Introduction is a process of encoding information so that it cannot be accessed by others unless they have the key needed to decode it. Encryption is usually used to protect highly sensitive documents, but it's also a good way to stop people from looking at your personal stuff.

Products reviewed in this article—Best Free File Encryption Utility—fall in the first item of. Products in other categories are reviewed in. Read also at the end of this article. Rated Products Most if not all of the programs below leave the user exposed to the non-obvious threats described directly in #1. Does not remove the original, unencrypted file. AES Crypt can encrypt single or multiple files, but it does not encrypt folders.

Installs Microsoft C Runtime. Related and Alternative Products Related Products.

works with single or multiple files. DsCrypt is AES/Rijndael file encryption software with simple, multi-file, drag-and-drop operations. It is tiny, easy to use, and employs proven encryption techniques. However, it is an orphan product.

offers an enhanced derivative of encrypting file compression products like Zip and 7-zip. It's from Jetico, which is based in Finland for those of you looking for a source that is not part of Five Eyes (e.g., USA). Jetico offers a range of respected encryption products, and BCArchive offers many of the same options as their commercial ones do. Alternative Products. is a simple, free program that is small enough to use on a USB flash memory drive.

You'll find excellent tutorial videos and the users manual at the website, and a. is a 'portable' program that creates a hidden, encrypted partition on USB flash drives. is a file system extension that provides Windows Explorer context menu access to special encrypted files that open to encrypted folders. Applications can write directly to these folders, which helps assure that plain-text copies of the original document are not left behind on your hard drive. Provides more details. is a powerful file compression utility that provides 256-bit AES encryption for.7z and.zip formats, but the Pismo program above is a better simple encryption solution because it avoids the plain-text problem.

Related Articles. has reviews of programs used to encrypt entire drives, including partitions and removable storage media like USB drives.

reviews programs used for on-the-fly encryption of files and folders. reviews programs for client-side encryption. reviews alternative encryption programs that you can use in portable mode. offers further cautions on encryption, and on what you need to do beyond encryption to be sure your private data is not lost or exposed.

Primary Encryption Utility Categories Why use categories here? To bring a little order to the large catalog of encryption utility reviews at this site. This particular review article is limited to 'file (and folder) encryption' utilities in the first item below. Other utilites are reviewed in.

Encryption utilities that encrypt files/folders directly - the utilities reviewed in this article. These utilities encrypt discrete files and/or folders directly, in contrast to utilities that encrypt and store files in volumes (archives, i.e., container files). File-based utilities may operate in batch mode or in on-the-fly mode.

Virtual-drive encryption utilities create volumes (encrypted containers/archives) which can be mounted in the file-system as virtual drives, complete with drive letters, e.g. These drives can contain both files and folders.

The computer's file system can read, write and create documents in real time, directly in cleartext. Virtual-drive utilities operate in on-the-fly mode. Full-drive encryption utilities encrypt entire storage devices, e.g., hard-drives, drive partitions and USB drives. Some of the utilities in this category can also encrypt the drive that the operating system itself is installed on. Client-side encryption utilities for the cloud: A newly emerged category. These utilities encrypt files before they are uploaded to cloud sync/storage locations.

The files are encrypted in transit and while at rest in the cloud. Cloud encryption utilities employ various forms of virtualization to present cleartext client-side, and they operate in on-the-fly mode. Cautionary Notes. Operating systems are messy: Echos of your personal data—swap files, temp files, hibernation files, erased files, browser artifacts, etc.—are likely to remain on any computer that you use to access the data. It is a trivial task to extract those echos.

If you need to protect against access on your hard-drive as well as in transit or externally, this is a hidden access trap. For example, when you encrypt and compress files, clear-text versions that existed before you compress/encrypt the file or clear-text copies that are created after you decrypt/decompress it remain on your hard drive. There may also be 'Temp' files left behind. Unless you purge—not just delete—those clear-text files.:-(.

The fact that an encryption program 'works' does not mean that it is secure. New encryption utilities often appear after someone reads up on applied cryptography, selects or devises an algorithm—maybe even a reliable open source one—implements a user interface, tests the program to make sure it works, and thinks he's done. Such a program is almost certain to harbor fatal flaws.

'Functionality does not equal quality, and no amount of beta testing will ever reveal a security flaw. Too many products are merely buzzword compliant; they use secure cryptography, but they are not secure.' —Bruce Schneier, in. Further advice about how to use encryption are discussed in, including what you need to do beyond encryption to be sure your private data is not lost or exposed. Editor This software category is maintained by volunteer editor philip. Registered members can contact the editor with any comments or suggestions they might have by. Please rate this article.

