock
Tech Support, and received no replys, although their site says "you'll be amazed how fast we answer". I was truly amazed. They are aware of their problem and choose to ignore it. By the way Folder Lock is offering $25.00 worth of free software to anyone rating their software 5 star.
Now THATS amazing! I am in the process of trying to get a refund. Buyer Beware!
Alan18's Avatar
Distinguished Member with 4,109 posts.
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Moncton N.B.
Experience: Intermediate
11-Aug-2005, 07:58 PM #6
Thanks for the heads up!
jiml8's Avatar
Senior Member with 1,514 posts.
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Experience: I've been at this for too long.
14-Aug-2005, 08:24 PM #7
As a developer, I have to comment.

I have no experience with the particular product, but the idea that they would put out a product that gives BSODs is probably absurd.

Now, if you install my software and you have the Klez virus, the installation of my package will render your system unbootable. If you install my package on a corrupted file system (extremely common problem in Windows) then you will get unpredictable results.

I can't do anything about it. My package installs fine and works fine on all systems that are themselves properly maintained and in good condition, but I have no idea at all what will happen when you just try to slap it onto an already hosed system - and my package operates in Windows at a very high level, pretty much the top of the OS, which means that its dependence on proper system operation is less than that of many other things.

Folder Lock operates in Windows at a lower level, and one would expect therefore that it would have more extensive requirements for cleanliness of the system than my package has since it hooks in more deeply.

My point is this. In the vast, vast majority of cases where a software install goes badly wrong, it happens because there was something wrong with the system in the first place that the software package couldn't cope with. This is not always true; I personally have encountered seriously defective software from the vendor, and it does occasionally happen.

But not usually.

Before installing a new software package, you should run chkdsk on the system to ensure the file system is cleaned up, and you should also make sure that the system is free of spyware, viruses, trojans etc because any of those things can interfere with the installation in a fashion that the software developer cannot predict and cannot guard against.
lucretius's Avatar
Junior Member with 3 posts.
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Experience: Advanced
18-Oct-2005, 06:29 PM #8
Thumbs down Folder Lock Warning!!
Folder lock is neither secure nor portable.

First, about security (then maybe no point reading bey0nd that):

Folder Lock can be bypassed by:
1/ locate the folder it is locking
2/ copy the locked folder to another directory
3/ install Folder Lock (again) in the new dir.
4/ set password
5/ open the copy of the original locked folder.

Now about portability (if you're still interested):

When attempting to launch Folder Lock from the USB key on a computer other than the one where Folder Lock was installed, I get the following message: Component 'vaultskn.ocx' or one of its dependencies not correctly registered: a file is missing or invalid. I moved the program to the USB key via running the Folder Lock program. The problem is that it will not run properly from the USB key on a locked down user account -- which is a necessary requirement around here (do many people normally work with admin rights turned on, if so, this is dangerous). I purchased the program so I could lock files on a USB key. But the program will not work properly from another computer for which I have no admin rights. It will not even work right from the USB key on a locked down user account on a computer where the 'vaultskn.ocx' was registered (via an admin account - in this case the program keeps asking for a new password: can't remember the original one and it won't terminate properly).

Been asking for a refund but no luck so far. BUYER BEWARE!
eyes_open_00's Avatar
Junior Member with 2 posts.
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Experience: Advanced
29-Oct-2005, 04:57 PM #9
The program documentation clearly states that locking folders other than the locker is a rudimentary form of protection that does not secure the folders from DOS or other indirect types of access. File Lock is not easy to defeat if you store your files in the locker as recommended by the program author.

The locker directory is hidden from the operating system and cannot be copied. Copying the parent folder does not copy the locker (if the locker is in locked mode). You can only unlock the locker by running File Lock from the disk that contains the locker. So installing FL on another drive to reset the password won't work.

I can't comment on portable locking because I haven't tried it. I am having a problem at the moment with the ctrl-alt-F startup sequence not working in stealth mode. I'm going to contact customer support to see what they say. Other than that, the product seems to work as advertised on my system.
lucretius's Avatar
Junior Member with 3 posts.
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Experience: Advanced
02-Nov-2005, 07:43 AM #10
Quote:
Originally Posted by eyes_open_00
The program documentation clearly states that locking folders other than the locker is a rudimentary form of protection that does not secure the folders from DOS or other indirect types of access. File Lock is not easy to defeat if you store your files in the locker as recommended by the program author.

