I use encrypted Excel 2007 documents to store some sensitive financial information on my Windows 7 laptop. To give me access to these off site I'm thinking of attaching a copy to an email message. How secure is the encryption? <\/p>\n
Secondly: on opening the laptop I occasionally get a red tinge on the screen, which disappears when I move the screen slightly. Am I right in assuming that this is probably something to do with the flat cable that connects the screen to the body of the laptop? <\/p>\n
Second question first, and yes, it sounds a lot like a connector problem. It will probably only get worse so it is worth getting it seen to ASAP, in case you lose the display altogether. If it is just a loose connector it should be a fairly quick and easy fix for an engineer; I would not attempt a DIY repair, though, as dismantling laptops, without the right tools and skills, can be a tricky and risky business. <\/p>\n
Up to Excel 2000 encryption was weak and could be broken in a matter of seconds using widely available utilities on the web. It was strengthened significantly in Excel 2002\/3, and changing from the default encryption method made it even stronger. Further improvements followed in Excel 2007 and the default settings, in conjunction with a long (9 or more alphanumeric characters and symbols), should be sufficient to keep your files safe from all but the most determined hackers, with access to powerful computers and a lot of time on their hands. Even so, you might want to rethink how you are going to access these files, especially if it is going to involve connecting to the Internet through potentially insecure public wireless networks and hotspots. <\/p>\n
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