# Defining Data File Filters

Protected binaries can read data from and write data to encrypted data files. During program execution, the Data File Protection module handles encryption and decryption of the data files transparently for the protected programs.

You define data file filters in Sentinel LDK Envelope to specify which data files and data file types should be handled transparently by the Data File Protection module. The filters can also be used to identify data files to be included when using the utility to manually encrypt data files.

After you have defined file filters in Sentinel LDK Envelope, you can launch the Sentinel LDK Data Protection utility to encrypt existing data files that you want to include with the protected binary.

The encryption key used to encrypt/decrypt data files is specified in the Default Protection Settings screen (Windows). This key is used by the protected program to access encrypted data files.

NOTE Certain Envelope protection engines do not support data file protection. For details, see Supported Engines for Data File Protection .

To define data file filters:

1.In the Protection Details screen, select the Enable data file protection check box on the Data Files Settings tab. Additional fields are displayed.

2.(Optional) Specify a program-specific encryption key to be used instead of the default encryption key. This can be done using the Encryption key for data files box on the Protect Settings tab.

3.Enter or select a file extension or a specific file name in the field provided above the Add arrow buttons.

4.Click the Add arrow buttons to move your entry to either the Include column or Exclude column. Alternatively, you can select specific entries in the columns and click Remove selected to delete them. You can also click Clear history to delete all file types from the columns.

5.Repeat steps 3–4 for all file extensions and file names that you want to include or exclude in your data file encryption scheme.

NOTE The Include and Exclude columns can each contain a maximum of 64 entries.

6.From the File menu, select Save Project. Your data file scheme is ready for encryption.

To encrypt data files that run in conjunction with protected Mac applications, launch the Data Protection utility. To launch the Data Protection utility directly from the Data File Settings screen, click Protect Data.

### Related Topics

Defining Mac Binary Program Protection Details