Using file encryption programs requires users to be careful: getting locked out
is a common mistake. Denying access privileges to a folder causes Empower to
encrypt files within it, and without Empower, they cannot be decrypted. This is
what happened to the HyperCard files. If you compare a new stack with a
problem stack under FEdit, you'll see the difference. If you check a few other
files you had protected (including some non-HyperCard files), you'll find that
they, too, still encrypted.
The fix is to restart with the Empower INIT installed, remove any volume
protection (and all privileges) to decrypt any encrypted files, then remove
Empower, and restart. After all security has been removed and files are no
longer encrypted, all is normal.
Empower provides good security using a familiar interface, but can cause
problems with careless use.