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Publisher's Description
http://www.truecrypt.org
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Easy to use strong file encryption, integrated with Windows Explorer. Encrypt,
compress, decrypt, wipe, view and edit with a few mouse clicks. Cryptographic
primitives are AES-128 and SHA-1. A combination of strong symmetric encryption
with compression and double-click editing/viewing. Encrypted files have a .AXX
extension added to their names, and are shown with a new icon. AxCrypt has passed
the Microsoft Platform Test for ISV Solutions at VeriTest. Testing was conducted
independently by VeriTest, a testing service of Lionbridge Technologies.
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This article is not complete. I will be adding to and revising it
over the next couple of weeks as/if I have time. However, the article does at this
time contain information you may find useful. Have a great day, Tom
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Encryption is a process used to scramble
information/data making it unreadable until it is unscrambled/unencrypted.
Encryption can be used control access to private information. Learn more about
encryption by reading my article "Use Encryption".
AxCrypt allows you to encrypt and protect individual files or entire
folders/directories of files. AxCrypt is FREE of charge and VERY simple
to use. AxCrypt can be used on any computer running Microsoft's Windows
95, 98, ME, NT, 2K, XP.
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why bother using encryption?
Home and SOHO (small office, home office) computer users should use encryption
to reduce the possibility of becoming victims of identity theft. The FTC (Federal
Trade Commission) reported that over 8 million Americans were victims of identity
theft in 2005. Information stored on a desktop computer, laptop or portable
drive that uniquely identify's a person or business should be encrypted. Encrypt
documents, spreadsheets, databases that store social security and drivers license
numbers, business tax id (FEIN), credit card, and bank account numbers. These
types of data have value in the underground economy and are purchased, sold and
traded by criminals using the Internet and other means. Identity thieves can use
these types of uniquely identifying information to commit fraud in your name or
business name.
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SOHO businesses can use encryption to control access to valuable
client/customer and vendor/supplier lists and databases. A disgruntled employee
might steal customer and vendor lists for use at a future employer (your competitor
perhaps). Client/customer and vendor/supplier lists would prove useful if an
employee leaves to start a similar business. The theft of these types of information
could jeopardize the competitiveness, future growth and longevity of your business.
According to the "2004 E-Crime Watch Survey" conducted by the US Secret
Service, CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team) and CSO Magazine when the
perpetrators of electronic crimes could be identified 29 percent were committed
by insiders.
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SOHO (small office, home office) businesses should consider their potential
legal liability if private employee information is stolen and used to cause harm
(identity theft). Databases, spreadsheets and any document that contains private
employee information should be encrypted. Use AxCrypt and encryption to protect
the confidentiality of employee medical and salary information. The fact that you
have taken the precaution to use encryption would surely be looked upon favorably
by any court/judge or jury.
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AxCrypt can also be used to encrypt computer
backups you create. Laptops and thumb/flash drives are easily lost or stolen.
Any private personal or business information contained on these devices should be
encrypted to limit access to it.
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New methods to circumvent the security of computers are devised every
day. I will be expanding this section as I have time over the next 2
weeks. Tom
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how to use axCrypt
You will need to enter a password to encrypt or decrypt files and folders. The
strength of the encryption AxCrypt uses is in part dependent on the strength/quality
of the password you choose. I suggest you use a "password manager" to help create
and store your passwords. The FREE
"Password Agent Lite" can generate complex, strong
passwords and store them for you. All the passwords you store in Password Agent
Lite are themselves encrypted and protected. You may also want to read my article
"Create Strong Passwords".
To encrypt a file or folder/directory using AxCrypt:
- right click the file or folder/directory
- go to "AxCrypt" on the menu (see following image)
- click on "Encrypt"
- enter, then verify your passphrase/word
- click the "OK" button to encrypt or decrypt (see following image)
Encrypted files are assigned a new icon/image and 3 letter file extension
of ".axx". To decrypt a file follow the preceding directions and click
on "Decrypt" instead of "Encrypt".
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useful axCrypt features
Double-click to open/edit/view encrypted files: Double click any
file encrypted by AxCrypt and a password dialog automatically opens. Enter your
password and click in the checkbox next to "Remember this for decryption" (see above image).
You no longer need to enter your password to access the file until the next time
you log off or restart your computer. Right click the file and choose "Clear
Passphrase Memory" to once again require a password to decrypt and access the file
(see image below).
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| Automatic re-encryption: Some encryption applications require
that you manually re-encrypt a file after you finish working with it. You have to
choose to encrypt the file and manually enter your password. What if you forget to
re-encrypt the file? Obviously, you loose the protection encryption offers.
AxCrypt automatically re-encrypts the file once you close it. Humans are often
the weak link in computer security. Automatic re-encryption eliminates one
potential security weakness.
