SillyDog701

[howmuchfun2002]

every time I click the mail icon on Netscape 7.02 (the same wonderfully easy email program I have been using for 10 years now) the program just opens up.

my laptop recently got stolen and in it, ALLLLLLLLL my emails. I hope that the laptop was just reformatted and sold on ebay. I bet it was. BUT in the case that it wasn't I wonder, does Netscape not have an option so that when mail is launched it asks for a password before it gives access to everything.

I can't believe I never asked this before.

isn't there anyway to protect Netscape 7.02 mail?

Thanks for anyhelp in advnace.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.0.2) Gecko/20030208 Netscape/7.02

[Don_HH2K]

To the best of my knowledge, there's no way to encrypt your mail outright in Netscape. You can hope, though, that whoever stole your laptop doesn't know how to look through your Netscape mail without first logging into Windows (assuming you had it password-protected).

If you're running Windows 2000, XP Professional, or Vista Business/Ultimate, you can use the built-in Encrypting File System to encrypt your Netscape profile data. To do this, first close Netscape, then go to Start -> Run, and copy/paste the following into the dialog box:

Code: Select all

cipher /E /S:"%appdata%\Mozilla"

This is the most transparent way to protect your Netscape mail. Netscape will still start up just the same when you click on the icon, but a thief will not be able to do the same without first logging into Windows. Providing a strong Windows password is up to you.

It's a very good idea to make a copy of your EFS encryption key, and store it where a potential thief does not have access to it; otherwise you could lose access to your encrypted files if you ever have to reinstall Windows. If you have Vista Ultimate, you can use the built-in Secure Online Key Backup to store copies. Otherwise, use the following in Start->Run:

Code: Select all

cipher /R:%userprofile%\Desktop\myefskey

You'll be asked to provide a password to protect your copies. This will generate two files named [tt]myefskey.pfx[/tt] and [tt]myefskey.cer[/tt] on your Desktop. I would recommend moving them to a flash drive, CD, or somewhere else that they will be safe, and then deleting them from the Desktop.

If you have any questions about this process, please tell me before attempting it.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.1 x64; en-US; rv:1.9.2a1pre) Gecko/20090510 Minefield/3.6a1pre (.NET CLR 3.5.30729)

[Fulvio]

Aside for the fact that NS7.0.2 is a very ancient program, access to anything can be controlled with a Master Password.
I have not had any Netscape for a few years, as they have not been maintained, but I have the closely related Seamonkey. The path to set up complete protection is:Edit|Preferences|Privacy and Security|Master Passwords
It is up to the user to set up a Master Password, as one could be locked out of his/her program, if the Password is forgotten.
A simpler approach would be to set up the account settings not to automatically download your messages. The password should not be saved. And the messages could be deleted after downloading and reading them. And, be left on server for future retrieval, if needed.
So, security is available, but it is up to the user to set it up.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.9.0.10) Gecko/2009042316 Firefox/3.0.10 (.NET CLR 3.5.30729)

[howmuchfun2002]

The master password is what I think it is?

If I set it, I can't open the mail portion of 7.02 without the password? I can't read the emails without entering the password? It is an application password?

I have a funny feeling I can't do this, but if anyone can tell me, just let me know.

thanks again!

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.9.0.10) Gecko/2009042316 Firefox/3.0.10

[Fulvio]

I never use the Master Password, which is indicated for computers being used by more than one person. If you set up a MP, you cannot open your program, at all. I have no reason to use a MP, simply because I may forget it. Is it enough to use a MP. I don't know.
You got some useful suggestions from Don.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.9.0.10) Gecko/2009042316 Firefox/3.0.10 (.NET CLR 3.5.30729)

[howmuchfun2002]

as expected, the master password is only for SSL certificates, webasswords and other smart card devices.

Honestly I find it amazing that Netscape has such a complicated set of SSL, tokens, etc., for the setting of passwords, sending of emails, etc., and seemingly nothing preventing someone from just running my email program (Netscape 7.02) and looking at everything that I have.

Why oh why you might ask am I using such a program? It is fast, simple, has no mailbox limit, super fast searching and all the files are in one directory making loading a snap when the computer needs a reset / reload.

What are the chances that someone can help me reach the VP of Engineering that was responsible for this version of Netscape? I have looked for the official Netscape pages or websites that might get me closer to this person, and this site seems to be the right one.

Any help is appreciated.

oh and P.S. the advice given about using DOS encryption with cypers is great except that I'm using this program as a user and not a computer programmer so that each time I open, close, or otherwise use Netscape 7.02 I have to cyper each of the more than 50 files Netscape uses for this program. That would be farrrr, too out of control.

Thanks again

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.9.0.10) Gecko/2009042316 Firefox/3.0.10

[Don_HH2K]

oh and P.S. the advice given about using DOS encryption with cypers is great except that I'm using this program as a user and not a computer programmer so that each time I open, close, or otherwise use Netscape 7.02 I have to cyper each of the more than 50 files Netscape uses for this program. That would be farrrr, too out of control.

Actually, you only need to run [tt]cipher[/tt] once, and Windows does the encryption/decryption transparently and on the fly. It doesn't do any encryption itself, it just marks files and directories to say that they should be treated as encrypted data when they are read and written to.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.1 x64; en-US; rv:1.9.2a1pre) Gecko/20090510 Minefield/3.6a1pre (.NET CLR 3.5.30729)

[Ramona]

You can set Netscape to require entering the password each time you open Netscape Mail.

To do so:

Click on: Edit | Preferences | Privacy & Security
Select: Passwords
Select: Manage Stored Passwords
Select your Mail Account password from the list, and delete it
Close Netscape, then reopen Netscape.

In the future Netscape will always prompt for your password.

Ensure that you don't check the box for "Use Password Manager to remember this password"

NOTE: I hope the above settings are correct, as I don't have Netscape 7.02 installed. They will be fairly close, altho you may have to do a little exploring...

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.9.0.10) Gecko/2009042316 Firefox/3.0.10

[howmuchfun2002]

thanks ramona but this will only protect the passwords for sites that require one
it is not a program open close specific password

for whatever reason, I can't seem to find the section to set a password for the Netscape mail application itself. How they overlooked something as simple as this I seriously have no idea. Very strange to just make it so damn open if someone gets hold of your laptop.

anyone else? I am happy to keep trying things until it all works!

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.9.0.10) Gecko/2009042316 Firefox/3.0.10

[Fulvio]

As far as I know, you can protect new mail, but not already downloaded mail. If this is the issue, all downloaded mail should be stored on a CD-RW, or flash drive.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.9.0.10) Gecko/2009042316 Firefox/3.0.10 (.NET CLR 3.5.30729)

[Ramona]

for whatever reason, I can't seem to find the section to set a password for the Netscape mail application itself. How they overlooked something as simple as this I seriously have no idea.

There is no separate password setting for the Mail component. Netscape is a suite, and in order to password protect the program itself, would require setting a Master Password, as suggested by Fulvio.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.9.0.10) Gecko/2009042316 Firefox/3.0.10