Thank you, Philip. The question of file encryption originally came up for me when a client asked the best way to encrypt some files / folders on his Win 7 Pro (x64) laptop (Core i7 3820 QM, with 16 GB DDR3 and two Samsung 850 Pro SSDs; one for the OS, the other for data). I had come to this page via a web search for 'file encryption utilities,' which also returned the nearly two year old article 'Five Best File Encryption Tools,' from LifeHacker (which in turn mentioned VeraCrypt (though your page, 'Best Free Encrypted Virtual Drive Utility,' was not included). Though I haven't the time to fully explore this at present, it appears that VC could be a solution - either by encrypting just the data drive, only a partition on it to hold sensitive data or both drives (which would obviously provide the greatest protection, but perhaps be less convenient). On the other hand, something as simple as the Pismo File Mount Audit Package, or even 7-Zip or PeaZip, might do (except neither of the latter two encrypt file names - and then there are still those various traces). or to post comments. How does Easy File Locker (xoslab.com) compare?

I run a dual boot system with Ubuntu and Windows 7 and I was very surprised (to put it mildly) to find out my hidden/encrypted Easy File Locker Windows files (folder) were openly visable and accessible from Ubuntu. Then again I was even more shocked to find out these exact same files were also visable and accessible from our Son's network connected Xbox? I have since moved all these private files to a password protected USB drive.

Do all of these programs suffer from similiar flaws? UPDATE Just found this on the xoslab website, maybe I should have checked their FAQ first, 'I forgot my password, can i get the protected files back? Yes, please start your computer into Windows Safe Mode, then all the protected files will be visible and accessible.' .seems pretty pointless to me?. or to post comments. It's true that freeware folder lockers are on the whole not very secure but you could do a bit better than Easy File Locker. Wise Folder Hider and Alfa Folder Locker both work even in Safe Mode although they can still be accessed with Linux and probably X-box too though I wouldn't know about that.

The problem is as Philip says, that they work by using the Windows O/S therefore are vulnerable to access from non-Windows O/S's. WFH possibly has an edge because its locked folders are set as 'Protected System Directories' and thus remain hidden if Explorer is set to 'Show Hidden Files and Folders'. Also the folder is renamed to '.' Giving you a bit more plausible deniability. Alfa on the other hand is a bit more transparent I think (i.e.

Easier to understand what it does) although you do have to hide the folders manually. None of these are a match for individual encryption though. I guess it's a trade off as locking and hiding a folder with one of these is pretty much instant regardless of how big the folder is, while encrypting a directory can take a long time if there's a lot of stuff in it. My own favourite for encyption is Androsa File Protector. It's a bit old and unsupported for ages now but it's an excellent tool. It has a selection of encryption levels plus options for secure-deletion of temporary files created during encryption, secure-deletion of source files and scrambling of filenames on encryption.

It can also create self-extracting encrypted files which means you don't need the program itself to decrypt the files, just the password. All three are available as portable versions meaning that you can try them out without needing to install anything.

Wise Folder Hider - Alfa Folder Locker - Androsa Portable -. or to post comments. I wanted a really simple file encryption program that I could just give it a file or folder, password and that's it. I tried Truecrypt, knowing it was the king of all encryption software. However, it is not for the lame user like myself, it's very complicated application. So not for everybody. Then I came across a small utility WinGuard Pro version 2013.

Best Encryption Software For Pc

I gave it a try, I was impressed. I gave it a folder to encrypt, with password and clicked Encrypt. It told me it was encrypting my files at 128 bit AES - sounds good too me! After a minute it has processed all my files and directories. I would recommend it for anyone that just needs to get the job done. It was free too, I can keep it on my PC for forever and no charge.

Very impressed. John, London, UK. or to post comments. If this relates to the same program, Rubberhose was written around 2006 by Julian Assange of WikiLeaks infamy.

There was little or no follow-through, and the website is now flakey. It's a good concept, but at the time Bruce Schneier, of encryption fame, had (interpolation mine). 'The devil really is in the details with something like this it's awfully easy to screw up the implementation, and I would hesitate to use this in places where it really matters. Without some extensive review. But I'm pleased to see that someone is working on this problem.' Google 'rubberhose deniable encryption' for more.

or to post comments.

