14 DAY TRIAL // Keeping all your documents private is not too difficult if you choose the right tool and, fortunately, there are plenty on the Internet. Sure that there is no password impossible to break, but for some of them you need more than a lifetime, while, for others, a simple brute force attack is all you need to reveal. So here's when encryption algorithms come into scene, wrapping your countersigns up with a protecting cloak so that the villain has a tough time.
Throwing the invisibility cloak on your files for protecting them is one of the easiest and safest way to keep your data away from prying eyes, but it so happens that every now and then the use of a certain software can reveal all ensconced files. So encrypting them in a different format is one precaution you should always consider.
File Encryption XP, although the name suggests it, is not limited to XP platforms and works perfectly well in Vista environment also. Its purpose is to help you protect important files by encrypting them with the strong Blowfish algorithm. All encrypted files are saved in the proprietary FEX, which makes the protection virtually impossible to break.
Although there is a $29.95 price on its tag, you have a chance to fully test the application for a total period of 30 days. The interface is nice and simple, reminding of the convenience of Windows Explorer, as you have a folder tree in the left for browsing to the desired location, while the contents of the folders are displayed in the right. Almost all the options are aligned in the top part and include encryption and decryption buttons, wipe function and access to software's settings. The only thing missing is the access to the password manager available in the application.
In the lower part, the user benefits from a log file which keeps track of all the jobs done with File Encryption XP (within a user defined size limit) and the search function that allows looking for files either by type or by name on any part of your disk. These two windows are dockable and can be moved anywhere in the interface you feel comfortable.
One of the best parts of the software is that it can be installed on a portable device with the utmost ease. The thing is to have it installed on the desktop computer and, from that installation, you can place it effortlessly on your portable device. With its transition to the USB device, you can take any encrypted files as well, so that you don't have to copy them manually later, after the installation process is completed.
Encrypting files is as easy as browsing to its location inside File Encryption XP, select it and press F6 key (or use the appropriate button in the toolbar). A dialog will pop up in a jiffy, asking for setting a password and defining the storage location for the encrypted file. Additional options permit wiping the source file after the process, or create a self-extracting encrypted file. The latter option permits opening encrypted items without having File Encryption XP installed on the computer. Suffice to input the right password and the decrypting will take place. Just like in the case of encryption, when it comes to decrypting, the software makes users' work easier by allowing automatic wiping of the source files.
The application can be used to safely delete files on your computer without having to encrypt/decrypt them. Unfortunately, there is no specific algorithm for the procedure, but it does a great job. It seems that wiping a file consists into inserting a random set of characters into it and save it to the disk. This way, all the entire file is scrambled and there are little chances to recover it. During our testing, we were able to see the wiped file and retrieve it, but it could not be opened as the associated program would not recognize it. So, the downside of the process is that you can retrieve its name, as the actual data is corrupted.
The password manager included in the software is nothing extraordinary, but has one special feature that adds great value. You can define the type of characters to be contained by the generated countersign (lower and uppercase letters, numbers and special characters) as well as its length (maximum is 128). But the special part is that you can provide templates to inspire the manager. Just type in a password format you want and the manager will generate a countersign that resembles your template. It will not take the template and scramble the characters, but will analyze the elements in it. That is, if you use a template containing only lowercase letters and numbers, the generated password will also contain only lowercase letters and numbers. Simply put, the tool copies the characteristics of your template and applies them in the generated result.
As for setting up the application, it is related to defining the size of the log file, setting wipe function to automatic when Encrypt and Decrypt functions are used and setting the number of overwrites to be performed during the wipe procedure (it goes up to 100).
File Encryption XP makes for a very good file encryption tool, combining the security of Blowfish encryption algorithm with the ease of use of a convenient interface. All the operations are thoroughly explained in the help file, although the intuitive window barely needs it. The three operations the application is tailored to perform are easy to understand and encrypting/decrypting/wipe procedure is extremely easy.
The Good
Computer skill level is absolutely irrelevant when using File Encryption XP as the application does not pose any problems and everything is intuitive enough not to need further indications. Its options added to Explorer's context menu increase the ease of use of the software.
Encryption/decryption process is done fast and users benefit from the comfort of hotkeys to accomplish the job. Each operation can be recorded by a log which can be of any size you want.
The application offers the possibility of creating self-extracting files so that they can be opened on computers where the File Encryption XP is not installed.
You can easily install it on a portable device and use it on any computer you plug it in, just like it would be the desktop version.
The Bad
The wiping process does a great job with making them un-recoverable, but it will not mask their names in any way.
For the $29.95 on the price tag I was expecting an application abounding in options and settings.
The Truth
It is a great companion if all you need is encrypt, decrypt, wipe files and easily create passwords, but the price is a bit steep for what it offers. However, the app is at an early version and there is plenty of room for improvement.
Here are some snapshots of the application in action:
