On the preceding page, we looked at items in the left side of the "Options" dialog above.
Now consider the items on the right side.
Automatic removal: Once secured, do you want the original files automatically removed
from your computer? The program sets the answer to "No"; you can change that if you wish by clicking the circle to
the left of "Yes". Privatizing your files and then leaving them in their original form on the hard disk leaves them
open to prying eyes or to surreptitious data mining when you are on a network. However, you may wish to back up
vulnerable data files prior to deletion. (We recommend that you do; that is why the program starts with the answer
"No".) This yes/no toggle option gives you control. Tip: For the first while, accept the "No" option
which is shown automatically when you start to privatize files. When you are more accustomed to Pryvit and what
it does for you, you might want to consider automatically deleting files.
What security level do you want? You start with a choice between two levels of
privacy protection, one the routine "private" level and the other level for cases in which there is heightened
concern over possible intent by other persons and/or the specially high value of your vulnerable data input
files that are to be protected. Tip: Routine "private" level is more than sufficient for many
situations. The program sets it that way for you; leave this section of the dialog as you find it, unless
you have good reason to make a change.
If you accept the first option, making files Private is very quick. Once you have
selected the remaining options and the files to be made private, the program will pass through the files and
make a privatized version in one pass. Provided you keep the small reconstitution file out of harm's way,
nobody else can get at your original data.
If you click to the left of High security, an additional drop down box appears
in the dialog which lets you choose a count of cascades... a number of passes in which your vulnerable data
files get broken apart, disguised, rearranged, and camouflaged, then the privatized file results get the same
kind of treatment all over again ... for up to seven rounds.
How many cascades or passes do you want? This question pops up if you select
"High security" immediately above, and disappears if you select "Private" above. Cascades set up for more
processing... from two to seven rounds. The more cascades, the more secure is the
final result. For example, for each cascade there is a separate reconstitution file. If even one of the two
to seven reconstitution files is kept from hackers, there is little chance that they can get at your
original data.
One last comment on security: The user who wishes even
greater security is always free to perform multiple single pass iterations,
manually setting output from one session as input for the next, with different
passwords for each, for as many iterations / cascades as desired -- well beyond
the automated maximum of seven.
There are two buttons at the bottom of the dialog. Click on the OK button only
when you have at a minimum named the reconstitution file and selected files that you wish to make private.
It is always a good idea to view all three dialogs by clicking in turn on the three tabs -- Options,
Locations, Select Files -- and to check the entries to ensure they give you what you want. Clicking the
Cancel button takes you out of the "Privatizing files" procedure and back to the main window
for the Pryvit program.
