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Files on USB are Encrypted, but I don't use Safeguard or have a passphrase

Stephen Szabo

Hello,

I have a USB with some PDF and TXT files I am trying to open/access data on. However, when I open the files there is just the following text (there is more text, but I don't want to paste information that could give away the data in the files:

SafeGuard FileEncryption
Copyright 1998-2013 Sophos Group. All rights reserved. SafeGuard is a registered trademark of Sophos........................

p,‹†aËô_Í1YGvIë—òW?ôse–Ÿ............................

I noticed I have SGPortable on my USB and when I try to decrypt the files I am prompted for a passphrase with the following message: Enter passphrase for key 'Group_.Authenticated Users@SGN'.

Is there any way around this? The only thing I can think of is that I believe my work pc used to use Sophos password protection upon start up a few years ago. Is it possible that Safeguard installed itself on my USB and auto encrypted my files?

Any help or insight is appreciated.



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  • 0

    Yes, that’s exactly the issue. The company might have had a policy that encrypts external USB to help protect their data. You’d have hoped this was common knowledge at the company to prevent “accidental” encryption of personal USB drives but it would appear sadly not. 

    you are best to contact the company to see if they’re still running and using SSG and ask them to assist. There’s no backdoor or method to get around this. It’s doing exactly as designed and protecting data but your drive has been caught in the process! 

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  • 0

    Yes, that’s exactly the issue. The company might have had a policy that encrypts external USB to help protect their data. You’d have hoped this was common knowledge at the company to prevent “accidental” encryption of personal USB drives but it would appear sadly not. 

    you are best to contact the company to see if they’re still running and using SSG and ask them to assist. There’s no backdoor or method to get around this. It’s doing exactly as designed and protecting data but your drive has been caught in the process! 

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