[MLStrand56]

There are Lots of file encryption programs avail. today.

My question is, Exactly how secure can they be? If the program is commercially avail, isn't the DEcryption also easily avail?

The Only way that I see file encryption being useful is, IF the encrypting person has to provide some password (that only they know) into the encryption process. If the encrypting program simply uses an encryption algorithm, Isn't that encryption EASY to break?

MLStrand56

[MLStrand56]

I DL'ed "File Encryption Pro 5.2" from Give-Away-Of-The-Day.

When I tried to unzip the program, I got this from AVG: "Trojan Horse BackDoor.Hupigon5.CBOV"

I immediately Deleted the zip file.

I guess this goes back to my Original Question: How secure are commercially avail. data encryption programs?

I'm just starting to learn about data encryption. The only thing that I know for SURE is: (1) it's Scary, & (2) 256bit encryption, that is RE-encrypted with a different 256bit encryption, is Unbreakable.

Hmmmmm, didn't the Germans think that the Enigma machine code was impossible to decipher?

MLStrand56

[malcarada]

If the banks and the Government are using I would say it is secure, you just need to find out what they are using and download the same program.

This post has been edited by malcarada: 22 January 2012 - 09:12 AM

[MLStrand56]

malcarada, on 22 January 2012 - 09:12 AM, said:

If the banks and the Government are using I would say it is secure, you just need to find out what they are using and download the same program.

I don't know what level of encryption Banks use, but 256bit x 256bit military encryption is WAY beyond my capability!!!! Oh Yeah, 256bit x 256bit military encryption was in 1989. I'm Sure that it's WAY more advanced now.

MLStrand56

[SpiritWind]

Hi :

IF I were you, I would go to the Wilders Security Forums
( http://www.wilderssecurity.com ) since I feel there are
knowledgeable Experts there in the area you are looking
into . They have a "Privacy Related Topics" and "Other
Security Topics" Forums which I feel would be a good
starting place . Your Question MAY have already recently
been discussed .

[MLStrand56]

SpiritWind, on 22 January 2012 - 01:21 PM, said:

IF I were you, I would go to the Wilders Security Forums
( http://www.wilderssecurity.com ) since I feel there are
knowledgeable Experts there in the area you are looking
into . They have a "Privacy Related Topics" and "Other
Security Topics" Forums which I feel would be a good
starting place . Your Question MAY have already recently
been discussed .

Wow!!! Great Idea. I'll check it out.

Thanx!!!

MLStrand56

[LincolnSpector]

MLStrand56, on 22 January 2012 - 03:06 AM, said:

There are Lots of file encryption programs avail. today.

My question is, Exactly how secure can they be? If the program is commercially avail, isn't the DEcryption also easily avail?

The Only way that I see file encryption being useful is, IF the encrypting person has to provide some password (that only they know) into the encryption process. If the encrypting program simply uses an encryption algorithm, Isn't that encryption EASY to break?

MLStrand56

The encrypting person DOES have to provide a password. And without that password, the encryption is incredibly secure.

Algorithms like AES are open--the code is published. Yet to my knowledge they are for all practical purposes unbreakable. In face, there's a general feeling among security experts that the best security programs are all open source, meaning that anyone can read the programming code. In other words, an expert can know in detail how the encryption works, and still not be able to access it. See Is Open Source Safe? for details.

Of course, no encryption is safe if the crooks can guess your password. See What Is the Best Way to Create Strong Passwords?

Lincoln

[LiveBrianD]

What I use for backing up my files is 7-zip - download it and add files to a 7z archive using AES-256. (note: use LZMA2 compression because the default LZMA can only use 2 cores)

Tell me if you manage to break into this archive (no cheating with the answer below!):
http://www.mediafire...ya7b2uhzvr84g48
(the password is 'thefile')
Note: I put it on mediafire because the forums won't let me upload a 7z file.

[coastie65]

LiveBrianD, on 23 January 2012 - 11:08 AM, said:

What I use for backing up my files is 7-zip - download it and add files to a 7z archive using AES-256. (note: use LZMA2 compression because the default LZMA can only use 2 cores)

Tell me if you manage to break into this archive (no cheating with the answer below!):
http://www.mediafire...ya7b2uhzvr84g48
(the password is 'thefile')
Note: I put it on mediafire because the forums won't let me upload a 7z file.

I got a message that said it was unable to open the file due to an unknown encryption method. Probably because it is using 256 bit encrption instead of 128 bit.

[LiveBrianD]

Hmm... you need 7-zip to open that. I used AES-256 encryption on that.

[crazy4laptops]

MLStrand56, on 22 January 2012 - 03:06 AM, said:

There are Lots of file encryption programs avail. today.

My question is, Exactly how secure can they be? If the program is commercially avail, isn't the DEcryption also easily avail?

The Only way that I see file encryption being useful is, IF the encrypting person has to provide some password (that only they know) into the encryption process. If the encrypting program simply uses an encryption algorithm, Isn't that encryption EASY to break?

MLStrand56

TrueCrypt is the encryption software by which I secure my sensitive files.
Breaking the encryption also depends on which encryption used (MD5, blowfish, 2fish, AES-256, etc.)

I use AES-256 for my files. Link gives info on passwords and how long it would take to crack- http://www.dekart.co..._lost_password/

[LincolnSpector]

crazy4laptops, on 01 February 2012 - 07:43 AM, said:

TrueCrypt is the encryption software by which I secure my sensitive files.
Breaking the encryption also depends on which encryption used (MD5, blowfish, 2fish, AES-256, etc.)

I use AES-256 for my files. Link gives info on passwords and how long it would take to crack- http://www.dekart.co..._lost_password/

I second this statement. I also use TrueCrypt with AES-256 encryption. I do not encrypt my drive, I just keep some select files in a vault.

Lincoln

[Kathi201]

Try to install or download AES-256...i think its good for your matter.
Thanks