Much of the files that you store mostly on your computer or the electronic devices that you use every day, contain private information, both personally and professionally, that you do not want to end up in the wrong hands, under any circumstances. In this sense, the main method that exists to keep your documents safe and prevent someone from accessing them , is file encryption . Which is estimated as one of the safest and most effective ways to protect your files and folders .
For its part, this technique consists of taking different data and creating a kind of shell or shell, so that, they become inaccessible for most people who have the clear intention of usurping them . Given that such information, can only be unlocked with a default password that of course, you put. That is why, the encryption or encryption of documents is considered absolutely essential at present, so as not to have the possibility of losing those folders that you consider most necessary for your personal or professional life, and They could even put you in danger if someone accesses them .
The data with the highest number of encryption of a natural person, usually email addresses, bank transfers, etc. Now, of a company, they are commonly the transactions made to certain clients, data and documents of importance to the company, etc. Thus, it is possible to perform data encryption on Windows computers , on Mac and even to protect documents on Android and iOS devices . This, we will explain to you below, letting you know the best software available to encrypt files .
Index:
List of best software to encrypt files in Windows 10
Currently, the new version 10 of Windows is one of the most used worldwide, so we have prepared a list with the most optimal programs to encrypt documents on computers that contain it . Best of all, you can use them for free and with total security.
AceroDocs
If you have had problems with your company’s GDPR, Acerodocs is an all-in-one solution of the highest level. To begin, uses IRM technology that covers the basic requirements of the aforementioned permit; data management, activity control over these and information encryption. Thanks to this, you can mitigate risk during company impact assessments .
Acerodocs goes far beyond the conventional and not only sells you an encryption technology, but also the most complete software to secure your information and in addition to being able to manage it to have total control of it . With the company’s method you can be sure that your data will be protected even while it is transferred to another device or to the cloud itself.
It is used by thousands of leading companies in their sector to organize the information that is shared between their employees and different departments, which makes it an important element of the organizational organizational chart of the corporation, especially as regards Information flow refers to .
In its interface you will find an insight section where you can see precise statistics of each of the files you have protected, some of these are the number of views, number of downloads and even the times that a user tried to perform an action for which you did not have permissions , identifying this one at once.
Acerodocs offers a free unlimited version of encrypted files per month regardless of their format, and their remote protection. For more advanced features are the Premium and Enterprice plans that fit the needs of each user.
They have also implemented a mobile app for both Android and iOS devices, then we leave the links for you to download and you can try them:
Gpg4win
It is one of the best free alternatives that exist for Windows 10 when it comes to encrypting documents. Thus, all files , folders and emails that you want to share, will be fully protected thanks to the optimal levels of encryption and digital signatures that Gpg4win exhibits . These digital signatures, ensure that the content is not corrected and comes from a secure sender; while encryption, it is the one that protects the content from improper access.
The great integrity of this software is ratified, which has been developed in conjunction with the German Federal Office for Information Security or BSI. In addition, Gpg4win presents the ability to support cryptographic standards such as OpenPGP and S / MIME (X.509) .
It should be noted that during its installation process, it is essential that you make sure activate the GPA box , which by default is not activated. Then, once you have it installed, you can create certificates quickly and safely .
In addition to this, we inform you about some of the most relevant components of this application:
- GnuPG : The official encryption tool.
- Kleopatra : The manager of the OpenPGP and X.509 certificates (S / MIME).
- GpgOL : An add-in for Microsoft Outlook, which allows encryption of emails.
- GPA : A certificate manager for OpenPGP and X.509 (S / MIME).
- GpgEX : An add-on for Microsoft Explorer.
AES Crypt
It is a program available for several operating systems and Windows is one of them. This, uses the 256-bit AES secure encryption standard and provides the possibility to protect your documents, without the requirement of prior knowledge about cryptography.
For its part, AES Crypt is one of the most used, thanks to its simple and efficient operation , which includes advanced options to ensure the most optimal encryption and also decrypt from the Windows command line . Thus, it is only necessary to click on the file that you wish to encrypt and then, with the right mouse button, select the option “AES Encrypt” and then enter the password with which you want to protect the document.
For its part, this software generates a file with extension .aes but does not delete the original file. Therefore, it is valuable that you do not forget the password used, since it would be very difficult to recover the original file again, in case of deleting it.
Camouflage
It is a veteran software in file encryption . When you use Camouflage, you not only protect the file or folder with a password, but also hide it, so that it looks like an innocent photograph , instead of a relevant document. In this way, a normal user when opening the file, will only be able to observe that photo, while you or any person you decide, can recover with this program the private file, through the corresponding password .
