Encryption Software

[BobH]

I have recently found the need to encrypt some files (has to do with preserving intellectual property ownership). I have not done any file encryption. For those who do, what do I need to know about encryption technology, applications that will encrypt (presumably using keys), keys and key management?

[HansV]

If you have Windows 7 Pro or Ultimate (or the Windows 8/8.1 equivalent), you can use EFS (Encrypting File System) to encrypt files and folders.

If you want to encrypt Word documents, Excel workbooks or PowerPoint presentations, you can use the encryption methods built into the Office applications.

You can encrypt any file by storing it in an encrypted zip file. You can use WinZip (commercial) or 7-Zip (free) for this, for example.

Also see How to Encrypt Files on Windows for an overview.

[Rudi]

I can vouch for 7-zip.
I use it extensively for compression purposes, but I do have files I store in a specific encrypted archive.
One cannot access any file in this archive without the archive password.

[John Gray]

If you want to encrypt files, rather than folders, I suggest Axcrypt.
For complicated folder and file structures, I would still go for Truecrypt v7.1a. You can mount the Truecrypt 'container' as a drive letter.

[StuartR]

I still use Truecrypt v7.1a

I assume that it no longer provides protection against government agencies, but that's not what I'm worried about.

[Rudi]

A recent interesting article from How-To-Geek!

[StuartR]

I have now migrated all my TrueCrypt containers and partitions to VeraCrypt

So far it seems very good. It has all the features of TrueCrypt and a very similar user interface. It takes a bit longer to mount, but that is because of significantly improved security.

[Rudi]

Excellent...TX for bringing this to our attention.
I will be doing the same in the next few days!