Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Thanks to everyone for the info on PGP. I'm really only interested in
hitting one button to encrypt files on my hard drive with certain extensions
that I can pick (e.g., DOC, XLS, etc.) on my computer easily -- like
clicking one button.

What I'm looking for is a program under $50 that I can...

1 - Install (Windows 98SE.)
2 - Select which drives, folders or files to encrypt.
3 - Hit one button.

That's all -- I'm not interested in encrypting email, etc.

Here's a simple menu system that I can visualize....

Select the drives where files to be encrypted are location.
• c
• d
• e
• f

Select the file extension types to be encrypted:
• DOC
• XLS
• All data files
• Other. Enter extensions: __________

Encryption procedure:
• Encrypt all automatically
• Allow me to select each file

Automatically delete original file:
• Yes
• No

Can anyone suggest such a program? PGP may be fine, but I'm not really
interested in becoming one with a program - just using it from time to time.

Thanks.

Fred

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Fred wrote:
> Thanks to everyone for the info on PGP. I'm really only interested in
> hitting one button to encrypt files on my hard drive with certain extensions
> that I can pick (e.g., DOC, XLS, etc.) on my computer easily -- like
> clicking one button.

What's your problem about simply batch-scripting GnuPG?

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

"Fred" wrote in
news:pESZf.1070$7Z6.723@trnddc06:

> Thanks to everyone for the info on PGP. I'm really only
> interested in hitting one button to encrypt files on my hard
> drive with certain extensions that I can pick (e.g., DOC, XLS,
> etc.) on my computer easily -- like clicking one button.

AFAIK there is no such program. You can try Axcrypt:

http://axcrypt.axantum.com/

"Features

The following are features that really set it apart from all other
file encryption tools, commercial as well as free:

* Double-click to edit/view with any application.
* Automatic re-encryption after modification.
* Absolutely no user configuration necessary or possible
before use. * Open source under GNU General Public License.
* 7 languages in one executable distribution.
* Extensive command-line interface for scripting and
programming.

Other features include:

* Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2K/XP compatible.
* AES encryption with 128-bit keys.
* Edit an encrypted document directly with double-click.
* Optional pass phrase cache - type pass phrases once per
logon and/or reboot. * Automatic pass phrase validation before
decryption or editing. * Key-File generation and support.
* No options or user interface - easy to install and use.
* Relatively light-weight, less than 1Mb download
* Extensive command-line interface.
* Server mode options.
* Huge file support > 4GB (on Windows NT/2K/XP).
* Dynamic brute force counter measure - iterative key
wrapping. * Integrates well with web based file sharing
services. * Selective compression before encryption - faster
downloads/uploads. * Retains original file name and
information of an encrypted file. * Integrated shredder.
* Shredding of all temporary and encrypted plaintext files.
* Secure memory handling - no keys or data in the paging file.
* Industry standard algorithms.
* Data integrity verification - no undetected modification.
* Unique data encryption keys used for every file and
(re-)encryption. * Polyglot - currently speaks English,
German, French, Spanish, Italian, Hungarian and Swedish. *
Easy to add more languages - contact me (I'm especially
looking for Nordic languages)! * Open source - no backdoors.
* Private branding support for commercial or corporate
versions. * It's FREE! "

IMHO TrueCrypt is better for this, just drop everything in a
single container.

Regards,
cypher


-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: PGP 8.1

iQA/AwUBRDgR2CPnLg7nPH4AEQLdPACdEokyGsze0MULxH1dStxgpefx0osA oOq9
DDZqSUJTis3ZyzLVnKxfWgP0
=dCrj
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Sounds like it might be good but I'm not familiar with it. And, like I say,
I don't want to spend 4 weeks reading documentation and learning code. I'm
not a programmer. Just want something simple to encrypt a certain file or
folder on my hard drive.

"Sebastian Gottschalk" wrote in message
news:49qeqpFpjl52U1@news.dfncis.de...
> Fred wrote:
> > Thanks to everyone for the info on PGP. I'm really only interested in
> > hitting one button to encrypt files on my hard drive with certain
extensions
> > that I can pick (e.g., DOC, XLS, etc.) on my computer easily -- like
> > clicking one button.
>
> What's your problem about simply batch-scripting GnuPG?

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Fred wrote:
> 1 - Install (Windows 98SE.)
> 2 - Select which drives, folders or files to encrypt.
> 3 - Hit one button.

