PGP Desktop 9 Delivers a Sweet Security Suite

In an era when stories of stolen laptops and identity theft are commonplace, you must protect your vital data with encryption and other security measures. PGP Desktop 9 (the PGP stands for Pretty Good Privacy) supplies most of the tools you'll need.

PGP Corporation's new $70 suite includes a file shredder, a free-space cleaner, and an array of encryption tools.

PGP Desktop 9 makes encrypting e-mail messages far easier than its predecessors did. No plug-ins are necessary. You simply compose your message in your e-mail application (any client that supports the POP3, SMTP, IMAP, or MAPI protocols). The software automatically detects and encrypts the outgoing message. (If the recipient doesn't have PGP Desktop installed, you can opt to send the message unencrypted.)

This PGP Desktop also introduces protection for your instant messages. It can act as a proxy for AOL Instant Messenger, establishing a channel for encrypted communications between two PGP Desktop users. As long as both have PGP Desktop 9 running, the encryption occurs invisibly in the background.

The app suffers from a busy interface. But if you keep vital info on your laptop or desktop PC, you'll benefit from the rich set of useful file security tools in PGP Desktop 9.