Although it has not been updated for a long time , so far it continues to work as the first time and also, it is estimated as an original and different way to protect various confidential data .
7-ZIP
It is a tool that offers different contributions and is not only responsible for encrypt files saved on your computer. In other words, 7-ZIP is a document compressor and decompressor that provides the ability to encrypt the data you want , when using the 256-bit AES standard >.
Which means that with this software, you will have two tools in one. Thus, compressing and decompressing files, as well as making use of software that can encrypt files containing private information, with complete security .
In short, 7-ZIP works as one more layer of security that prevents other people from accessing your data. Being one of the most recommended programs for Windows 10 .
Veracrypt
This is one of the most popular options for encrypting documents , being a TrueCrypt successor software, which was considered one of the most optimal systems for encrypting files. In this sense, it is an open source application that can be installed on any version of Windows and other operating systems.
It is ratified that through Veracrypt, you will add an extremely powerful security level to your units , by making them immune from attacks whose main objective is to crack passwords .
If you use Veracrypt, you have the possibility to create a virtual encrypted disk inside a file that is extended as a real drive . Like fully encrypting an external or internal drive, enjoy an automatic and transparent encryption process , and finally, use five levels of encryption that this program allows.
Fort File Encryption
It allows any Windows user to protect their most important files stored on their computer. Thus, Fort File Encryption offers three main encryption alternatives that can encrypt the entire hard drive at the same time.
In addition, enshrines the possibility of creating a kind of container where everything will be encrypted , if you save it there. However, if you prefer to protect documents and folders individually, this software also allows you to do so.
Therefore, it is a program capable of adapting to the requirements of each of its users , without wasting time. Which uses the 256-bit AES encryption standard and thus provides great immunity. Also taking into account that, does not limit the size of the file to be encrypted; for greater benefit .
List of the best folder encryption tools on Mac
Now we go with the software specialized in computers and operating systems of Apple, there are many more options but we have selected in our opinion the best and most used by users, which gives a plus of confidence when having new updates.
Encryption Budy
It is one of the most used options by MacOS users to encrypt with password, any type of file or complete folder.
As for its operation, it is to drag the file you want to encrypt and drop it in the encryption icon . That way, the application will automatically calculate, if you want to encrypt it or if on the contrary, you want to decrypt it .
Added to this, it offers an option that allows to save a password suggestion in each of the documents , in order to avoid forgetting it and losing it completely. So it has the most appropriate features for file encryption in a simple and intuitive way.
MacFort
This alternative uses 128 or 256-bit encryption , as with the Mac disk utility mechanism. Thus, it manages to perfectly protect both individual files and complete folders , associated documents and applications . Promising that your files will be totally inaccessible to third parties who do not know the password to enter them.
MacFort is one of the safest programs , since for example, in case your Mac is stolen, there will be no possibility that another person can access those documents, not even those people who may have some knowledge on how to decrypt files.
DocWallet
This is a free program that works perfectly to protect all your documents stored on a Mac . Bearing in mind that the encryption you use, is end to end and so, your data will be clearly secure.
On the other hand, DocWallet allows secure sending and management of confidential information via the web . Like secure synchronization of documents and folders, and compatibility with various formats. Offering greater versatility to its users.
Encrypto
It is an application created by CleanMyMac for the encryption of files and documents on Mac. Which, uses AES 256 encryption and gives the possibility to share them later with your contacts with total security.
As for its interface, the software is very simple , since all you have to do is drag the document to be encrypted and put a key that you should not forget >.
For its part, it is a free application that gives excellent functions to its users. Taking into account that in Encrypto, it is possible to attach a small hint about the password you once placed , for example, it may be a common term between the two people who share the file. To do so, do not have so many inconveniences if you forget it.
List of the best apps to protect documents on Android and iOS
We go on to list those applications that stand out in the Play Store for Android as well as in the APP Store for iPhone devices, as in everything, there are many apps but the ones described here perfectly fulfill the task we are counting.
AxCrypt
In addition to having a web version, is recommended for Smartphone , being devices that many softwares do not currently take into account. So you can encrypt all the files you want on your Android or iOS device .
AxCrypt has a completely free 30-day trial period , so you will then be asked to buy the program or, failing that, stop using it.
For its part, it is a program designed for individuals, as well as for small businesses. Since is aimed primarily at small teams that need to protect relevant information . Thus, one of its most notable features is the number of languages in which it can be used , since it covers from Spanish and English, to Korean and Japanese, without any obstacles.