Encryption software encrypts and decrypts data in the form of files, removable media, emails messages or packets sent over computer networks. File encryption is a form of disk encryption where individual files/directories are encrypted by the file system itself. The software executes an algorithm that is designed to encrypt data in a way that it cannot be recovered without a key. Encryption is an important part of computer communication and file protection in modern times. Such software are mainly used to protect sensitive data from third parties.
May 07, 2019 The author did state 2 encrypting programs that DO NOT need the encryption software installed on source/target machines. #5 “LaCie Private-Public” and #6 “Kakasoft USB Security” “LaCie Private-Public” is the better choice because it’s cross platform, (Windows-Mac), and you can easily move files between the two OS’s. Apr 24, 2020 You need to invest in encryption software if it is a requirement for your type of usage. Here are the top 5 best encryption software for Mac in 2020. Check out which one works for your needs. Why Need to Encrypt Mac Files? Apple’s Encryption Software for Mac for free Part 3. The Best Encryption Software for Mac in 2020 Part 4. Jul 29, 2015 Free open source on-the-fly encryption software. July 29, 2015 by admin. Free open-source disk encryption software for Windows 7/Vista/XP, Mac OS X, and Linux. AxCrypt is a free, open source, GNU GPL-licensed encryption tool for Windows that prides itself on being simple, efficient, and easy to use. It integrates nicely with the Windows shell, so you can.
1. GNU Privacy Guard
GnuPG is a freeware that allows you to encrypt and sign your data and communication. Also known as GPG, it is a command line tool with features that facilitate easy integration with other appliances. A large amount of fronted applications and libraries are available, and v2 of GPG also provides support for S/MIME. Version 1.4.13 is the well-knows and portable standalone version, and version 2.0.20 is the enhanced and harder-to-build version. The Windows version of GnuPG is well integreated into an installer and features many fronted, English and German manuals.
Our Rating:
Pros: Multi-platform. Best encryption freeware with all features an encryption software is expected to have.
Cons: None
OS: Windows 8, Windows 7 (32bit and 64bit), Windows XP/Vista, Mac, Linux.
2. TrueCrypt
TrueCrypt is a freeware application that is used for on-the-fly encryption or OTFE. It creates a virtual encrypted disk within a file, or encrypts a partition or the entire storage device. TrueCrypt supports individual algorithms such as AES, Serpent and Twofish. Five different combinations of cascaded algorithms are also available. The cryptographic hash functions that TrueCrypt uses are RIPEMD-160, SHA-512 and Whirlpool. This application supports parallelized encryption for multi-core systems and pipelined read/write operations. On newer processors, TrueCrypt supports hardware-accelerated AES to further improve performance.
OS: Windows 8, Windows 7 64-bit and 32-bit, XP and Vista, Mac, Linux
3. AxCrypt
AxCrypt is a freeware is a software application designed for encryption and decryption of files. It uses an AES algorithm with a key length of 128 bits. AxCrypt creates an archive that contains additional metadata along with the encrypted data file. The original file is deleted after encryption. Currently, it is available in English, German, Spanish, French, Hungarian, Italian and Swedish. The application also has a built in file shredder. The freeware is a good complement to services like Dropbox, Live Mesh, SkyDrive, Box.net etc.
Our Rating:
Pros: Simple and easy encryption and decryption. Simple handling with right click context menu.
Cons: Multi-platform unsupported.
OS: Windows 98/2000/ME/XP/Vista/7-32bit and 64bit/8-32bit and 64bit, Android 1.6+
4. 7-zip
7-Zip is an open source file archiver which operates with the 7z archive format. It can also read and write many other archive formats, and can be used from a command line interface, graphical user interface or with window-based shell integration. 7-Zip won the SourceForge.net 2007 community choice award for “Technical Design” and “Best Project”. By default each archive created can contain multiple directories and files. Security and size reduction is achieved using a stacked combination of filters such as pre-processors, compression algorithms and encryption filters. The most commonly used algorithms for this freeware are bzip2, LZMA2 and LZMA.
