Best Of

Best Of: Best Free File Encryption Tools

Privacy and security online is one of the most important things you can have, sadly all the files on your computer are exposed to anyone with or without access to your desktop.Encryption tools work by using algorithms to lock a file making it un openable without the right software (and password if necessary).The military and top secret agencies use state of the art encryption applications to secure their files, you really don’t need all that, with a basic 128-bit keys for encryption, and SHA-1 for hashes you should be more than secure.

1) AxCrypt: AxCrypt is the easiest to use and one of the most powerful, AxCrypt integrates into your right click menu in windows, it uses AES-128 and SHA-1 encryption algorithms and also has some additional features like creation of self-decrypting files, automatic re-encryption after editing, secure deletion (wiping) of files and temporaries, cryptographic data integrity validation, separate key and data encrypting keys, secure internal memory handler and a few others.It only lacks encryption for folders, other than that its brilliant.

2) TrueCrypt: TrueCrypt is open-source and enables you to create a virtual encrypted disk within a file and mount it as a virtual disk, that can be accessed via a drive letter, any file stored in the drive will be automatically encrypted and can only be viewed if the drive is mounted with the right password.TrueCrypt has more powerful encryption algorithms than AxCrypt and a few additional ones like AES-256, Blowfish (448-bit key), CAST5, Serpent, Triple DES, and Twofish.Some of its additional features are support for FAT32 or NTFS formatting, hidden volumes, hotkeys for mounting/dismounting.

3) Cryptainer LE: Cryptainer LE enables you to create a secure container on your PC, using powerful 128 bit strong encryption, similar to TrueCrypt it can also create virtual drive letter(s), and all files that are added to this drive are encrypted on-the-fly.Crytainer can also create a secure storage container on any media including external and removable drives (e.g. USB drives, CD etc).One of its main features is the ability to send mail encrypted files using self-decrypting EXE attachments, allowing the receiver of the file to open it without the need of having any decryption program installed.The reason it has gotten third position in my countdown is because this is the limited version of the program, your storage container can not exceed 25 Mb’s, if you would like to make bigger storage containers you will have to purchase the pay version =|.

Respected Contenders: Zero Footprint Crypt, Omziff, File Waster, Androsa FileProtector.

Also Read:

• Featured: TrueCrypt
• Featured: AxCrypt
• Featured:Gmail Drive
• Best Of: Best Free FTP Clients
• How To: Hide Folders And Files In Windows

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