Shelly Michalak
asked on
Is it possible to decrypt an RMS encrypted file that was moved before the protection was removed
My husband used rms to encrypt my business file for my business as a contractor/therapist earlier this year. I have not sufficiently backed up my files. My hard drive started crashing last Friday and in a panic he moved my file to get it out of the computer and forgot that he had encrypted it. Now we cannot open it because it is protected. The computer said it had a hard drive crash but he rebuilt it and now its working, it is an HP G4 probook and it was windows 7 but upgraded to windows 10. It is windows 7 now that he rebuilt it. He ordered RMS software but it is not being recognized when he tried to decrypt my files. He then wondered if he needed to upgrade to windows 10 before the RMS worked. he went down to geek squad to ask before he bought the windows 10, and they said not to put any more money into this computer cause it will crash. It is working fine so I am asking for help. I actually believe that through his work in the DoD he may be able to find someone who can help unencrypt this. Is this do able? I have 4 years of my business in this and Geek Squad told him that it is not salvageable since he reset the computer. Is there any way to unencrypt my business file?
ASKER
Thanks for looking at my questions. The program used to encrypt the folder I had all folders related to my business is through microsoft and is called the Rights Management Protection Tool. I read that it is being replaced with Azure Information protection.
The geek squad told my husband the computer is unsalvageable when he went in and brought the flask and the computer. He basically described how the computer got slower and slower and kept freezing up and they without looking at it, said it was the hard drive failing and that he was lucky to have gotten anything out of the computer. It did give a diagnostic message saying that the hard drive was damaged but he reset it and it is working now.
Geek squad also told him that RMS has one key to unencrypt the file that was in my computer before the hard drive crashed and is now gone forever. I have a hard time believing that this cannot be opened when there is all kinds of information breaches happening, so that is why I am asking where I can get help.
Is there any play I can take the usb or this computer where someone could unencrypt the file? I do not mind paying for it, I need everything in it in case I am ever audited as well as for active data charts and reports for clients. Thanks again for reading!!
The geek squad told my husband the computer is unsalvageable when he went in and brought the flask and the computer. He basically described how the computer got slower and slower and kept freezing up and they without looking at it, said it was the hard drive failing and that he was lucky to have gotten anything out of the computer. It did give a diagnostic message saying that the hard drive was damaged but he reset it and it is working now.
Geek squad also told him that RMS has one key to unencrypt the file that was in my computer before the hard drive crashed and is now gone forever. I have a hard time believing that this cannot be opened when there is all kinds of information breaches happening, so that is why I am asking where I can get help.
Is there any play I can take the usb or this computer where someone could unencrypt the file? I do not mind paying for it, I need everything in it in case I am ever audited as well as for active data charts and reports for clients. Thanks again for reading!!
The geek squad told my husband the computer is unsalvageable when he went in and brought the flask and the computer. He basically described how the computer got slower and slower and kept freezing up and they without looking at it, said it was the hard drive failing and that he was lucky to have gotten anything out of the computer.
Believe nothing that you are told by Peek Squad. These are high school kids with the minimum training to make you afraid so that they can write up a service ticket. (Think about it: If they were on the ball, they wouldn't be working for starvation wages at Best Buy.)
Believe nothing that you are told by Peek Squad. These are high school kids with the minimum training to make you afraid so that they can write up a service ticket. (Think about it: If they were on the ball, they wouldn't be working for starvation wages at Best Buy.)
Hi Shelly,
Thank you for the requested clarifications.
Unfortunately, I'm personally unfamiliar with the tool (Rights Management Protection Tool) that your husband used so hopefully some other experts who have experience with that software protection solution will chime in soon.
That said, don't lose hope just yet.
When you say "reset it", do you mean he formatted it and reinstalled Windows or something else?
If you haven't already done so, ask your husband to create a Full Backup Image of the entire drive, to an external drive as soon as possible using something like Macrium Reflect (free version available) or Acronis True Image software. I suggest this because If the drive does fail, then you could be up for an expensive data recovery if you do not have a backup.
Possibly, but I don't think you're at that stage just yet. Suggest you give a little time for more experts to see your question.
Hope this is of some help.
Thank you for the requested clarifications.
Unfortunately, I'm personally unfamiliar with the tool (Rights Management Protection Tool) that your husband used so hopefully some other experts who have experience with that software protection solution will chime in soon.
That said, don't lose hope just yet.
It did give a diagnostic message saying that the hard drive was damaged but he reset it and it is working now.
When you say "reset it", do you mean he formatted it and reinstalled Windows or something else?
If you haven't already done so, ask your husband to create a Full Backup Image of the entire drive, to an external drive as soon as possible using something like Macrium Reflect (free version available) or Acronis True Image software. I suggest this because If the drive does fail, then you could be up for an expensive data recovery if you do not have a backup.
Is there any play I can take the usb or this computer where someone could unencrypt the file?
Possibly, but I don't think you're at that stage just yet. Suggest you give a little time for more experts to see your question.
Hope this is of some help.
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ASKER
Thanks! I will give it a try!
No comment has been added to this question in more than 21 days, so it is now classified as abandoned.
I have recommended this question be closed as follows:
Accept: Vasil Michev (MVP) (https:#a42443331)
If you feel this question should be closed differently, post an objection and the moderators will review all objections and close it as they feel fit. If no one objects, this question will be closed automatically the way described above.
seth2740
Experts-Exchange Cleanup Volunteer
I have recommended this question be closed as follows:
Accept: Vasil Michev (MVP) (https:#a42443331)
If you feel this question should be closed differently, post an objection and the moderators will review all objections and close it as they feel fit. If no one objects, this question will be closed automatically the way described above.
seth2740
Experts-Exchange Cleanup Volunteer
Can you please elaborate on what you mean by "RMS software"? What is the software vendors home page?
At first glance, that sounds like nonsense, but I don't have all the facts. What is a link to the thread on Geek Squad where this remark was made?
Nonsense. Everything is salvageable so long as the encryption was done correctly, he knows the passwords used and created the appropriate rescue media to be used in the event of a crash at the time of encryption.
To answer this, we will need to know how the data was encrypted - which software was used (I personally have never heard of an encryption program called "RMS")
Please provide more info as per above.
Thanks...