Introduction is a process of encoding information so that it cannot be accessed by others unless they have the key needed to decode it. Encryption is usually used to protect highly sensitive documents, but it's also a good way to stop people from looking at your personal stuff. Products reviewed in this article—Best Free File Encryption Utility—fall in the first item of.

Products in other categories are reviewed in. Read also at the end of this article. Rated Products Most if not all of the programs below leave the user exposed to the non-obvious threats described directly in #1. Does not remove the original, unencrypted file. AES Crypt can encrypt single or multiple files, but it does not encrypt folders.

Installs Microsoft C Runtime. Related and Alternative Products Related Products. works with single or multiple files. DsCrypt is AES/Rijndael file encryption software with simple, multi-file, drag-and-drop operations. It is tiny, easy to use, and employs proven encryption techniques.

However, it is an orphan product. offers an enhanced derivative of encrypting file compression products like Zip and 7-zip. It's from Jetico, which is based in Finland for those of you looking for a source that is not part of Five Eyes (e.g., USA). Jetico offers a range of respected encryption products, and BCArchive offers many of the same options as their commercial ones do. Alternative Products. is a simple, free program that is small enough to use on a USB flash memory drive. You'll find excellent tutorial videos and the users manual at the website, and a.

is a 'portable' program that creates a hidden, encrypted partition on USB flash drives. is a file system extension that provides Windows Explorer context menu access to special encrypted files that open to encrypted folders. Applications can write directly to these folders, which helps assure that plain-text copies of the original document are not left behind on your hard drive. Provides more details. is a powerful file compression utility that provides 256-bit AES encryption for.7z and.zip formats, but the Pismo program above is a better simple encryption solution because it avoids the plain-text problem. Related Articles. has reviews of programs used to encrypt entire drives, including partitions and removable storage media like USB drives.

reviews programs used for on-the-fly encryption of files and folders. reviews programs for client-side encryption. reviews alternative encryption programs that you can use in portable mode.

offers further cautions on encryption, and on what you need to do beyond encryption to be sure your private data is not lost or exposed. Primary Encryption Utility Categories Why use categories here? To bring a little order to the large catalog of encryption utility reviews at this site.

This particular review article is limited to 'file (and folder) encryption' utilities in the first item below. Other utilites are reviewed in. Encryption utilities that encrypt files/folders directly - the utilities reviewed in this article. These utilities encrypt discrete files and/or folders directly, in contrast to utilities that encrypt and store files in volumes (archives, i.e., container files). File-based utilities may operate in batch mode or in on-the-fly mode. Virtual-drive encryption utilities create volumes (encrypted containers/archives) which can be mounted in the file-system as virtual drives, complete with drive letters, e.g. These drives can contain both files and folders.

The computer's file system can read, write and create documents in real time, directly in cleartext. Virtual-drive utilities operate in on-the-fly mode.

Full-drive encryption utilities encrypt entire storage devices, e.g., hard-drives, drive partitions and USB drives. Some of the utilities in this category can also encrypt the drive that the operating system itself is installed on. Client-side encryption utilities for the cloud: A newly emerged category. These utilities encrypt files before they are uploaded to cloud sync/storage locations. The files are encrypted in transit and while at rest in the cloud. Cloud encryption utilities employ various forms of virtualization to present cleartext client-side, and they operate in on-the-fly mode. Cautionary Notes.

Operating systems are messy: Echos of your personal data—swap files, temp files, hibernation files, erased files, browser artifacts, etc.—are likely to remain on any computer that you use to access the data. It is a trivial task to extract those echos. If you need to protect against access on your hard-drive as well as in transit or externally, this is a hidden access trap.

For example, when you encrypt and compress files, clear-text versions that existed before you compress/encrypt the file or clear-text copies that are created after you decrypt/decompress it remain on your hard drive. There may also be 'Temp' files left behind. Unless you purge—not just delete—those clear-text files.:-(. The fact that an encryption program 'works' does not mean that it is secure. New encryption utilities often appear after someone reads up on applied cryptography, selects or devises an algorithm—maybe even a reliable open source one—implements a user interface, tests the program to make sure it works, and thinks he's done. Such a program is almost certain to harbor fatal flaws. 'Functionality does not equal quality, and no amount of beta testing will ever reveal a security flaw.

Too many products are merely buzzword compliant; they use secure cryptography, but they are not secure.' —Bruce Schneier, in. Further advice about how to use encryption are discussed in, including what you need to do beyond encryption to be sure your private data is not lost or exposed.

