protection of OST file?

[Joshua Chang]

I am using Outlook 2003 with Cached Exchange Mode. I have two profiles with
it: 1) with POP setting with PST file, 2) with MS Exchange Server with OST
file. My PST file is password protected to be accessed. However, I cannot
find a way to set a protection on my OST file. Without login, I still can
access to OST file. Please advice.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

In

I am using Outlook 2003 with Cached Exchange Mode. I have two
profiles with it: 1) with POP setting with PST file, 2) with MS
Exchange Server with OST file. My PST file is password protected to
be accessed. However, I cannot find a way to set a protection on my
OST file. Without login, I still can access to OST file. Please
advice.

What is your workstation operating system, and what is your disk format?
Your OST file is linked to your mailbox, and anyone who can open the mail
profile can see it. But if you use an NT-based operating system and NTFS,
and use passwords, other users can't log in as you, and hence can't open
that mail profile. If you aren't using an NT-based operating system but are
using Win9x, there's no security to speak of.

 

[Joshua Chang]

Lanwench,
Thank you for your information. OS - WinXP Pro, HD format - NTSF. I do
understand the login protection. However, I am looking for some protection
like that we can have on PST file. We can set password to open a PST file,
just wondering if there is any way to do such thing for OST file. Please
advice!

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

In

Lanwench,
Thank you for your information. OS - WinXP Pro, HD format - NTSF.
I do understand the login protection. However, I am looking for some
protection like that we can have on PST file. We can set password to
open a PST file, just wondering if there is any way to do such thing
for OST file. Please advice!

No - access to your mailbox (which is the issue) is controlled by your user
login. Your OST file is useless without your mail profile.

If you're sharing your PC with others, make sure you have good passwords (8
char minimum, mixed case, alpha & non-alpha characters) and that your
built-in administrator account is locked down as well. Don't grant other
users admin rights. If you can't trust the people you share your computer
with, don't share it.

The only other option can be quite dangerous if you are not careful - EFS
(encryption). You can find out more about that in your help menu or google.
Be warned - EFS works, so if you lose your key/cert, you're hosed.

 

[Joshua Chang]

Lawench,
Thanks for quick response. In other words, if I logon to my windows with
my profile, whoever opens Outlook will find my contents in OST. Am I
understanding right? Actually, I found out there is a post asking the
exactly same question as I am subjected "OST Security" posted by "Bill".
However, in that slot, there is no reply yet.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

In

Lawench,
Thanks for quick response. In other words, if I logon to my
windows with my profile, whoever opens Outlook will find my contents
in OST. Am I understanding right?

If *you* log in using your credentials, *you* will be able to see your
Exchange data. If someone else logs in as you, yes, of course they'll see
the same thing. If they log in as another user account (limited user) and
you use NTFS, they shouldn't be able to get to your stuff at all.