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TrueCrypt http://www.truecrypt.org
Cost: Free
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TrueCrypt can be used to encrypt/protect the types of computer files/information
most home and SOHO (small office/home office) users would use or produce. Don't let
the fact that it is FREE of charge fool you. It is fast, stable and offers useful
options that most computer users will need or want from this type of product.
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TrueCrypt is produced by the TrueCrypt Foundation as "open source software". As I
understand it "open source" refers to the fact that the programming code used to
create/design TrueCrypt is available for anyone to review or modify (with some
limitations). This is not the case with all software/applications available to the
general public. For instance, Microsoft DOES NOT make the programming code of it's
products freely/easily available for review. People who create open source software
believe that higher quality, more secure software is produced when many people
can openly review their work.
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TrueCrypt is similar in many ways to Cryptainer LE, encryption software produced by
a company called Cypherix. I discuss Cryptainer LE more thoroughly later in this
article. Both products are fully functional, FREE of charge with no annoying requests
for money or registration. Either product allows you to encrypt files by dragging
and dropping or saving directly to the drive/volume/container used to hold encrypted
files (More on this later). TrueCrypt and Cryptainer LE, can both be used/run from
a USB flash/thumb (or other removable drives) without being installed on the host
(computer you are using). Both products can be used to encrypt/protect data stored
on CD/DVD drives. Both products are easy to use once you install the program and
create the volumes/containers. I cover these topics later in this article.
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Some of the main differences between TrueCrypt and Cryptainer LE
are:
- TrueCrypt will work/run on Windows XP (both 32 and 64-bit editions), 2000, Server
2003 and Linux (kernel 2.6.5 or later).
Cryptainer LE works/runs on Windows 95/98/ME/2000/XP/2003 Server.
- TrueCrypt can be used to encrypt up to 8,589,934,592 GB (WOW!). Cryptainer LE allows you
to encrypt only 25 Megabytes at one time. You can purchase Cryptainer PE if you
need to encrypt larger amounts of files/data.
- TrueCrypt offers more options/types of encryption you can use. TrueCrypt offers
AES-256, Blowfish (448-bit key), CAST5, Serpent, Triple DES, and Twofish. Cryptainer LE
offers only one type of encryption, 128-bit Blowfish. The default type of encryption used
by either of these products should be sufficient for most home and SOHO (small office, home office)
computer users.
- TrueCrypt does not provide a means to encrypt information with the specific purpose
of sending it by e-mail. Cryptainer LE provides 2 different methods of encrypting
sensitive information to be sent/delivered using e-mail.
TrueCrypt and Cryptainer LE both use volumes/container files (more on these later)
to store your encrypted data/files while on your computer or removable drive.
However, these volumes/container files could also be used to secure/protect
information/files sent by e-mail. You can send the volume/container file that holds your
encrypted information as a file attachment to an e-mail. The recipient would need to
have the application (TrueCrypt or Cryptainer) used to encrypt the data installed
on their computer or removable drive (Example: USB). You will want to arrange a
separate different method of delivering the password (phone/fax) needed to decrypt
and access any volumes/containers/files you send.
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Note: Before sending information as attachments to e-mail check with
the ISP/company that provides your e-mail service. Some ISP's (Internet Service Providers)
have limits on the maximum size of any file attachments that can be sent through their
e-mail servers/service. Also, some antivirus software can be configured to strip/remove
e-mail attachments. Many types of computer viri created over the last few years are delivered
to their target (you and I) as e-mail attachments. Stripping potentially
dangerous attachments provides an additional layer of protection. Unfortunately the
files/information you want to send may not get through to the intended recipient.
Whether you experience this issue/problem will depend on the antivirus program
your intended recipient uses and how it is configured. I discuss these issues in
more detail later in this article when I address securing
information you send by e-mail.
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Do you want to learn more about TrueCrypt, how to install and use it? I've written a
tutorial to help you get started on the following pages.
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| Click here to view an image of the program. |
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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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| Copyright © 1996-2011 Tom Bowser. All rights reserved. |
