The methods for keeping your data safe from prying eyes vary from user to user. Some prefer simply hiding the files from everyone else (if they don't know where it is, they can't peek in), but accidental finding has been known to happen, especially if the perpetrator knows how to make hidden data visible (and this is not quite rocket science), so this is not foolproof.

Encryption, on the other hand, may be a more suitable choice for some of you, because it ciphers up the data in a proprietary container, making the effort of de-scrambling the information too much, even for the most patient wrong-doer. Even if encrypting sensitive files’ weakest spot is that they can be deleted, moved or copied, this method stands among the most efficient ways to secure data.

LockFiler is a data-encryption tool designed to protect your files using the Dynamic Linkage Data Encryption System, which specifies a one-way symmetrical encryption algorithm. To put it in short, the D.L.D.E.S. concept actually applies the encryption key to create the encryption process itself rather than apply the key to encrypt data.

This may be one of the reasons the application does not come cheap. The current price is of €29, quite an amount if you think that there are free solutions on the market possessing file-encryption capabilities, as well as entire drive-encryption abilities. However, there is an evaluation period for the software of 30 days, so that you can test before you buy.

The installation of the application went smoothly, although, to be frank, I haven't seen a full-screen installer for a long time. Judging strictly by LockFiler's interface and by the warning message at the end of the installation procedure, it seems like the code has not been adapted to the new OS trends on the market, Vista, and especially Windows 7. The message popping up after the installation gives indications on how to make the program run under Vista (change the compatibility mode), although we did not make the switch. There is no say about Windows 7, but I can assure you that LockFiler supports it.

Its looks are XP-specific, meaning that there is no shine in the interface (actually the screen border and the title bar are not at all affected by the Aero theme). But aesthetics should be the least concern in such a piece of software, as data protection prevails.

As soon as the installation process is complete, LockFiler starts up the configuration wizard to choose between the two modes available (Simple and Advanced), define the access password and authentication code necessary for getting to the application's tools and functions, as well as configure the program to work as it best suits you.

The next step is the vault-creation wizard. A vault is, in fact, a folder created either locally (although network locations work to the same effect) or remotely (FTP location), which contains your files securely. We tested the application by choosing only the “Create Local Vault” option, because creating a remote one, in an FTP location, did not work. This comes as a drawback for some users, as FTP allows access to computers anywhere, regardless of their location.

Creating a vault is quite a simple procedure, and all you have to do is follow the steps of the wizard, as well as the explanations offered in each screen, in order to better understand the process. With LockFiler, you can make two types of vaults: a normal one that is visible in the application, or an “untraceable” one, which does not appear in the list of vaults. This does not mean that it cannot be located, as the folder is perfectly seeable in its location on the hard disk (as long as you know the path).

The interface of LockFiler is simple, both in looks and the level of difficulty. All basic options (starting the wizard for creating a vault, removing one, file securing, restoration or removal) are in plain sight, so you won't have to feel your way around. But there is more to the eye than the main application window, in the File and Tools menus.

One important option is the “Mail File,” which can be configured under the Tools menu and that allows you to send encrypted data directly from the application. Setting this up requires a POP3 server, login credentials and your email address. The connection will be automatically verified by sending an email to your address. The option works like a charm if you have the correct credentials and type in the right POP3 server name.

For the recipient to be able to decode encrypted emailed data, the LockFiler's developer makes available on its website (http://www.lockfiler.com/gr/) a free-of-charge file-decoding tool, simply named Decoder. Its purpose is to allow users that do not have LockFiler installed on the system to decrypt data. The downside during our testing was that the application did not work and, at each decoding attempt, the “Not_LockFiler_Data or Data_Corrupted” message popped. On the other hand, putting LockFiler to the same challenge ended with a 100% success rate.

The beauty of LockFiler is that you can protect your files with up to three different passwords. You can set one for accessing the application, one for accessing the vault and one when you secure a file. Additionally, the program can be locked at will with absolutely any password you want, at any time. For this to work, you need to lock the software manually from the system-tray icon. Combine all this with the patented D.L.D.E.S., and you've got yourself a FortKnox to keep your files in.

Slightly on the downside, all these passwords will only protect against opening the files stored in the vaults. This does not defend against losing the entire folder due to accidental deletion or, worse, hardware failure.

Testing the software revealed that not all of its options worked like a dream. Enabling or disabling some of them leads to the same non-compliance effect. The LockFiler Options menu, though not extremely rich, gathers some great alternatives, such as requesting for a password the moment you decide to secure a file (which is listed twice), or for removing a vault or file. As far as these examples are concerned, the application fails to deliver. Such cases are not the only ones, as enabling the password request for copying or moving a file or for switching the working mode between Simple and Advanced is also to no effect.

Another issue would be the fact that you cannot restore a file unless it is included in a vault. So, copying/moving data outside a vault would require reversing the operation in order to restore it. The good news is that the application lets you open the files inside the safe without restoring them to a different location, by using the “Open file” function under the File menu.

LockFiler is absolutely terrific at encrypting the data. The number of passwords with which you can protect the access to a secure file is absolutely amazing. And working with it is quite simple. The options present in the program also contribute to the value of the software, but represent a push back at the same time, as they are not working properly.

The Good

The encryption system used by LockFiler is fantastic and the protection level for the secured data is one of the most elaborate out there. The files can be protected individually with passwords, making it quite tough to get to them.

Files can be opened directly from the application, without the need to restore them to a different location, and, once LockFiler is closed, the decoded copy will be automatically removed.

The Bad

Looks are important these days, and, with the new standards imposed by the freshly launched operating system from Microsoft, a change in LockFiler's aesthetics is desirable.

As important as the visual impression is in any software, it can be overlooked for an application like this one. But not the same can be said about the non-working options in the software.

Creating a vault in a remote location accessible via FTP did not work in our case.

The Truth

Even if the security of your files is the primary function of LockFiler, the options it makes available are equally important. LockFiler provides a great set of settings, but, unfortunately, not all of them work as supposed or expected to.

The interface needs a new look, adapted to the new standards imposed by the latest operating systems, but this is the least important aspect. As far as the protection of your data goes, LockFiler is the software to do it.

Check out the application in action: