How to password protect files and folders in Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat

I have been using this little applet called cryptkeeper for a while now, it is a beautifully simple power user application that will help you keep your private information safe and secure. In this simple how to I will assist you in installing and using cryptkeeper.

Basically Cryptkeeper is a Linux system tray applet that manages EncFS encrypted folders. Installing it is as easy as running a single command. Installation:
Open terminal and execute command: sudo apt-get install cryptkeeper
That will install all the necessary files.
(Alternatively you can install it from synaptic package manager)
Now log out and log back in. Once you are logged back in, you can start Cryptkeeper from the menu Applications->System Tools->Cryptkeeper.

You should see an icon in your System Tray that looks like a pair of keys. This can vary a bit based on your current icon theme. This is the Cryptkeeper icon.
And now How to use it.

• Click on the Cryptkeeper icon and select New encrypted folder.
• Enter a name for your new folder and select a location for it. I’m calling     mine safe and putting it in my home folder. Click forward
• In the next screen, enter the password and click Forward.
• Click OK in the last screen.

Depending on your Gnome settings, a Nautilus File Manager window may have popped up for your new encrypted folder. Cryptkeeper actually creates a small encrypted folder that it mounts as an encrypted drive.
Create a basic text file in your new encrypted folder to try it out. To hide your encrypted folder, click the Cryptkeeper icon and uncheck your folder listed.
To reopen your encrypted folder, just click on the Cryptkeeper icon and check the box next to it. Enter your encryption password at the prompt, and you’re in.
I personally like cryptkeeper to Autostart, if you want to do this go to Systems–>Preferences–>Startup Applications and click Add give both name and command as cryptkeeper  to start it up automatically.