Best encryption software of 2024
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Best encryption software tools
1.AxCrypt2.Folder Lock3.CryptoExpert4.CertainSafe5.VeraCrypt
1. Ax Crypt
Encryption for small teams and individuals
Strong encryption for personal use Free version available Mainly mobile-oriented
While
free software can be convenient for some, it’s not always as powerful
as premium offerings, and Ax Crypt is a good bet if you want something
reliable. The software has been designed specifically for individuals
and small teams within businesses.
It provides strong security,
with files protected by either 128-bit or 256-bit AES encryption, which
should thwart any intruders. There are also cloud storage capabilities
thrown into the mix – the software will automatically protect files
saved on services such as Google Drive and Dropbox.
AxCrypt is
fully multilingual, and it can work with languages such as Dutch,
French, German, Italian, Korean, Spanish, Swedish, Russian and
Portuguese – with more support planned for the future. As well as this,
there’s passport management, and you can access your encrypted files
through a smartphone app.
The Premium package is $42 per year and
there's a business version with extra admin features available for $87
per year. There is a free version but it's very limited and perhaps best
thought of as a way to trial the software and help become used to the
interface and basic functions.
2. Folder Lock
Effective encryption for individuals
Free to download basic version Effective personal encryption Mainly mobile oriented
Although
it’s important to protect assets on company computers, it’s also
crucial to add protection to any device that stores critical data. For
instance, most employees have access to their company emails and other
accounts on their smartphones, and they need to be protected.
Folder
Lock is a good option when it comes to adding encryption to your mobile
devices. The app can protect your personal files, photos, videos,
contacts, wallet cards, notes and audio recordings stored in your
handset.
There are some other hidden security features, too. Not
only is there encryption, but you can also set a decoy password, hacker
deterrents, log unauthorised login attempts, back up all your passwords
and get notified on potential brute-force attacks.
The basic
app is free to download, with a pro version available for a one-time fee
of $39.95 which opens up more advanced and useful security features.
3. Crypto Expert
Powerful protection indeed
Uses multiple encryption methods Powerful encryption It may be too complicated for some Windows-only
Crypto Expert
is Windows desktop software which offers secure data vaults for all
your data, ensuring it’s always protected from potential breaches.
It
provides more powerful encryption than some of the other tools and apps
listed in this article, boasting fast on-the-fly operation. The system
can back up a range of different files, including certificates, Word,
Excel and PowerPoint files, multimedia files and email databases.
The
best thing about CryptoExpert 8 is that it can secure vaults of
unlimited size, and it uses Blowfish, Cast, 3DES and AES-256 encryption
algorithms. The latter are highly effective and industry-acclaimed.
It’ll work with 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7, 8 and 10.
4. Certain Safe
A quality cloud-based solution
Completely cloud-based Affordable monthly plan Not everyone wants cloud-based security
Certain Safe
is highly effective cloud-based encryption software which attempts to
mitigate all aspects of risk and is compliant with industry regulations.
With
the platform, you can store and share documents, private messages,
photos, videos and other files without exposing them to third-party
sources. You can even collaborate and communicate with colleagues
through the system, with all correspondence encrypted.
Certain Safe
also adds automated security for business databases and applications,
meaning you don’t always have to do things manually.
5. Vera Crypt
Free encryption for everyone
Basic version is completely free Provides effective encryption Selective approach Initial download is a bit confusing
Vera Crypt is one of the most popular security tools, providing you with enterprise-grade encryption for important data.
The
system is quite easy to use, and all it really does is add encrypted
passwords to your data and partitions. All you have to do is give the
tool a few details about your data, such as volume size, location and
specified hashing algorithms – and then the program does its thing.
What’s
also nifty about VeraCrypt is that it’s immune to brute-force attacks,
so you never have to worry about hackers decrypting your passwords and
other sensitive data. The basic version of the software is completely
free, as well.
Other Encryption Software to consider
Secure
IT 2000 is a file encryption program that also compresses your files.
This means that it may take a little longer than some other programs,
but it does mean your files are potentially more manageable after. A
master password is required to access any files, which can be a little
limiting if you'd prefer to have different passwords for different
files, not least if you're looking to share some of them with family
and/or friends.
Concealer is a file encryption program
specifically for Apple Mac computers. Rather than encrypt all files on
your harddrive, instead it provides an encrypted area for you to drag
files into - which means you need to ensure you delete the original copy
so as to avoid having both encrypted and non-encrypted versions on your
harddrive. You can also choose your preferred encryption strength as
128 or 256-bit.
Renee File Protector is another piece of file
encryption software for Windows, but this one allows you to have
different passwords for different files or folders, effectively creating
multiple security levels. Alternatively, you can just stick with a
master password if required. And if you forget any of your passwords,
Renee File Protector can provide prompts to allow you to recover them,
which is handy.
Sensi Guard doesn't just encrypt your files and
folders, it also hides them so that they will remain hidden from
unauthorized users, which is a potentially useful feature. Additionally,
you can also securely shred files, which means that it's even harder
for hackers to locate any sensitive files on your hard drive that you've
already encrypted, or deleted.