Confidentially Yours

Decrypting disk and file encryption freebies.

"Today, I had my laptop stolen and now I am up that creek without any sort of a paddle... it has files on it that could jeopadise my future employment...not the usual stuff... these are confidential files to do with an ongoing job and publication of these files puts the entire project at risk, not to mention my future job prospects. The problem for me is that the lappy was stolen by my vengeful ex-wife and the files on there are to do with a movie that is still in production... I have received an SMS which says that unless I sign my house over to her, she will publish the files and pics... sayonara to my career unless I comply... I think that I can only agree... Such is life, huh... Btw, all the files and logons were encrypted with the top of the range 1024-bit stuff but it looks like she has found some one to crack it all... and that is in less than four hours... So much for security. Hah!"

Yes ji, aisa bhi hota hai! So much for security... But still it shouldn't prevent you from securing critical data on your machine using encryption. We talked about various encryption fundas some months ago. Vinci da code piece, yaad hai? No? Too bad... Drop me an e-mail and I'll beam it across. But right here, right now, let's horse whisper about some of the best encryption freebies money can't buy.


Truecrypt
This is a free open-source disk encryption software that can bamboozle files, folders, entire hard disk partitions, or a storage device (such as USB flash drive). The encryption is automatic and in real-time. File and folder names are encrypted along with the file contents. A TrueCrypt volume can be up to 8,589,934,592 GB and cannot be identified from random data. Truecrypt uses AES-256, Blowfish (448-bit key), CAST5, Serpent, Triple DES, and Twofish encryption algorithms.

It doesn’t save the password to the disk. Neither does it have a facility to recover of encrypted data without the correct data key. The only way to recover your files is to try to "crack" the password or the key. You can even safely record and playback videos on a TrueCrypt volume. All TrueCrypt volumes are OS independent.
www.truecrypt.org
OS: Windows XP, 2003, 2000 and Linux


Axcrypt
Available under GNU General Public License, AxCrypt File Encryption Software is slick AES-128 file encryption and compression app. Install and its ready to use. No config required. It works on a file-by-file basis. Right-click integration with Windows Explorer makes it easy to use with individual files. Opening, viewing, editing and saving encrypted files is a double-click affair.

After modification, files are automatically re-encrypted. And ah, encrypted files can be e-mailed. A self-decrypting function allows for recipients not to require an AxCrypt installation at their end. AxCrypt features server mode options, an extensive command-line interface for scripting and programming, and an integrated shredder for all temporary and encrypted plaintext files. This one-meg Open Source application supports up to 4 GB files.
OS: Windows XP, 2000, NT, ME, 98
http://axcrypt.axantum.com


Cypherix Cryptainer LE
Cryptainer creates a 128-bit strong encrypted “ghost” container (vault) to store various types of data. Apart from encrypting files and folders, it locks them, hides them, and password protects them. It encrypts all file formats--textual, graphical, database, audio or video. It can also encrypt removable drives--any data on any media (USB drives, CD ROMs, flash disks etc.)

It works with a simple drag-and-drop operation. The protection is fast and on-the-fly. A secure e-mail module allows for self-extracting encrypted files. Only the password is required at the other end to decipher the file—not Cryptainer itself.
OS: Windows XP, 2003, 2000, ME, 98, 95
www.cypherix.co.uk/cryptainerle/features.htm


dsCrypt
dsCrypt is an uncomplicated, easy-to use, AES/Rijndael file encryption proggie. The relatively tiny download is self-contained and uses the advanced encryption algorithm efficiently to offer fault-free performance and good security. It is works with multiple files and allows drag-and-drop operations.

Install support is neither available, not required. An open code app, it deploys proven encryption methodologies that are supposed to be virtually unhackable--along with something called BruteHalt for brute-force password search resistance. Secure PassPad makes it immune to key-logging on networks. A neat user interface makes the encryption-decryption operation smooth and speedy.
OS: Windows XP, 2000, 98
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~nulifetv/freezip/freeware/