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| Integrated file shredder: When you choose to delete a file
from your computer it IS NOT actually removed from the computer. The reference to
the file is removed from the file system table which is essentially a master list
of all the files on the computer. The deleted file MAY eventually be overwritten
by new files added to your computer's hard drive. However, until it is overwritten
it can be retrieved by someone who knows how and has the tools (freely available
on the Internet) to retrieve it. AxCrypt's file shredder and deletion feature
overwrites a file in such a way that makes it extremely difficult to retrieve.
Any database, spreadsheet, Word document or other file that holds personally
identifying information should be securely shredded/deleted using AxCrypt's file
shredder and deletion feature.
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Securely removing files is especially important
should you ever sell or donate your computer, it's hard drive or any flash or
portable drives. I recommend a FREE application called
Eraser to securely erase entire drives or disks.
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Secure information you send by e-mail:
You can encrypt any file with AxCrypt and send it as an attachment to an e-mail.
Relay the files password to the recipient in advance of sending the file. The
recipient must also have AxCrypt installed on their computer. AxCrypt can also
create "self decrypting files". The recipient of a "self decrypting
file" does not need to have AxCrypt or any special software installed on
their computer. A "self decrypting file" is any file that is
encrypted/scrambled and packaged in such a way that it can be automatically
unencrypted by entering a password. The self decrypting file is in a sense a
package that holds what you want to send. However, the contents of the package
are stored in an encrypted state. The information the "self decrypting file"
contains is protected and can be safely sent over the Internet as an attachment
to e-mail. To decrypt and open the self decrypting file the recipient double
clicks it. A password dialog opens where the password can be entered.
To create a self decrypting file:
- right click the file you want to transform into a self decrypting file
- go to "AxCrypt" on the menu
- click on "Encrypt copy to .EXE" on the secondary menu
- enter and verify a passphrase/word in the dialog box
- click the "OK" button
Your original file is left unchanged. A new, additional file will be generated
with the same name as your original. However, the new file will have the 3 letter
extension ".exe" appended to it. For example, a file named "cust_orders.mdb" will
become "cust_orders.mdb.exe". This is your self decrypting file. This is the
file you can send as an attachment to an e-mail. The content of the file is not
changed other than the fact that it is encrypted.
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Rename function obscures/hides original file name:
Sometimes a computer files name can be enough to reduce privacy or draw the
attention of data or identity thieves. Use AxCrypt's "Rename" option to have
AxCrypt automatically assign any file a new, random name. You must first
encrypt the file using AxCrypt. Right click the encrypted file you want
to rename, choose AxCrypt, then "Rename". For example, a spreadsheet file encrypted
with AxCrypt might be automatically renamed from "cust_accounts.xls.axx." to
"78CDC85B.axx". The file will be automatically changed back to it's original name
when you decrypt it with AxCrypt. The original file name is also visible when the
file is decrypted and opened with it's associated application.
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You can rename individual files or entire folders/directories of files. Rename
multiple files at the same time by clicking on each file while holding the "Ctrl"
button down. Right click any highlighted file, choose AxCrypt, then the "Rename"
option. This same method will work if you want to encrypt multiple files at a
time.
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final thoughts and suggestions
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Use a password manager like the FREE "Password Agent Lite"
to generate and securely store your AxCrypt and other passwords. Password Agent Lite
protects all your usernames, passwords, notes and more with encryption. You only need
to enter one password to access all the passwords stored with Password Agent Lite.
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Store a copy of "AxDecrypt" with any backups you create. AxDecrypt is a small,
autonomous program included with your installation of AxCrypt. AxDecrypt will
allow you to access your backups even if AxCrypt is not installed on the computer
you are working from. AxDecrypt can be useful in an emergency when your main computer
is not functioning properly and you need access to files located in your backups.
AxDecrypt will usually be located in C:\Program Files\Axon Data\AxCrypt\AxCrypt_version_number
(example: 1.6.4.4-0).
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AxCrypt has file support > 4GB (on Windows NT/2K/XP). If you need to encrypt
and store larger amounts of files/data, consider using the FREE encryption
application called TrueCrypt. TrueCrypt uses a slightly
different approach and uses encrypted "volumes". Think of a encrypted volume as
a container you use to store your files. Any file added to an encrypted volume
is immediately and automatically encrypted to protect it. Decryption of a file
happens automatically when you open/view it. An encrypted volume can be easily
backed up to a CD/DVD, portable drive or any media that has the capacity to hold
the size of your encrypted volume. You could use AxCrypt and TrueCrypt
simultaneously by encrypting files with AxCrypt and storing them within
a TrueCrypt volume. This allows additional control over any files you encrypt and
store.
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Click
 to download a FREE
version of this program.
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Warning: All the software I suggest is popular and well tested. However,
any time you add a program/application or hardware device to your computer you run the
risk of a problem developing with your computer. Always back up important files on your
computer before installing any new program/application or device. You download
and install any new software at your risk.
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