Open Source Encryption Software Mac Torrent
Our Rating:
Pros: Very simple and user-friendly. Fast and compact.
Cons: Multi-platform unsupported.
OS: Windows 8, Windows 7 32bit and 64bit, Windows XP, and Windows Vista
5. AES Crypt
AES Crypt is a freeware that uses the industry standard Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). Encryption/decryption is extremely simplified on this software, as it uses a powerful 256-bit encryption algorithm. The AES encryption algorithm is a ‘block cypher’, and since its adoption as a standard, it has become one of the world’s most popular encryption algorithms that uses symmetric keys for encryption and decryption. This means that the same key is used for both encrypting and decrypting data. AES Crypt is an open source software, and also has a compatible Android program known as ‘Crypt4All’.
Our Rating:
Pros: Available in both source and executable (binary) forms
Cons: Many users complain about download/installation problems
OS: Windows XP/Vista/7-32bit and 64bit /8-32bit and 64bit/Linux/Mac
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By Gina Barrow, Last updated: April 24, 2020
Encryption is the safest and best way to protect data as it encodes a certain file or information in such a way that only authorized users or those with passwords can access. Information including bank details, sensitive personal records should be encrypted to avoid data theft.
Computer operating systems have built-in encryption features but these provide easy to medium form of security and still prone to expert hackers. You need to invest in encryption software if it is a requirement for your type of usage. Here are the top 5 best encryption software for Macin 2020. Check out which one works for your needs.
Part 1. Why Need to Encrypt Mac Files?
All vital files stored inside a computer including Mac need to be encrypted for security purposes. If you happen to hear, watch, and read the news, there are reported cases of stolen identities and bank information due to unsecured files saved inside people’s stolen laptops and computers.
To avoid such hassle, you can rely on encryption software for Mac but the main concern here is what the best software to use is.
Part 2. Apple’s Encryption Software for Mac for free
If you are concerned about data privacy and your Mac contains sensitive information that must be kept personal, then you should use encryption. Apple has its own encryption software that users can utilize for free. There are actually different ways on how to encrypt files on Mac.
Encryption via Disk Utility
Use the spotlight search and type in Disk Utility. You can also go to Utilities under Applications.
Go to File on the topmost tools and hover to New Image then click on Image from Folder
Select the folder you wish to encrypt from the newly popped-up window
Rename the file you want to encrypt and go to the bottom part where you can set the encryption settings
You can choose between the 128 and the 256-bit. (The higher the encryption the better but it takes slower time to complete request)
Once you have selected your encryption method, you need to provide and verify your password. (Note: Remember your password because it will never grant you access to the given folder until the correct password is supplied). Click Choose.
For the Image format, you can choose compressed.
Wait until the encryption is completed.
This type of encryption affects the folder and its file contents so anytime you wish to open the folder and the files inside, you need to provide the password.
You can now see a new Archive folder on the desktop which was the same file you encrypted
You can delete the old folder to remove any access to it
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Use FileVault
FileVault is full-disk encryption that uses XTS-AES-128 encryption with a 256-bit key to preventing unauthorized access to your personal information on the startup disk. Basically, you won’t be able to go through Mac unless you provide the password.
Best Open Source Encryption Software
The FileVault2 is available in OS X Lion and later versions. All you need to take advantage of this feature is to turn on FileVault in your Mac. Here’s how:
Go to Security & Privacy under System Preferences
Click the FileVault tab and click on the lock icon
Enter the administration username and password
Turn on FileVault
If you are using multiple users on Mac, you can enable each user and type in their assigned password.
Print to PDF
Another file encryption method in Mac is the Print to PDF wherein you can do the security lock on the print window itself after creating or editing certain file/s.
Go to Print
Choose PDF
Click Save as PDF
Before saving it, go to Security Options
Check the box for your desired password security measures
Don’t forget to verify the password and click Save
Part 3. The Best Encryption Software for Mac in 2020
In the sea of many software and applications, there seems to be plenty of programs dedicated to single-use or single-function. They are good because they focus on one solution, however, they also cost more expensive.
