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Best Free File Encryption Utility
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Introduction
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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:
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Discussion
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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. 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. 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. |
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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:
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6.3 
Open Source Freeware (includes program code) 
Windows 2000/2003/XP/Vista/7; Mac OS X; Linux
Portable version available
This software category is maintained by volunteer editor philip
- Article type:
Comments
I have files locked using Cryptext on a vista 32 bit machine, I moved the files over to a 64bit W7 machine and need a tool to unlock the files since Cryptext is not compatible with W7, and much less @7 64bit. I know the password so thats not the problem, Does anyone know of a tool or software I can use to unlock /open files encrypted with Cryptext ?
thanks
Gizmo's Freeware Forum is a better place to get help at this site for specific problems. More editors watch the forum, and you'll get excellent support there.
http://www.techsupportalert.com/freeware-forum/freeware-forum/
http://www.techsupportalert.com/freeware-forum/general-computer-support/
Comments here -- the page you're on now -- should relate directly to software that fits the title, "Best Free File Encryption Utility".
Gizmo's Freeware Forum is a better place to get help at this site for specific problems. More editors watch the forum, and you'll get excellent support there.
http://www.techsupportalert.com/freeware-forum/
http://www.techsupportalert.com/freeware-forum/freeware-forum/
http://www.techsupportalert.com/freeware-forum/general-computer-support/
the explorer in Safehouse Explorer does not have back and forward buttons which makes it hard to navigate between folders and for some reason the icons of files stored in Safehouse Explorer are missing!
The encrypted volume explorer in Safehouse Explorer is not an instance of Windows Explorer, it just uses some of the graphical elements. You are navigating a file system within the encrypted volume file, not the Windows file system itself. In other words, it's a file system within a file system.
The biggest problem that pseudo file explorer causes is that you cannot create files directly within the volume. I believe you can with the full (not free) Safehouse program though.
I am way over my head at this site, but I need to find some way to encrypt emails and attached files to send to my mother which she will access at her Assisted Living Facility public computer with printer. Would someone please point me to a "how to do this" webpage and recommend a freeware utility. Both computers have Windows XP Pro installed.
You may possibly get an answer here, but this is the comments section. The proper place to make requests for individual support is in the forum. Here you will be guaranteed a response as a lot more editors will see it.
http://www.techsupportalert.com/freeware-forum/general-computer-support/
Hi all.
I am the author of TheLetterEncrypter.
Someone had listed my app at your site so received some traffic and came to know about you.
I have just released the 2nd version of TheLetterEncrypter
It uses Rijndael Encryption Algorithm.
Its a 14 KB download(rar file and 41 KB extracted)
Single exe file.
Portable.
Simple to use
I'll be glad to hear comments on it.
Here's what I want to do and I wish to please just cut through all of the long descriptions of what it does. The above was not long, but I don't wish to use terminology, but rather, keep it simple. :)
First, I do NOT wish for the receiver of an encrypted file to be required to have a program installed on their computer to read the file, but if that's the only way to do what I need, then please let me know.
I am only looking to decrypt individual files, or an entire folder and be able to zip it up and then encrypt it.
It is okay if I have to zip it first if it's a folder and then encrypt it.
I would like to have it require a key that the program can generate, to open it and would appreciate a suggestion as to the best way to deliver it to someone, since obviously, sending the file and key in an email kind of defeats the purpose. :) And it would be more work to send two separate emails, but maybe that's what I'd have to do. Suggestions???
Then of course, there is the issue of putting a file on say, a USB stick, but then if the key isn't on there, now what? I mean if you put the key on the same USB stick, then what's the point in encrypting it, right?
I would obviously like strong encryption! :)
Can you tell me if your program can do these things?
And to anyone else reading, if this program doesn't do that, do you have any suggestions please (and thanks)?
Comments here -- the page you're on now -- should relate directly to software that fits the title, "Best Free File Encryption Utility".
Gizmo's Freeware Forum is a better place to get help at this site for specific problems. More editors watch the forum, and you'll get excellent support there.
http://www.techsupportalert.com/freeware-forum/
http://www.techsupportalert.com/freeware-forum/freeware-forum/
http://www.techsupportalert.com/freeware-forum/general-computer-support/
Thank you for posting. I'm sure you will get some value feedback from the comments section here. To speak to us directly we will need to confirm your status as program author in which case please register and click on the editor's name at the top of this review page to make contact with philip.