Also, you need to WIPE the plaintext versions off the hdd. Otherwise
encrypting files is useless, since deleted plaintext versions can be
recovered very easily.

--
My computer security & privacy related homepage
http://www.markusjansson.net
Use HushTools or GnuPG/PGP to encrypt any email
before sending it to me to protect our privacy.

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Fred wrote:
> Sounds like it might be good but I'm not familiar with it. And, like I say,
> I don't want to spend 4 weeks reading documentation and learning code. I'm
> not a programmer. Just want something simple to encrypt a certain file or
> folder on my hard drive.

Eh?

set /p files=Files:
for /r %%i in (%files%) do (echo gpg -e "%%i" & if exist "%%i.gpg" del
"%%i")

And please http://learn.to/quote

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

In comp.security.misc Fred wrote:
> Just want something simple to encrypt a certain file or
> folder on my hard drive.

Perhaps, here you will find something:

http://www.schneier.com/twofish-products.html

Yours,
VB.
--
At first there was the word. And the word was Content-type: text/plain

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

In comp.security.misc Sebastian Gottschalk wrote:
> Eh?
> set /p files=Files:
> for /r %%i in (%files%) do (echo gpg -e "%%i" & if exist "%%i.gpg" del
> "%%i")

Windows 98 was the challenge.

Yours,
VB.
--
At first there was the word. And the word was Content-type: text/plain

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Fred wrote:

> Can anyone suggest such a program? PGP may be fine, but I'm not really
> interested in becoming one with a program - just using it from time to time.


I'd just use a recent version of Winzip, one that supports AES. Create
encrypted archives, bingo.

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Simon H. Garlick wrote:

> I'd just use a recent version of Winzip, one that supports AES. Create
> encrypted archives, bingo.

And which software beside WinZip supports such non-standard archives?

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Volker Birk wrote:

>> set /p files=Files:
>> for /r %%i in (%files%) do (echo gpg -e "%%i" & if exist "%%i.gpg" del
>> "%%i")
>
> Windows 98 was the challenge.

I don't remember the Command Shell that well, but AFAIK both set/p and
for/r are available there.

And what about ZShell (a single small zsh.exe) or good'ol bloaty Cygwin?

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Sebastian Gottschalk wrote:
> > Windows 98 was the challenge.
> I don't remember the Command Shell that well, but AFAIK both set/p and
> for/r are available there.

IIRC no.

> And what about ZShell (a single small zsh.exe) or good'ol bloaty Cygwin?

Yes. But: the OP asked for a solution, where he does not need to
program. That includes shell scipts, I guess.

Yours,
VB.
--
At first there was the word. And the word was Content-type: text/plain

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Volker Birk wrote:

>> And what about ZShell (a single small zsh.exe) or good'ol bloaty Cygwin?
>
> Yes. But: the OP asked for a solution, where he does not need to
> program. That includes shell scipts, I guess.

Writing a single simple shell command isn't different from controlling
the program via mouse clicks. There isn't even an execution flow among
multiple commands.

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

"Sebastian Gottschalk" skrev i melding
news:49rsrsFq3155U1@news.dfncis.de...
> Fred wrote:
>> Sounds like it might be good but I'm not familiar with it. And, like I
>> say,
>> I don't want to spend 4 weeks reading documentation and learning code.
>> I'm
>> not a programmer. Just want something simple to encrypt a certain file
>> or
>> folder on my hard drive.
>
> Eh?
>
> set /p files=Files:

set /p will not work with windows 98se. It's only supported from Windows
2000 and onwards.

> for /r %%i in (%files%) do (echo gpg -e "%%i" & if exist "%%i.gpg" del
> "%%i")

Unless you set the key to encrypt to in the conf-file gpg -e will ask for
the identification of the key for each file.

My suggestion is a free piece of software:
http://www.scramdisk.clara.net/

Create a virtual drive and keep all your folders and files that contain data
for encryption on it. It couldn't be simpler, just log on and log off.
You'll never come in a situation where you've forgotten hit the button to
encrypt the files. When you log off or switches off the data securily stored
inside the virtual drive file.

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

> Writing a single simple shell command isn't different from controlling
> the program via mouse clicks. There isn't even an execution flow among
> multiple commands.

While it may not be different from the computer's perspective,
Sebastian, scripts are VERY different from mouse clicks to 90% of
computer users.