If you browse thoroughly, you will discover that there are a few applications that offer sets of operations and toolkits specially designed for Mac. FoneDog PowerMyMac - Cleaner provides comprehensive modules dedicated to Mac OS. It has three powerful modules: Toolkit, Status, and Cleaner.
Inside FoneDogPowerMyMac-Cleaner Toolkit, there is a robust function called Hide and Encrypt Files. This feature allows you to create a password-protected folder and store sensitive files in it by drag and drop. It lets you turn on and off in case you may not use the feature.
User-friendly
Free download version
Auto-lock setup
Uses the safest encryption system
How cool is that? This program has made an easier way to protect you from possible data theft.
Part 4. Other Mac Encryption Tools
Apart from FoneDog PowerMyMac-Cleaner, there is other top performing software that also provides convenience and security.
Hider 2
Hider2 has the ability to hide and encrypt data on your Mac securely including notes, documents, photos, etc. One of its positive scores is the user-friendly interface which suits beginner to average users.
Open Source Encryption Software
Provides auto-lock feature when the user is inactive or idled
Uses AES-256 encryption for the safest system
Cisdem AppCrypt
Cisdem AppCrypt offers both website and app encryption system that locks you apps and accessed websites with passwords. It creates a blacklist for suspicious access and whitelist for trusted users. However, it does not have the file encryption ability that sets passwords for the desired file and folders.
Keeps a list of login attempts to let you know who opens your apps
User-friendly
Open Source Encryption Software Mac Download
GNU Privacy Guard
GNU Privacy Guard is hybrid Mac encryption software that uses a combination of standard symmetric-key cryptography and public-key cryptography. It mainly features a versatile key management system to protect your personal privacy and the privacy of the people you are communicating with.
Versatile (has Windows and Mac versions)
Free Software
Best File Encryption For Mac
However, since it provides you with a private key for safekeeping, you might end up having a hard time figuring out how to decode it once the keys are lost.
Concealer
Concealer is another trusted name in terms of hiding files and encryption. It provides an automatic password assistant that generates “strong” passwords. One of its main advantages is providing and organizing folders by having default templates for various accounts such as bank accounts, email, software registration, and more.
Customizable auto-lock system
Easy to use with drag and drop features
Uses the master password and assigns separate or individual passwords to each file inside
Part 5. Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best Encryption Software for Mac
I know you may have gotten confused on which program to use or will work best for you after reading through the different software you can choose from. There is plenty of encryption software for Mac; however, bear in mind that you need to consider quality and multi-function when it comes to having a “good buy”.
Free Open Source Encryption Software
You need a program that provides an all-in-one solution that you can rely on when things go rough on your device. I recommend using FoneDog PowerMyMac for the following factors:
Security– It the important concern above all. You have to be keen about how these programs work to secure your files and your Mac overall.
Encryption– Based on the above-mentioned encryption data, there are different types of password-protection format. Choose the one that provides the safest and considers your files their topmost priority.
Encryption Speed- Consider a program that can encrypt even your large files at the shortest period of time. We know that large files take a while to be fully encrypted so you need software that can minimize the time constraints.
Software License- Although free programs are good such as the GNU Privacy Guard, an open source software, you need to consider that free software is not entirely best for your needs since everyone can download it. The same thing goes for paid programs; you have to be extra cautious on how much it costs and its corresponding features. To be sure, you can take advantage of their free-trial versions first so you can determine if it works for you or not.
Part 6. Conclusions
We care so much about data privacy and we understand how crucial it is to be well-protected. You cannot simply store important files in your Mac especially when you have multiple users or you plan to sell it later on.
We know how much you want to protect your files from prying eyes and suspicious people that is why we have compiled and researched the different programs that can help you secure them. The encryption software for Mac we listed has their own Pros and Cons where you can assess according to their features.
Simply choose a program that will password-protect your files, optimize your system, and provide you with complete troubleshooting toolkit. Do you have any other concerns regarding encryption software for Mac? Please write your concerns in the comments below!
Free Encryption Software For Mac
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