MC
Site Manager
Hi MC
I registered
Hi VenusSoft,
Thanks for joining us - it's always great to have direct interaction with software authors. Please feel free to contact any of the editors or myself with comments and suggestions.
I use Dscrypt, Axcrypt and Truecrypt on PCs running Windows XP. I am no security expert, so take what I say with a grain of salt. I was able to install Axcrypt on my work computer, but I do not have the rights to install or run a portable Truecrypt at work. Lately, I haven't been using Truecrypt at home, either. If you are not worried about forensic scrutiny of your computer, Dscrypt will run on anything. It's fast and easy, but when you open a file, it is not opened in memory, at least the author doesn't mention it as a feature. That being said, it the file encryption utility I use most. Axcrypt is almost as easy as dscrypt, has security I trust more, but it does have to be installed on the computer. If I'm working on something I really consider sensitive, I use Axcrypt and I don't open it on my work/enterprise computer. When I had greater security needs, I used to use Truecrypt. Now, I use it infrequently, although, I wonder if I should consider whole disk encryption, or if that would be going overboard in terms of my real security needs.
"If you are not worried about forensic scrutiny of your computer...."
@Anon: I like your use of "forensic security" in the context of free encryption software. :-)
I wouldn't resort to full-disk encryption unless I needed forensic security. I don't have any experience with full-disk encryption, but I suspect it can introduce complications in the ordinary use of your computer. I also wonder if it slows down your computing, because everything must be unencrypted on the fly.
Or maybe I'm just paranoid about something I've never tried. ;-)
Cheers ~ Philip
@ philip
Full disk encryption (from truecrypt) causes no problems to your computer however!! in order to use software such as bootdisks (partition managers, file surchers rescue disks) you will have to decrypt the drive as the programs will not recognise the operating system. as for speed truecrypt uses something called pipelining, i admit i have no idea what that means xD but from my experience on my laptop that is kinda old full disk encryption causes no problems with speed.
sorry for the junk message i typed this on my phone :S
For files I normally use DsCrypt and that works very nice and fast. It's very small, no installation is needed and it's very easy to use. So I agree with Philip to advise this freesoft to encrypt files.
I didn't see freeOTFE http://www.freeotfe.org mentioned yet. It also generates virtual disks, as TrueCrypt does, that you can mount and use. It's portable and works on PC's and PDA's. There's a special explorer version which doesn't need Administrator Rights.
jms
You'll find FreeOTFE, FreeOTFE Explorer, and others described at Best Free Encryption Utility for Personal Use at Work.
Cheers ~ Philip
Also SecurStick might be a candidate for your list.
Google translation (to english):
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.withopf.com%2Ftools%2Fsecurstick%2F&langpair=de|en
Original URL (german):
Moderator's Comment: Link to none English language site removed.
Thanks but we cannot accept links to non English language sites.
Crypt4Free - is *file* encryption utility.
It can encrypt files using Blowfish/DESX algorithms. And it is free.
www.aeppro.com/free/
I have used "EncryptOnClick" for years and am quite happy with it. However I would like Gizmo's to review this software and tell us if it really does work.
http://www.2brightsparks.com/onclick/eoc.html
Depends on what you mean by "really does work." ;-) The "DES" module is widely available and is probably OK. So it's how well the program implements the process that counts.
I did a quick search on "EncryptOnClick", and did not find anything other than the typical superficial reviews. All of them are based on functionality, and none of them on parsing or testing the full encryption process. That doesn't mean it's not just fine, but it's only an assumption if you decide it doesn't have fatal flaws. [See Encryption is Not Enough for more information.]
I did find a few tidbits of comparative description. "EncryptOnClick" deletes the original file on encryption, which can cause a loss of the file when things go wrong. Another person said that the interface does not offer enough options.
