Best Free File Encryption Utility

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

 Cautionary Notes:

1. 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.
   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. Unless you purge -- not just delete -- those clear-text files. :-(
2. "Just because an encryption program works doesn't mean it is secure. What happens with most products is that someone reads Applied Cryptography, chooses an algorithm and protocol, tests it to make sure it works, and thinks he's done. He's not.
   "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 Security Pitfalls in Cryptography
3. See Encryption is Not Enough for further cautions on encryption, and on what you need to do beyond encryption to be sure your private data is not lost or exposed.

TrueCrypt is seasoned, open-source software. It's a powerful, flexible and highly-effective encryption program. TrueCrypt can encrypt files, folders or entire drives. It uses "volumes" to contain the encrypted data. Each volume contains its own file system. You mount the volume as a system drive that has its own drive letter. Then you read, change or add to the encrypted content of the volume.

I have used TrueCrypt for years, and I have the utmost confidence in it's ability to protect sensitive information. It's one of those freeware programs that is far superior to commercial software.

DiskCryptor is a derivative of TrueCrypt that is designed for full drive encryption. It is good for removable devices like USB flash drives. SafeHouse is a commercial program that is very similar to TrueCrypt. I used it for several years before switching to TrueCrypt.

SafeHouse Explorer is a smaller, simpler, free program that PC Dynamics released in 2009. It's can be used as a portable program, and is small enough to use on a USB flash memory drive.

SafeHouse Explorer is easy to use, but it has a flaw that could leave your data exposed. The SafeHouse Explore interface is a pseudo Windows Explorer window, with a few encryption functions included. There are many useful videos available from the Quick Start Wizard (available from the "Help" menu).

The problem is, you cannot create files directly in the interface. That forces you to create unencrypted files outside the volume, and then copy them to the volume. Of course those unencrypted files still reside on your hard drive. There is a "Secure Delete" function to securely delete external files, but you need to remember to always do that.

Fortunately, there's a way around that security hole. If you open a real Windows Explorer window after opening a volume in SafeHouse Explore, you'll find a SAFEHOUSE drive listed there. This drive letter does not appear if you are using the portable version

You can work within that encrypted window -- create files, delete files, edit files, etc. -- just like you would in any other drive. There will be only one copy of your files, and they will never be stored in unencrypted form. If you're careful how you use SafeHouse Explorer, it's a safe, simple program.

AxCrypt provides secure AES-128 encryption of single files using passwords or key-files, which AxCrypt can also generate. Usage is wonderfully simple. To encrypt a file or folder, just right-click it and select "encrypt". Double-clicking an encrypted file lets you edit or view it with the program of your choice. Closing an open file automatically re-encrypts the file. Self-decrypting files are also supported, removing the need to install AxCrypt to decrypt.
Note: The AxCrypt install program now uses the Open Candy system to bundle/install third party software with AxCrypt. You do have the option to opt out of the unsolicited software, but watch out.

dsCrypt works with multiple files. Here's what the website says: "dsCrypt is AES/Rijndael file encryption software with simple, multi-file, drag-and-drop operations. It features optimal implementation, performance and  safety measures. dsCrypt uses an advanced encryption algorithm and offers unique options for enhanced security." The dsCrypt program is tiny, easy to use, and employs proven encryption techniques.

Related articles:

See Encryption is Not Enough for further cautions on encryption, and on what you need to do beyond encryption to be sure your private data is not lost or exposed.

Best Free Drive Encryption Utility describes programs used to encrypt entire drives, including partitions and removable storage media like USB drives.

Best Free Encryption Utility for Personal Use at Work describes additional encryption programs that you can use in portable mode. They include:

• SafeHouse Explorer 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 screenshot-rich tutorial here.
• Rohos Mini Drive is a "protable" program that creates a hidden, encrypted partition on USB flash drives.
• FreeOTFE is an "on-the-fly" disk encryption program that can be adapted for portable use.
• FreeOTFE Explorer is a simpler companion to FreeOTFE. It does not require administrative rights.
• 7-Zip Portable is a powerful file compression utility that provides 256-bit AES encryption for *.7z and *.zip formats.