PGP 8.0.2

PGP is a program that allows you to send documents and e-mail, Internet, safe from prying eyes.

Using it you can protect your data and personal information so that they can not be read by unauthorized persons: Only the recipient set by us will be able to see.
A user who wants to send an encrypted document to another must be used to encode the message, the private key together with the recipient's public key. The recipient to correctly decode the received message should instead use his private key and public key of the sender.

Sounds complicated in reality it is not at all: this is done automatically by the encryption program that is used and in this way you will have a high level of safety by ensuring at the same time, the integrity of the data.

We be sure that the authenticity of the message (that we are sure that the message is coming from which we know the public key) and confidentiality of that (the method used provides assurance that the information sent through the network can not be acquired by unauthorized parties).

The most popular software that makes use of the solution to your PGP public key is, considered perhaps the best encryption program.

PGP 8.0.2

Kruptos 2

It was a free program that suddenly has become a fee. In any case, in the category of the free software to encrypt data remain valid alternative.

It's a program that allows encryption to encrypt files and folders, which is characterized mainly by two things: ease of use (just use the explorer to right click on any file or folder to be able to encrypt or decrypt) and the possibility (user selectable) to create self-extracting executable (.exe) that contain everything you want (documents, programs, or other), which can only be opened with the password, without the presence of Kruptos 2.

Similarly you can delete files from your hard disk in a safe, always using the right mouse button, so that it can not be recovered.
Is 256-bit encryption algorithm and used the old (1993), but still valid, Blowfish.

Kruptos 2 at the time given is compatible with Windows XP but not Vista or Windows 7.
I did some testing with Vista and sembrebbe least mostly work, but would not make sense to risk when there are other similar programs that are declared even Vista compatible and 7.

Kruptos 2

PixelCryptor

There are many programs to encrypt and protect files and folders, as shown in the class to encrypt data hitfreeware.blogspot.com. The vast majority of these programs using a password chosen by the user, without which the data can not be recovered.

PixelCryptor follows a different route: instead of a word, use it. To encrypt our documents, we show an image (jpg, bmp etc..) Through which our files will be protected, and thereafter to open it, we show the same password.

The idea on which PixelCryptor is that when you use a standard password, if this is simple can be discovered, and if it is complex can be forgotten (unless you write it somewhere, which is also Security worse), but if we use an image, maybe put in among thousands of other images more or less similar (a CD or DVD with photos from our digital camera, and this CD is placed in the middle of many other CD), will be quite difficult to discover (should an intruder try to open our files encrypted with all the images of all the CDs we have).

As an idea in itself is not bad, but the fact remains that the intruder, if he proves all the images one by one, sooner or later end up opening our store, we like it or not (something much more difficult when we have a memorized password).

PixelCryptor

Omziff

A little program very simple and lightweight (about 400k) to encrypt documents, which requires no installation, and then you can run from any support we want. Supports all major encryption algorithms, but with 128-bit keys (does not support 256-bit keys). Does not allow you to create self-extracting executable (Kruptos as, for example), which means that you must run to open encrypted documents above. It should also remember the algorithm which is able to encrypt the document to open it. There are programs in this area that are higher, but precisely its lightness makes it noteworthy.

Beyond that are a function to generate a password for the secure deletion of files from hard disk.

Omziff

Gpg4win

Gpg4win is one of the best, if not the best free program for Windows (it is also open source and can also be used for commercial purposes) be able to encrypt their email. And the program that most closely recalls Pgp Pro has long become a fee.

To protect your emails using the classic system of the key pair, the public key (for distribution to those who will read our emails) and private key are created through the program and verify digital signatures.

It can use Gpg4win in two ways: either using the programs in Gpg4win, making it able to work with any email client (in this case it will do some cutting and pasting text from encrypted email client to WinPT, a Gpg4win application contained in the package) or via plugin (for example there is a plugin for Outlook), in which case we will do everything within the mail client itself.

Using Gpg4win is not difficult, however, if you are not familiar in this field (creation/use of public and private key, etc..), It is essential to read the program guide.

Gpg4win

AxCrypt

AxCrypt is an open source program that has a graphical interface like everyone else, but it works by clicking the right mouse button on any application or document you want to password protect. Through the Explorer menu, we can choose between various options crifratura.

It is not possible to encrypt multiple files. If we do, we must first create a zip archive, or any other medium, and then encrypt the file with AxCrypt: in this case, however, might as well create a self-extracting archive encrypted with a normal archiving program, with programs such as 7z, PeaZip, WinRAR, or similar.

It can also create self-extracting archives, so that if we send the encrypted file to a friend of ours, it will only need a password to open it (without AxCrypt on your computer).

The encryption algorithm is AES (considered one of the safest) to 128 bits (other programs, such as TrueCrypt, can also be encrypted to 256 bits).

As the program is certainly valid. My preference in this area is however more traditional programs, and with more features, such as TrueCrypt.

AxCrypt

DiskCryptor

DiskCryptor is a good open source program that enables us to encrypt the hard drive (whole or in part): so there can only be accessed by typing a password. You can encrypt individual partitions (including the boot partition C:), but also USB flash drives and CD/DVD (in this case will be encrypted ISO image, which must then be burned).

In other words you can encrypt an entire hard drive (or any external drive), and if you do not have the password will be impossible to gain access to part of it in any way.

Encryption algorithms to choose from are now considered among the safest, namely AES, Twofish, Serpent.

The efficiency and speed DiskCryptor are excellent.
A powerful processor is not essential, but it is very pleasing, not to suffer delays in operations with the hard disk. Since that henceforth any data that is read or written to the Hard Disk will be encrypted, the processor will be constantly called into question. This will cause a slight slowdown more or less proportional to the power of your CPU.

If you want to know how your computer slows down, try a couple of tests with SSD Benchmark CristDiskMark or AS before and after you encrypt a partition encrypted: you will find that there will be some slowdown, especially if your processor is not last generation.

The usefulness of this program becomes evident especially for notebook computers: while the laptop is lost (or stolen), it will be impossible to access our data without the password.

TrueCrypt, free program to reference the class, certainly has some more features (including the ability to hide an encrypted partition within a normal); DiskCryptor, however, defends himself very well.

IMPORTANT: This is a type of program that needs to be done carefully, and it is absolutely unsuitable for an inexperienced user. In fact, if by chance one day install an application that creates conflicts of any kind and Windows no longer able to boot, or if the hard drive begins to malfunction, or if it should happen that something unexpected will prevent DiskCryptor leaving (you corrupts the boot partition), then it can become difficult-sometimes impossible-to access our data (or even simply recover).

DiskCryptor

LockNote

LockNote can encrypt the text (including passwords, etc..), Creating a self-extracting executable in a completely automatic. Requires no installation, and is so simple to use that it is impossible to get confused: Just try it for a few moments to understand the effectiveness and immediacy. Among other things, encrypts with 256 bit AES algorithm.

NOTE TO ALL: When I consider freeware (for this I gave him the edge above green, and blue as the open source), because the current version 1.0.4 is not available the source code (available instead to 1.0.3). This for other programs would make little difference, but instead it can do for data encryption programs (in the sense that an experienced user, looking at the code, would feel safer).

LockNote