Cheers ~ Phil
Hi Phil,
Thanks for comment, but I think we all are missing a point here that tho "encryptonclick" lacks on some good feature like the other the software, it is very user friendly and it uses 256-bit AES encryption. Most of the software mentioned only uses 128. What I'm basically saying is that Gizmo's needs to look into the this software as it might be next to TrueCrypt. But that is just my personal opinion.
James.
James786: "Thanks for comment, but I think we all are missing a point here that tho "encryptonclick" lacks on some good feature like the other the software, it is very user friendly and it uses 256-bit AES encryption. Most of the software mentioned only uses 128."
There was comment on Bruce Schneier's blog some time ago that the 128 bit AES versions may be safer than the 256 bit AES due to problems with implementation in the latter. In any case, I doubt it matters to most people who gets their encryption software for free ie. usually non-critical home and small business users.
Godel
Great thread. I too needed a replacement for Cryptext since moving to Windows 7 64-bit. Man, I loved that utility.
I looked at some of the utilities mentioned in these comments (very insightful), but ultimately decided that true future portability meant using GPG. The nice thing: I can now decrypt/encrypt (and sign) with gpg on linux, mac, and windows.
Problem is that gpg4win's shell extension doesn't seem to be Win7 compatible yet. So I have to use it in Virtual XP Mode. But, I know windows7 will eventually be supported so this is a temporary inconvenience. I expect gpg to be around for a long time.
Donn
Moderator's Comment: Link removed. Not relevant to thread.
hey, this one i think could deserve yourses attention:
http://ppgp.sourceforge.net/
really straightforward to use, for text & files (you can also encrypt your email content with it through copy/paste). java-driven.
versions for windows and linux
AND
!!!a version that works in both, i.e. you can have the program on a USB and use it on both windows and linux PC's!!!
have only briefly tested it so far, but will try using double-compatible version on an USB to see how well it works.
i'm not able to assess how secure it is though.
I tried Safehouse, and it is very easy to use. Very friendly interface.
But, though they offer a "portable" version, it does write to the Registry, so if you are concerned about that, give a look to Rohos. Rohos is still growing and learning, but gets better with each version, and is truly portable, without registry writes. Free version allows up to 2-gb container, and you can, with a little fiddling, have more than one container on a single drive.
Anyone ever used Keyscrambler http://www.qfxsoftware.com/ ?
The free version offers encryption for key-strokes only on browsers.
Back in December I was looking for an encryption program for Win 7 64 bit AND 32 bit all Window platforms that was equivalent to Cryptext. Well for those who were also looking for the same thing, may I recommend Text2Exe from MAXA (http://www.maxa-tools.com/text2exe.php?lang=en).
It's free and works on any Windows platform and on thumb drives. The only down side is that a splash screen will show each time you de-crypt a file. You can't do multiple files. However, it is self contained and transferable from machine to machine.
I am looking for something like this.
That 1) this encryption program will keep my files/folders encrypted on my computer, all transparent. If, however, someone copied files from my computer ported to another, files will not open, i.e. this utility will use hardware on my computer as keys. I using a password shall be able to copy unencrypted.
And 2) will enable/disable usb ports by owners password.
Anyone knos such!!
Thank you
I dont really know what you mean by "use hardware on my computer as keys" but it sounds like truecrypt is your man. you can set encrypted archives in "invisable" which makes them unusable unless mounted with truecryps. you can do the same with usb's which will be unreadble unless mounted as well
I just installed Win7 64 bit. Until then I used all 32 bit Win programs from Win 3.1, Win 2000, and Win XP all 32 bit. I used Cryptext that work across all platforms and between various computers to encrypt mostly text created by Notepad. I'm still using 32 bit computers on my network in addition to the 64 bit Win 7. Cryptext is not 64 bit compatible. I need an encryption program that is simple, fast and works on both 32 & 64 bit. I'm storing the encypted files on the server running Win 2003 server (32 bit). I need to access files on any of the computers at any time. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Norm
Norm, I'm in the same boat as you. I love(d) cryptext as it is/was quick and easy. I still have it installed on several 32-bit machines but, as I sadly found out, it won't work on my shiny new 64-bit Windows 7.
Have you found any good Cryptext substitute?
If so, I'd like to hear your suggestions.
Thanks for any help!
