Don't Play With Fire!

I can't say that I am crazy about keeping my computer secure, but I know there are a lot of people who have much more to defend than I do. After all, if I kept my bank account information on the computer or some photos with me naked taken when I was three, I wouldn't enjoy at all the idea of them becoming known to the public. The easiest solution to avoid this is to cut the network cable and never connect my computer to any network ever again, but the more practical one is to get a program that would help me protect my data.

I haven't seen any hardware keyboard or mouse locking device lately, at least not for the large mass of computer users, and using a program to completely deny access to a computer is not such a good idea, since most threats come from the Internet, so the only standing solution is software encryption.

Today's encryption tool is called Ashampoo Magic Security; the current version is numbered 1.65 and its price is 29.99$. Of course, you can test this program for free for an entire month, if you get the free serial to add another 20 days to the initial 10 you receive after installing the application. The installation kit is almost 6MB in size and the setup process finishes fast and without any special problems.

The interface and features of this program could be easily covered in the next three lines, but I'll try to give you as much info as possible. First, let's see what you should expect from this application's interface...

Did I say Ashampoo? Yes, I did. If this is going to be your first program from this producer, then you should know three things: clean, shiny and very easy to use - these are the attributes that you'll always find in Ashampoo's interfaces. This time, we have a menu bar, a toolbar with all the program's functions and an Explorer like interface that is used to browse your disk.

There is only one goal that you must have in your mind: encrypt everything that must be kept secure! To do that, all you have to do is browse to the location where those files or folders are to be found, and then encrypt them by using the Ctrl+E shortcut, the Edit menu Encrypt option or the toolbar button.

Once the file has been encrypted, the reverse operation is just as easy as encryption. If you are tired of typing passwords again and again and using a single one seems like a good solution for you, then you can go to the Settings menu and choose Enter a new password and it's done! You have a single default password for encryption and decryption operations!

There's only one greater thing to do with this program; and I must say it's an excellent one: encrypt files to CD/DVD discs! All you have to do is choose the files, the right option from the Edit menu and then follow the steps of the burning assistant. As a last addition, let me say that your data can also be encrypted to executable password-protected files.

These being said, prepare to cast some security magic on your computer, but first let's draw some conclusions!

The Good

Ashampoo Magical Security is a small, easy to use, good looking and useful program. Its encryption to CD/DVD discs is a very useful feature to have, along with its encrypt to EXE capability.

The Bad

I can only think about one problem with this program and, unfortunately, it's a big one: the price.

The Truth

You have a month at your disposal to check out this program, and I advise you to use each day of it as well as you can, but try to avoid one thing: don't you ever forget the passwords! Good luck!

Here are some snapshots of the application in action: