Full disk encryption freeware

These attacks can be prevented with full disk encryption. But, what is full disk encryption FDE? Of course, the first option is inputting user credentials and opening up the laptop as normal. The other option, such as in the case of laptop theft or a similar event, requires that the drive is unlocked via a complex recovery key if the password is not available. Of course, the hope is that the thief will not know either the password or the recovery key, so therefore the data would be inaccessible.

While it certainly has its benefits, full disk encryption is not as widely used as you would think it should be. In IT especially, enterprise implementations of FDE are proving to be a more difficult task than some sysadmins feel is worth. 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. The basic version of the software is completely free, as well.

Read our full VeraCrypt review. Secure IT from Cypherix 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. Secure IT offers file and folder encryption, compression and file shredding all in one with command line processing and secure emails.

It runs on all versions of Windows bit as well as bit. 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 or 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. SensiGuard 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 harddrive that you've already encrypted, or deleted.

We've featured the best business VPN. Brian has over 30 years publishing experience as a writer and editor across a range of computing and technology titles, and has been interviewed multiple times for BBC News and BBC Radio. He is also a science fiction and fantasy author, writing as Brian G Turner.

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