Unequal Data Protection
TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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What happens if the keycode is lost, misplaced or corrupted? How is the encrypted file recovered?
It is not recoverable. The best way to protect against this is to save the key and the parameters/settings necessary to create the keycode in a separate place. Write down and store these parameters, along with the name of the file on which they were used, in a secure location outside of user’s computer.
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Do you have to use the same keycode (key and parameters) for each file?
No. Users can create a new keycode (new key and/or different parameters) for as many files as they encrypt. Users must keep a log entry of each separate keycode and the file(s) it encrypts. -
What are the encryption levels that restrict the encryption to one file?
Within the “VASE Encryption Control” window, the drop-down box labeled "0,1,2,3,4,or 5" will select the encryption level. Levels "2,4,and 5" use the filename as part of the encryption algorithm and, therefore, are restricted to “One File” encryption as opposed to the "Two Files" method which involves creating a new secondary file that is encrypted and leaving the target file unencrypted.
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What are the recommended settings for an encryption key?
Fill in all fields within the VASE Encryption Control window. Use a password to limit access to the VASE Encryption Control window after the desired parameters are entered and the key file is created.
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How can I create a public key?
From the main “VASE File Safe” window, press the ”EC Key” button. Modify the keycode parameters and settings, then exit the window and exit the program. This will update the default key file. Open VASE File Safe and press the “EC Key” again. This time press the “Make Public Key” button and save the file to the desired location with the desired name. Exit the software and the public key will be created in the target location.
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How do I decrypt a file using a public key?
From the main VASE File Safe window, press the “EC Key” button. This will open the VASE Encryption Control window. Then, press the “Load Public Key” button on the bottom right and select the public key file. Press the “Make Public Key File” button on the left hand side of the VASE File Safe window. Finally, decrypt the target file.
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After the keycode is created, where in the computer is it stored?
The default keycode is designed to be a hidden file co-located with the VASE security software executable. The user can save the keycode in any location or use any name as needed. However, a hidden file (encr.ini) is located in the same directory as the executable. It is used as the public key whenever the software is started. The “encr.ini” file is only updated if there are changes when the software exits. The user would have to actively load any previously saved public key in order to use it if it is different from the default “encr.ini” file setting/parameters. Once a public key is loaded, the "encr.ini" file will no longer be updated upon exit.
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Can this storage space be modified buy the user?
Any keycode is a simple encrypted file which can be subject to manipulation by anyone with access to it by any type of program. Users can also set up the file view to show hidden files to make encrypted “.ini“ file visible. However, any manipulation of the file contents will corrupt the public keys and make them unusable, since they are encrypted is a method inaccessible to users of VASE software.
- How can the user tell the original file from an encrypted or decrypted file? If two file encryption is used, then the encrypted file will have a “_VTE” appended to the filename. The original file will not be changed. The decrypted file will have a _VTE_VTE appended to the original filename and the encrypted file will remain and not be changed. If the just decrypted file is again encrypted it will have a _VTE_VTE_VTE appended to the original filename, and so on. An odd number of _VTE tags can mean the file is encrypted. An even number, or none at all, can mean the file is decrypted. Two file encryption can only be done at level 0, 1 and 3. If single file encryption was done, then the best way to tell if a file is encrypted is to attempt to open the file with its native application. If the file is encrypted, such an attempt to open it would result in an error.
FAQ