-Steve
Steve,
Here's an another solution. Since Win 7 allows XP in virtual mode I decided to run Cryptext from there. Not the most elegant but I decided to go this route until I find the program I can use directly in 64 bit mode. At least it allows all platforms access to the encrypted files.
Steve,
I found two possibilities. One is Cryptnote and the other is MEO from NCH Software. Not exactly what we are looking for but they could work. I think part of the problem is that we need to change our mind set. We are not going to find a Cryptext type program that works the same. We're spoiled! If you try any of two I mentioned let me know what you think.
And you can use archivers for this purpose - since many of them support encryption. Too many to name, but at least some: 7-zip (free), IZArc (free) and others (see http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-file-archiver-zip-utility.htm).
See the cautionary note (just added) above in the introduction (clear-text versions of your file(s) remain on your hard drive if all you do us compress the file)
Cheers
Have you tried TheLetterEncrypter:
It isn't a file encryption utility but is a text encryption utility.
Its a freeware.
It is used to send encrypted messages to someone.
You encrypt a text file.
Then you can send that file via any means.
Then the receiver has to use the same program and the same password to decrypt
the text file.
The encryption quality is nice and strong.
Its worth trying.
Reaaallly nice.
I seriously doubt that a 9K encryption program, even if Steve Gibson himself wrote it, would pass the snake oil test. On the other hand, it might be fine for casual use.
Cheers
I have a t-shirt that has on it the perl code code for RSA encryption, both in text and in machine-readable barcode. (It says in big letters "This T-Shirt is a Munition", back when federal export regulations defined encryption software as such.)
The math behind this stuff is complicated, but the actual implementation is not.
Good.
Apart from our new Spanish section, TSA is an English language website. We welcome comments from visitors who may not have English as their first language and are more than happy to decipher the contents and always appreciate their effort to contribute. When it comes to recommending software however we need to take a different approach. Many of our visitors have only a basic understanding of computer functions and so software documentation needs to be clearly written and easy to understand. This requires that material translated into English from another language has to be of a high standard otherwise this criteria cannot be met. Because of this, links to software with poor English content will not be published. This action helps to safeguard users against possible system damage caused by a failure to understand a poorly translated instruction.
Hello,
I'm looking for a software (preferably free) that you can just right click a folder and select, Add Password (or similar function), then it requests that password before you can access the folder (if such a program exists).
I've tried many other encryption software, however, they often encrypt the entire folder thus when you click add a password, it takes a good 15 minutes if its a big folder like 1 GB plus.
So I'm looking for a software that you can just right click, add password, and bingo. When you try to access that folder, it prompts you to input your password.
Nothing fancy.
Please reply, if such a program exists.
Am I asking for too much? o.O
Have you tried Androsa FileProtector
Try AxCrypt. It's what I use and does precisely what you are looking for. Very elegant and simple.
Correction- I didn't read your request very carefully. AxCrypt will indeed encrypt the contents of the folder in question. However, why would you want the folder itself to be encrypted, while the contents are not? Your files within would be vulnerable...
One more thing to SafeHouse though. If the option 'preinitialise volume with random data' is left on it can take a while until this volume is created. Laptop, AMD 2.0 GHz, 2 GB RAM, just AV and FW running in the background, 1 GB container created took 83 minutes.
Interesting. I've created 1, 2 and 4 GB volumes on ordinary desktop PC and none of them took more than a few minutes. Not that it's critically important for most users, but if you don't preinitialize with random data the unused "white space" -- all zeros I imagine -- makes it much easier and quicker to break the key.
Whenever I recommended TrueCrypt to my students I always get the same comments about the awkward usage and awful instructions. Why confuse the hell out of users giving instructions to mount a virtual drive that is in the end nothing more than a container.
SafeHouse wins this one hands down. They too feel the urge to publish instructional videos but the actual process of creating that container is much more straight forward than shown in the videos. Portability is just great with the options of a self-extracting archive or an executable. [paranoia alert]I'd send files by email and password by mobile phone[/paranoia]
Very similar software is SafeHouse Explorer 3.0 (http://www.safehousesoftware.com/). It's free tool wich uses AES-256 algorithm to protect your private data. Portable SafeHouse Explorer allows you to access to encrypted volumes (it is just secured file-container) from anywhere including memory sticks and CD/DVD. Also there are self-decryption feature, secure delete and others.
