How often you are worried about sensitive files on your system? Even though there are many ways of protecting files and folders using passwords, hiding them etc, still if you can encrypt them with a certain level of encryption, then it gets protected and secure. Even if you lose them, your data will be protected as no one will be able to open them or use them.
Today we will talk about Cryptainer which does the job for you quite efficiently.
Features : (By developer Description)
Real Time File and Folder Protection
Cryptainer LE’s high-security “On the Fly” disk encryption technology ensures that your data is safe at all times even when you are surfing the net. Simply drag and drop to encrypt.Fast Encryption
Cryptainer LE is fast! You will barely notice the difference in speed as compared to a regular “Copy Paste” function.Secure Email
The Secure Email module allows for the creation of self extracting encrypted files. The recipient need not have Cryptainer LE installed to decrypt the files, all that is required is the password.No Format Limitations
Cryptainer LE encrypts every kind of file format, whether it is textual, tabular, graphical, organized in a database, audio or video.Storage Flexibility
Cryptainer LE can create volume files on removable media. This allows for the flexibility to store and port data on removable media like Zip disks, tape drives, removable drives (Flash Disks, USB drives, pen drives etc.). It also allows users to password protect files and folders on CD ROMs, DVD’s etc.Windows Compatibility
Cryptainer LE works with all 32 bit as well as 64 bit versions of Microsoft Windows including Windows 95/98/ME/2000/2003 Server/XP/Vista/ Windows 7 as well as MS Windows supported file systems like FAT, FAT12, FAT32, NTFS, NTFS with EFS, etc.Ghost Drive
When you start Cryptainer LE, the virtual drive will appear as a drive (like E: or F:) in your “My Computer” folder within Windows Explorer. You can even view it through the MS-DOS prompt. Once unloaded, the drive disappears.Standard Windows Functions
Cut, copy, paste, new file/folder creation, etc., can be used within the encrypted drive.Customized, Easy to Remember Passwords
Your passphrase can be an alphanumeric combination of up to 100 characters; hence you can use long phrases that are easier to remember.
INSTALLATION Â AND USAGE
The installation was smooth just like any other windows application. No Adaware was included in the free version.  When you are finished installing it, you are greeted with a “Specify cryptainer container Volume details“. You need to specify details like the location, size and password for your Folder/volume which will be created. Choose a location which you  can remember instead of default location.
You can choose the level of encryption either as Blowfish or AES.  If you are not sure what to choose then let the default value stay. This Free version has a limitation of maximum size of 100 MB. So you should choose a size of less than or equal to 100 MB.
After you are finished with above, and click on proceed to create Volume, a additional Volume/ Hard disk partition is shown in your windows explorer with the name you just choose above.
Now whatever files you put in that Encrypted volume, they automatically get encrypted with blowfish encryption (if selected while creating volume). You need not do anything special.
You can mount or unmount that volume from the taskbar Cryptainer icon just with a Right click of your mouse.
It also provides you a working window which you can use to view the encrypted Volume, files or folders etc. Also, you can use it to encrypt individual files etc just in a click. Also, you can create any number of encrypted volumes for your use. Just keep in mind, It will ask for a password whenever you want to mount any encrypted Volume.
Apart from a small limitation of 100 MB, this is a excellent tool to protect your files, folders and sensitive data from prying eyes. Give it a try and share your feedback with us.
Ashwin
September 24, 2010 @ 2:56 PM
Thanks for the detailed post and screenshots :)Their support page is very informativehttp://www.cypherix.com/faqs/faqs_prods.htmApparently the passwords are irrecoverable, if we forget it, then all data stored on the encrypted drive would be lost too. And even if we uninstall Cryptainer, the encypted data would stay intact, but will only be accessible if Cryptainer is installed.Looks like a solid piece of protection for secret docs, hack-proof 🙂 We can recover deleted files from a cryptainer drive, if we use a recovery software, unless the files were shredded
Grr
September 25, 2010 @ 12:55 PM
Thanks Avi. looks solid.
Thanks,
Grr