RE: Decrypt File

["David Gillett" <gillettdavid () fhda edu>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: James Yang [mailto:guanghuyang () yahoo com cn]
> Sent: May 14, 2003 20:39
> To: security-basics () securityfocus com
> Subject: Decrypt File
>
>    My system occurred problem yesterday. I backuped my files 
> and then  reinstalled my W2K system. After I copied back my 
> files I found I couldn't  open the encrypted files.     How 
> can I open, could anyone give me a tip.     Thanks.

  I'm assuming that by "encrypted" you mean you've been using
EFS (Encrypted File System), and that by "reinstalled" you mean
something like "did a clean format and brand new installation".

  EFS files can be decrypted and re-encrypted by the owner, or
decrypted (only) by a designated recovery agent -- by default,
the administrator account.
  If you did a clean installation, the new installation has its
own administrator account and (probably) personal account for 
you.  None of the accounts from the previous installation exists
any more.

  I recommend, when people ask me, that EFS only be used in a
*domain* context.  That way, the default recovery agent is the 
domain administrator account, which will survive reinstalls of 
individual client machines, and even (if there are multiple 
domain controllers) reinstalls of any single domain controller.
  I do not recommend its use on single stand-alone machines,
because if neither the owner nor recovery agent account exists
any more, your third alternative is to try to convince the FBI
that Al Qaeda has hidden data in your encrypted files -- allegedly
they've cracked EFS (although I suspect that what they actually
did in Afghanistan was crack the administrator password, and that
won't help you now).

David Gillett



---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thinking About Security Training? You Can't Afford Not To!

Vigilar's industry leading curriculum includes:  Security +, Check Point, 
Hacking & Assessment, Cisco Security, Wireless Security & more! Register Now!
--UP TO 30% off classes in select cities-- 
http://www.securityfocus.com/Vigilar-security-basics
----------------------------------------------------------------------------