a file invisible in dos?

[indigowindow]

is it possible to create a file that is not visible in dos? if so, how is it done? and vice versa, can a file be created only to be visible in dos and not in windows? what methods can be used to detect these invisible files?

[BertImmenschuh]

To hide a file in DOS, at the DOS prompt in the folder where the file is, type:
attrib +h sample.fil. That will hide it, use -h to unhide it.

In Windows, right click the file name, Properties, and put a checkmark in the Hidden box. Problem here is the Tools, File Options settings, people could still change the view setting to see the hidden file/s.

[indigowindow]

that's common knowledge. isn't there anything more in the realm of uncommon knowledge?

[BertImmenschuh]

Fortunately, it doesn't take very long for information to become common knowledge.

[jdharm]

Are you asking is there a way to secure a program so that someone with "common knowledge" who knew what to look for wouldn't be able to get to it? If so, then no you can't do it in DOS. That is what the NTFS file system is for.

Josh

"Some mornings it just doesn't seem worth it to gnaw through the leather straps."

[indigowindow]

i was curious if there was a way to do these things in windows 9x that the ordinary man (or woman) is unaware of.

[BertImmenschuh]

One thing I intended to mention but forgot, if the file is hidden from someone finding it, DOS and Windows usually won't be able to find it either. Windows does hide files but keeps track of where to look for them.

[indigowindow]

if windows hides files, then someone else can hide a file too, so that it would not be detected by the usual means. where can i find out more about this?

[BertImmenschuh]

As far as I can tell, in addition to hiding files, they need to be passworded to prevent opening/viewing. As long as the hard drive can be accessed, there will always be a way to see what files are on it.

[indigowindow]

i'm just interested in the hiding of files. and uncovering hidden files. i don't refer to ntfs not being seen by fat. maybe i'm just fantasizing, but this forum would be the place to verify. one example would be the desktop.ini files, which don't show up in explorer windows (although they do show up using Power Desk) but you can see them using Find Files.

[BertImmenschuh]

Yep, Windows will find hidden files, helps to know the name of the file. DOS will find the hidden files if the file name is known and the command attrib -h filen.ame is typed first, so it will unhide the file and make it available for viewing.

Bottom line, files can't be hidden well enough unless the only copy is on a floppy or Zip disk and stored somewhere else. As long as it is on the hard drive, someone somewhere will have a way to get it.

[indigowindow]

i'm the one that's going to be the file finder, so it helps to know the different ways that they can be hidden.

[BertImmenschuh]

I guess I missed that, I thought you wanted to hide a file so someone else couldn't find it. I'd go shopping for something like what the FBI, CIA, etc. uses to read a hard drive. Might be a bit pricey.