Thanks for the tip Anon. I used SafeHouse for several years in a previous life. ;-) It was a fine program, much like TrueCrypt, with a few more features as I recall. The newly-released, free SafeHouse Explorer looks interesting. I'll be evaluating it soon.
Update: I've evaluated SafeHouse Explorer, and with the exception of one operational trap (described in the review above), I found it was an excellent program.
Cheers
It is sometimes confusing to choose the best tool with so many options available.
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy tooooooo many programs!!!!! is there anyone who can say definitively which program is the best all around program? sounds to me like truecrypt, but so many of you keep mentioning another program, and another... maybe list a top five, and the reasons that they are deserving of their ranking.
I recomend only one - TRUECRYPT. Symetric algorithms like AES, Serpent(symetric alg which was in the same contest as AES) with key longer than 256 bit provide high security. You can create hiddent encrypted partition, encrypt all disk, provide authentication during access to computer, create encrypted container (in file) which you mount as a systenm device. You can also use combination of e.g AES/Serpent (You can even modify sources for your own purpose. Remember to make backup before using and leave it in a safe place, use strong passwords and don't forget them :)
You're not thinking hard enough. Each of the three programs is best used in a specific use case. I use all three depending on my needs.
Truecrypt - when you want an encrypted disk or container that mounts and acts like a disk. You then treat it as a disk. "Traveller mode" offers take-it-to-go encryption.
Axcrypt - when you want encryption integrated into Windows, and prefer to encrypt file by file.
dscrypt - when you want absolute portability, a tiny executable, and don't encrypt items very often.
I'm not sure why I'm even bothering. If you won't read the descriptions, you won't read this either. You'd probably have an idiot's password as well.
Of course nobody can say which program is definitively the best.
Most of us leave such attitudes in our childhood.
You're offered a list of 3 recommendations... with reasons... followed by (effectively) a discussion.
Most grownups can cope with this level of information exchange.
I've been using 'cryptext' v3.4 for years and years. Simple, free, and easy. Highlight a file and right click to encrypt or decrypt. Available everywhere. Sometimes simple is best.
Agree completely. Cryptext won't work on 64-bit, though, so I'm looking for a new substitute with similar functionality - any ideas? Have you tested anything new recently? Thanks! -Steve
Today I launched my unbreakable file cipher software, its strength depends on password secrecy. Its FREEWARE, you can get it at www.ak0n.tk
FREEWARE Rocks!!!
ak0n, your website is the worst I've encountered in a long time. Better remove those annoying javascripts that keep you in, it doesn't look good for your software.
hey ihave glary utilitys and it comes with an encryptor, it doesn't have many options, just wondering how tamper proof it is.
AxCrypt is full of bugs - at least on Vista - crashes frequently and corrupts files regularly that cannot be recovered. Also beware of free encryption programs like this that seem to have ceased undergoing regular development and bug fixes. Last update to AxCrypt was back in '07. Not enough development to ensure security of valuable files.
I can't speak of Vista compatibility because I use XP, but the last update to AxCrypt (version 1.6.4.4) was released on May 15, 2008.
TrueCrypt6 also supports FDE (Full Disk Encryption), allowing you to encrypt your C: drive in total. No more worries about who has access to your data if you should loose your laptop!
hard to use with multi boot systems lol
you need to have a windows boot manager, does anyone know how to do this after downloading any linux system?
I'd also suggest Pismo File Mount Audit Package for the list
It si great free ZIP / CFC / CD/DVD IMAGE "mounter" - free for personal and business use, small, and easy to use!
Its aditional great feature is "PRIVATE FOLDERS" - you can create a password protected/encrypted/compressed ".PFO" file.
If you "mount" it with password, your have a normal folder, but if you unmount it it is just a file! Nobody can see
what's in it without a password.
http://www.pismotechnic.com/pfm/ap/
after reviewing several i'd endorse this, Pismo does seem the most suited to my needs.
A good pros/cons review of these apps would be good based on requirements e.g. one file?, a million files?, portability?, documentation?, ease of use?, recovery?, etc.
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