Editor This software category is maintained by volunteer editor philip. Registered members can contact the editor with any comments or suggestions they might have by. Please rate this article.

Thank you, Philip. The question of file encryption originally came up for me when a client asked the best way to encrypt some files / folders on his Win 7 Pro (x64) laptop (Core i7 3820 QM, with 16 GB DDR3 and two Samsung 850 Pro SSDs; one for the OS, the other for data). I had come to this page via a web search for 'file encryption utilities,' which also returned the nearly two year old article 'Five Best File Encryption Tools,' from LifeHacker (which in turn mentioned VeraCrypt (though your page, 'Best Free Encrypted Virtual Drive Utility,' was not included). Though I haven't the time to fully explore this at present, it appears that VC could be a solution - either by encrypting just the data drive, only a partition on it to hold sensitive data or both drives (which would obviously provide the greatest protection, but perhaps be less convenient). On the other hand, something as simple as the Pismo File Mount Audit Package, or even 7-Zip or PeaZip, might do (except neither of the latter two encrypt file names - and then there are still those various traces). or to post comments. How does Easy File Locker (xoslab.com) compare?

I run a dual boot system with Ubuntu and Windows 7 and I was very surprised (to put it mildly) to find out my hidden/encrypted Easy File Locker Windows files (folder) were openly visable and accessible from Ubuntu. Then again I was even more shocked to find out these exact same files were also visable and accessible from our Son's network connected Xbox? I have since moved all these private files to a password protected USB drive. Do all of these programs suffer from similiar flaws?

UPDATE Just found this on the xoslab website, maybe I should have checked their FAQ first, 'I forgot my password, can i get the protected files back? Yes, please start your computer into Windows Safe Mode, then all the protected files will be visible and accessible.'

.seems pretty pointless to me?. or to post comments.

It's true that freeware folder lockers are on the whole not very secure but you could do a bit better than Easy File Locker. Wise Folder Hider and Alfa Folder Locker both work even in Safe Mode although they can still be accessed with Linux and probably X-box too though I wouldn't know about that. The problem is as Philip says, that they work by using the Windows O/S therefore are vulnerable to access from non-Windows O/S's. WFH possibly has an edge because its locked folders are set as 'Protected System Directories' and thus remain hidden if Explorer is set to 'Show Hidden Files and Folders'. Also the folder is renamed to '.' Giving you a bit more plausible deniability. Alfa on the other hand is a bit more transparent I think (i.e.

Easier to understand what it does) although you do have to hide the folders manually. None of these are a match for individual encryption though. I guess it's a trade off as locking and hiding a folder with one of these is pretty much instant regardless of how big the folder is, while encrypting a directory can take a long time if there's a lot of stuff in it. My own favourite for encyption is Androsa File Protector.

Best Free File Encryption Software For Mac

It's a bit old and unsupported for ages now but it's an excellent tool. It has a selection of encryption levels plus options for secure-deletion of temporary files created during encryption, secure-deletion of source files and scrambling of filenames on encryption. It can also create self-extracting encrypted files which means you don't need the program itself to decrypt the files, just the password. All three are available as portable versions meaning that you can try them out without needing to install anything. Wise Folder Hider - Alfa Folder Locker - Androsa Portable -. or to post comments.

I wanted a really simple file encryption program that I could just give it a file or folder, password and that's it. I tried Truecrypt, knowing it was the king of all encryption software. However, it is not for the lame user like myself, it's very complicated application. So not for everybody. Then I came across a small utility WinGuard Pro version 2013. I gave it a try, I was impressed.

I gave it a folder to encrypt, with password and clicked Encrypt. It told me it was encrypting my files at 128 bit AES - sounds good too me! After a minute it has processed all my files and directories.

I would recommend it for anyone that just needs to get the job done. It was free too, I can keep it on my PC for forever and no charge. Very impressed.

John, London, UK. or to post comments. If this relates to the same program, Rubberhose was written around 2006 by Julian Assange of WikiLeaks infamy.

There was little or no follow-through, and the website is now flakey. It's a good concept, but at the time Bruce Schneier, of encryption fame, had (interpolation mine). 'The devil really is in the details with something like this it's awfully easy to screw up the implementation, and I would hesitate to use this in places where it really matters. Without some extensive review. But I'm pleased to see that someone is working on this problem.' Google 'rubberhose deniable encryption' for more.

or to post comments.