14 DAY TRIAL // File protection has always been an issue and computer users try to keep the folders on their computers as safe as possible. This is getting problematic when a single computer has several users and no accounts are created. And even with accounts there are several methods to what the other users have in the "storage room".
The need to keep the files as hidden as possible drove certain software developers into creating small programs designed to prevent them being accessed by unauthorized users. Such a software comes from PC-Safety and costs $29.95. Of course, a trial period is provided and its limit is thirty days, so there is plenty of time to test the application, especially since it has no other restriction. The installer comes in an easy to store 737KB archive.
After installing it, the user will be prompted with a password screen that enables the user to assign a password for the administrator. The countersign can be used to encrypt the desired files. The principle guiding this application is simple. You add the files and press the "Lock Files" button in the toolbar. This is all you have to do and your files are encrypted. No more archiving and applying passwords to the compression or other types of time eating methods.
At a first glance, the files protected with Advanced File Vault do not look any different than the original. But if you take a look at the properties folder and peek at the size, you will notice a slight difference: the encrypted files are a little larger then the original. But once you have them locked who is going to know the size of the original.
What impressed me was the fact that the extension association was preserved and they looked normal. But when trying to open them an error message will be displayed saying that the file header cannot be read and that the format is unknown to the associated application.
Besides encrypting the files, which may result in deleting them by someone that suddenly decides to clean your computer of junk, the software can also hide them. One would say that this can be achieved by using Total Commander or by modifying the attributes of the files. That is true, but Advanced File Vault will ensconce the files so good that you will not be able to view them without the program.
In order to view the hidden files all there is to do is to go to the View menu and choose Hidden Files option. I have to warn you about the password as if you forget it you will no longer be able to recover the files.
The tool bar contains all the buttons you need in order to lock/unlock, hide or show the files. The password must not be longer than eight characters. If the right click option on the file is enabled you will be able to open the file directly from Advanced File Vault in case you forgot what it is about and Display File Information option will give you the status of the file (locked/unlocked, hidden or not). The status of the item is also shown by the state of the little icon in the status field (the lock and the vault).
For clearing the list of locked files it is enough to go in the File menu and choose Clear List option. The only thing left is to remember all the items that are encrypted with this software.
The Good
The application is extremely easy to use and the results are pretty good. It leaves no traces that the certain information on your computer may be locked with some software.
The Bad
I never liked writing in this section of the review, but here it goes. The software does not have a launch password and the administrator password can be changed by anyone once the admin is logged in and away from the computer. Also, if the admin is away, anyone can lock some files and use whatever password.
So a self lock timer would have been great and would have added a lot to its value and functionality.
The Truth
At the beginning, I did not want to review this software as a similar application has already been reviewed (Advanced File Lock). The developers are different, their websites are different, and yet, there is a connection. The two softwares are similar, but some small details make the difference. Although Advanced File Vault is a little "younger" it has been equipped with the Hide function and has an extended trial period. Other than that, everything is the same. Even the price and the icon are the same.
Here are some snapshots of the application in action:
