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Encryption Software

Advanced Encryption Package 2004 Pro

Aep 2004 pro features an Explorer-like file system for encrypting, decrypting, deleting, and compressing e-mail messages and files. The program is geared more toward IT folk and security geeks than toward everyday users; as a result, it lacks the friendly wizards found in Steganos, Elara Trivia, and PGP Desktop, and it does a mediocre job of explaining security jargon. For example, you're expected to be familiar with terms such as SFX (self-executable encrypted files). Expert users may prefer AEP 2004 Pro's click-'em-and-encrypt-'em approach to securing data, but newbies should set their sights on friendlier programs such as Steganos.

, $40, Secure Action Research

Cypherix Secure IT 2000

Like aep 2004 pro, the $30 Cypherix package uses an Explorer-like interface. Granted, the tried-and-true file tree isn't exactly a thing of beauty, but it's easy enough to use. Want to encrypt a file? Click it in the folder window, and select the Encrypt icon on the toolbar. The program also creates self-decrypting files (which are handy for sending as e-mail attachments), and shreds files and folders. However, extras like those in Steganos's program--such as the ability to create hidden, encrypted volumes--are missing. Novices may find themselves stumbling along, largely due to the lack of wizards.

, $30, Cypherix

Trivia Standard 2.01

Despite the product name, this $35 package is not at all trivial. Trivia's stylish graphical interface is a cinch to navigate. This Italian import skillfully steps you through the process of encrypting files and folders. You can create self-decrypting files and send them as e-mail attachments, too. Trivia's Wipe tool has a certain 007 appeal, allowing you to create a disk-wiping password to eradicate sensitive data; you'll find it useful if you're ever pressured to reveal state secrets. Absent from Trivia, however, are features like Steganos's toolkit, which can shred files, cover Web surfing tracks, and write encrypted volumes to CD or DVD. Trivia's Help file is sometimes hard to comprehend, due to awkwardly translated sentences such as "You no longer need open keys exchanging."

, $35 (Standard Edition), Elara

PGP Personal Desktop 8.0 for Windows

PGP, the granddaddy of encryption software, harkens back to the pre-Web days of computing. The $50 product bundles PGP's file and e-mail security tools into a reasonably priced package that will probably please encryption pros but confuse less-experienced users. The program is very secure, requiring you to have your own private code to decrypt an e-mail, along with a separate public code that you share with others ahead of time. These two steps lock down your group's e-mail process. The app includes wizards for many tasks; but before getting started, you'll need to study the user guide to understand how PGP uses cryptography. Once you decipher the lingo, though, the product becomes a lot easier to use.

, $50, PGP

Best Buy: Steganos Security Suite 6

Steganos's well-crafted interface makes encrypting e-mail, files, and folders, as well as up to four hard-drive partitions, extremely easy. You transmit an encrypted file as a self-decrypting e-mail attachment. The recipient uses a password, previously agreed upon with you, to open the encrypted message. In addition, you can shred files, write encrypted data to portable media such as CD or DVD discs, and eradicate every last trace of your Web browsing activities with a single click. The cleverest trick is its Steganography technology, which lets you hide an encrypted file inside an audio or graphics file. (A snoop browsing your PC won't suspect that a JPEG file, for example, holds sensitive data.) One gripe: Steganos clutters the system tray with too many icons.

, $70 ($60 to download), Steganos