Here is the list of best free file and folder lockers or protector for windows 7/8/XP PC Lock folders with Passwords free. software download to hide, encrypt 64/32/86 Bit. To encrypt files, you simply drag and drop them into Folder Lock, but you can also right click on the file you want to encrypt and see an option to secure it using Folder Lock. It took less than six seconds for the program to scramble our test files.
When you're saving sensitive files on your computer meant for your eyes only, make sure you've got the right tools on hand to keep them private. Whether you want to shield your brilliant startup business plan from the Pointy Haired Boss, or hide your stash of Gillian Anderson photos from the kids, there are several free tools that can encrypt, password-protect, or obscure files and folders from others who might use your computer. Let's take a look at various methods, tools, and levels of privacy and security you can use to lock up your sensitive data.
TrueCrypt Encrypts Entire Volumes or Just Folders
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The strongest and most bulletproof consumer encryption tool out there is the free, cross-platform, open source TrueCrypt. TrueCrypt requires more setup and elbow grease than other, lesser-secure options, but your efforts buy you Top Secret government file-level security and encryption, the kind that even the FBI agents who break into your house on a surprise sting will have trouble cracking if you manage to close the container before they get to you. (We say this for illustrative purposes, in the hope that you're not reading this to find out how to dodge FBI agents.)
Here's how to encrypt entire disks or subsets of files and folders with TrueCrypt.
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Geek to Live: Encrypt your data
by Gina Trapani
Read more ReadEncrypt Passwords (and Files!) with KeePass
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To secure a list of passwords or software serial numbers, look no further than KeePass Password Safe, an encrypted database that will lock up your sensitive logins tight as a drum. A lesser-known KeePass feature lets you attach files to database entries, which means you can also use it to lock up data as well (though this works best for files associated with various KeePass entries).
Here's more on how to securely track your passwords (and files) with KeePass.
Geek to Live: Securely track your passwords
by Gina Trapani
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Hide or Password-Protect Files and Folders with Free Utilities
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Several Windows utilities offer ways to assign a password to a folder full of files, or just plain text files. Here's a sampling:
- 7-Zip: Primarily an archiving, zip utility, the free 7-Zip offers a handy feature for the privacy-minded: the ability to password an archive you create with it. Keep in mind that others can browse file and folder name listings in passworded archives, but the password is required to extract them.
- My LockBox (original post): It won't stop someone from finding your files by booting up a Linux live CD, for example, but for a simple way to assign a password to a folder, My LockBox gets the job done.
- Free Hide Folder 2.0 (original post): Similar to My Lockbox in that it's low-level protection, Free Hide Folder does a bit more than just checking off the 'Hidden' box in Windows' file Properties dialog.
- fSekrit (original post): Turn your secret plain text file into a password-protected .exe file with fSekrit, which is small enough to fit snugly on your USB thumb drive.
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Mac users, it's very simple for you to create an encrypted disk image with Disk Utility.
How to create a Mac encrypted disk image
Speaking of file encryption, the Hackszine blog walks you through the steps of encrypting a Mac…
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Embed Data Inside Innocent-Looking Files with Steganography
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If you want to transmit private data via email or embed a password somewhere most people wouldn't dream of looking, you want to try out steganography. A kind of digital invisible ink, stego uses the big mass of bits that make up digital files to obscure private data—so only those with the proper decoder can see it.
Check out our full guide to hiding data in files with easy steganography tools.
Geek to Live: Hide data in files with easy steganography tools
by Gina TrapaniPhoto by Robbie Gates used with permission
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Installation-Free Privacy Through Obscurity
If you can't install any special tools on the computer where you'd like to hide files, there are a few low-security Windows tweaks that can help you keep folders out of unwanted hands. You can always hide folders and files inside Windows by checking off that box in the Properties dialog (and making sure that 'Show hidden files' isn't enabled in Windows Explorer), but to take things a step further, see how Lifehacker reader Sean uses a blank folder name to hide secret files.
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Make a Folder Invisible
Windows user Sean has a unique trick for hiding a folder in Windows—literally. By giving a file…
Read more Readhttps://tookeen900.weebly.com/best-dvd-software-for-mac.html. As commenters in the original post point out, this is NOT a high-security tact, it's just enough to keep casual computer browsers from finding your stuff.
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What are your favorite methods and tools for hiding private files? Tell us about 'em in the comments.
Gina Trapani, the editor of Lifehacker, likes to keep some folders and files to herself. Her weekly feature, Geek to Live, appears every Monday on Lifehacker. Subscribe to the Geek to Live feed to get new installments in your newsreader.
Best Free Folder Lock
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Best Software For Mac
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Folder Lock 7 is encryption software that you can trust to protect your files and data. This program uses the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256-bit key, which is the same level of protection used by governments when classifying information, and required by banks when sending or receiving any information about their customers. Folder Lock also offers extra security features, like file shredding and stealth mode, which makes it our top choice for encryption software.
During our in-house tests of encryption software, Folder Lock was the fastest at encrypting data and deciphering. We started with 63 files that totaled 128MB, and Folder Lock took less than six seconds to scramble and lock up all those files. This equates to only a few minutes to secure gigs of data, so you won’t spend too much time waiting at your computer.
We also evaluated how easy it is to use the software. Folder Lock is simple for each step of the encryption process, but is also easy to use for locking and hiding files. You can secure files by either searching for the saved files from the Folder Lock dashboard, dragging and dropping files into Folder Lock, or by right clicking on the file from your desktop. The same prompts and process is there regardless of which method you use. You can lock and hide files at the same time. This is a great way to ensure your privacy because the files won’t be visible to anyone who gets a peek at your hard drive.
Folder Lock lets you create lockers, which are secure folders that give you another layer of protection for your encrypted and hidden files. But you can also use these lockers for backing up your computer. Lockers can be uploaded to Folder Lock’s secure cloud storage, though it costs extra to use this service. You can also store these lockers on a USB drive or on another cloud service, including a free service like Google Drive or Dropbox. What is the best firewire audio interface for mac os. You may want to check out our sister site’s recommendations for online storage services.
As you encrypt and secure your files, Folder Lock has you create passwords for each one, in addition to the master password that gets you into the program to begin with. Folder Lock lets you know if your password is strong enough and encourages you to saves these passwords somewhere secure so you can remember them later. However, if you do forget a password, Folder Lock has a password recovery prompt so you don’t lose access to your files permanently. The only tool the software doesn’t have is a password generator that creates complex passwords that are difficult for hackers or internet snoops to figure out. Most programs we tested don’t have this feature, but if you feel you need it you can check out Kruptos 2.
When you’re done with any file, you can use the shredder to completely erase any sign that it ever existed. Otherwise, not only will it be placed in your recycle bin for others to see, but simply deleting the files still leaves traces behind that could be found and used by snoops.
Freeware Folder Lock Software
One more security feature Folder Lock includes is its stealth mode. This covers up any digital footprints left behind when you work on a computer. Using stealth mode ensures anyone else who uses your computer can’t see that you use encryption software. Game controller for mac best buy.
Best Free Mac Software
Folder Lock is the fastest and easiest encryption program to use. It uses the highest-level encryption key and offers numerous ways to protect your files beyond encryption, including file hiding, file shredding, password help and stealth mode.