The locker directory is hidden from the operating system and cannot be copied. Copying the parent folder does not copy the locker (if the locker is in locked mode). You can only unlock the locker by running File Lock from the disk that contains the locker. So installing FL on another drive to reset the password won't work.

I can't comment on portable locking because I haven't tried it. I am having a problem at the moment with the ctrl-alt-F startup sequence not working in stealth mode. I'm going to contact customer support to see what they say. Other than that, the product seems to work as advertised on my system.
I'll try to recreate the sequence for unlocking folders without the original password this weekend. I think it can be done without moving folders (just uninstalling and reinstalling the program). I originally tested this for use with a USB key, so I don't know about folders on the harddrive.

As for portability, administrative rights are required in order to register the 'vaultskn.ocx' file and this has been confirmed with the vendor. This alone makes it non-portable but even so, I'm not convinced that anything less than a full install of the program on the recipient machine will do.
eyes_open_00's Avatar
Junior Member with 2 posts.
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Experience: Advanced
02-Nov-2005, 11:56 AM #11
When FL is locked, it can't be uninstalled. But if you do manage to find a security flaw, I would certainly love to hear about it. So far, it seems okay on my system.

I did get the ctrl-alt-F sequence to work. Just needed to reboot after installation.
lucretius's Avatar
Junior Member with 3 posts.
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Experience: Advanced
02-Nov-2005, 01:06 PM #12
Quote:
Originally Posted by eyes_open_00
When FL is locked, it can't be uninstalled. But if you do manage to find a security flaw, I would certainly love to hear about it. So far, it seems okay on my system.

I did get the ctrl-alt-F sequence to work. Just needed to reboot after installation.
First, Folder Lock can be uninstalled if the vault is located on a USB key. Second, it's not a matter of discovering a flaw -- I've already came upon it (really by accident, when I was trying to get it to work on my USB key). As I said before, I have to look at it on the weekend again, since I don't remember all the details now. Even if the program were not flawed, certainly there are better alternatives including Cryptainer and Truecrypt, both free.
valis's Avatar
Computer Specs
Community Moderator with 23,387 posts.
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Texas
Experience: cp/m -->
02-Nov-2005, 01:10 PM #13
FWIW, I installed it this am, and have had zero issues to date....however, now I am considering uninstalling it....but we'll see....hasn't crashed the sys yet, and i've used it a few times and rebooted twice, just to test it....
Fizban's Avatar
Computer Specs
Senior Member with 781 posts.
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: UK
Experience: I used to know stuff but I've slept since then
03-Nov-2005, 11:32 AM #14
I tried the pesky little sucker and almost immediately I got BSOD. This app is a piece of crap.

Jiml8 I understand you're point and see where you're coming from, but I have to say when it comes to system maintenance I'm an obsessive. Not a day goes by without me running chkdsk, defrag or whatever, I know my system won't be perfect but its more stable than most and it still got screwed up.
limchoonhong's Avatar
Junior Member with 4 posts.
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
11-Nov-2005, 01:00 AM #15
Smile Break through FolderLock
Hi, I'm not writing to criticize FolderLock. In fact, I'm a registered user.

I think FolderLock is not intendly to cause BSOD, bad sector of disk rite? If I'm not mistaken. I think it's one of its technique to protect the files from being accessed in Windows, DOS and other OS (Linux).

Anyway, I discovered several ways to break through FolderLock to get the files hidden/or protected. Just want to share with all of you.

I have tried many times to inform the developer about that. Since version 5.2.0 till now they haven't fix up the leak.

You can use NC (Norton Commander) for DOS to access the FolderLock Locked Folder. Browse your Locked Folder by using nc.exe and you can see everything there! You can copy, delete, move, etc. from there!

Funny rite..
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

You Are Using:
Server ID
Advertisements do not imply our endorsement of that product or service.
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:30 AM.
Copyright © 1996 - 2008 TechGuy, Inc. All rights reserved.
Powered by vBulletin, Copyright © 2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.1.0
Powered by Cermak Technologies, Inc.