The OP is looking for something as simple as right clicking on a folder
or file to bring up a contextual menu with an option: encrypt.


--
*Adam W. Montville, CISSP*
awm@montvillearchives.net
*http://www.MontvilleArchives.net *

*ICQ: 271-685-874*

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Adam W. Montville wrote:
>> Writing a single simple shell command isn't different from controlling
>> the program via mouse clicks. There isn't even an execution flow among
>> multiple commands.
>
> While it may not be different from the computer's perspective,
> Sebastian, scripts are VERY different from mouse clicks to 90% of
> computer users.
>
> The OP is looking for something as simple as right clicking on a folder
> or file to bring up a contextual menu with an option: encrypt.

Now this makes it even easier.

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Fred writes:

> Thanks to everyone for the info on PGP. I'm really only interested in
> hitting one button to encrypt files on my hard drive with certain extensions
> that I can pick (e.g., DOC, XLS, etc.) on my computer easily -- like
> clicking one button.

No useful encryption program requires hitting only one button, because
the security of encryption depends upon secret information that must
not be stored on the computer, and you must provide this information
each time you encrypt. If you don't do that, there's no point in
encrypting.

> What I'm looking for is a program under $50 that I can...
>
> 1 - Install (Windows 98SE.)
> 2 - Select which drives, folders or files to encrypt.
> 3 - Hit one button.
>
> That's all -- I'm not interested in encrypting email, etc.

If you can encrypt with just one button, anyone else can decrypt with
just one button, too. Such a system is completely insecure.

> Here's a simple menu system that I can visualize....
>
> Select the drives where files to be encrypted are location.
> • c
> • d
> • e
> • f
>
> Select the file extension types to be encrypted:
> • DOC
> • XLS
> • All data files
> • Other. Enter extensions: __________
>
> Encryption procedure:
> • Encrypt all automatically
> • Allow me to select each file
>
> Automatically delete original file:
> • Yes
> • No
>
> Can anyone suggest such a program?

There areny't any reputable programs that work this way. Encryption
always requires that you provide some sort of secret information (a
password, a pass phrase, a secure smart card or USB key, etc.) at the
time of encryption and decryption. The secret information cannot be
stored on the computer itself.

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Sebastian Gottschalk wrote:
> Writing a single simple shell command isn't different from controlling
> the program via mouse clicks.

Come on, Sebastian, this is nonsense.

Yours,
VB.
--
At first there was the word. And the word was Content-type: text/plain

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Thanks, Sebastian. But I'm not a programmer. I have no idea what that
means.

"Sebastian Gottschalk" wrote in message
news:49rsrsFq3155U1@news.dfncis.de...
> Fred wrote:
> > Sounds like it might be good but I'm not familiar with it. And, like I
say,
> > I don't want to spend 4 weeks reading documentation and learning code.
I'm
> > not a programmer. Just want something simple to encrypt a certain file
or
> > folder on my hard drive.
>
> Eh?
>
> set /p files=Files:
> for /r %%i in (%files%) do (echo gpg -e "%%i" & if exist "%%i.gpg" del
> "%%i")
>
> And please http://learn.to/quote

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Thanks, AB. Will give it a try.

Fred

"Arild Bjørk" wrote in message
news:oa6dnYXBF8jVk6TZRVnzvA@telenor.com...
> "Sebastian Gottschalk" skrev i melding
> news:49rsrsFq3155U1@news.dfncis.de...
> > Fred wrote:
> >> Sounds like it might be good but I'm not familiar with it. And, like I
> >> say,
> >> I don't want to spend 4 weeks reading documentation and learning code.
> >> I'm
> >> not a programmer. Just want something simple to encrypt a certain file
> >> or
> >> folder on my hard drive.
> >
> > Eh?
> >
> > set /p files=Files:
>
> set /p will not work with windows 98se. It's only supported from Windows
> 2000 and onwards.
>
> > for /r %%i in (%files%) do (echo gpg -e "%%i" & if exist "%%i.gpg" del
> > "%%i")
>
> Unless you set the key to encrypt to in the conf-file gpg -e will ask for
> the identification of the key for each file.
>
> My suggestion is a free piece of software:
> http://www.scramdisk.clara.net/
>
> Create a virtual drive and keep all your folders and files that contain
data
> for encryption on it. It couldn't be simpler, just log on and log off.
> You'll never come in a situation where you've forgotten hit the button to
> encrypt the files. When you log off or switches off the data securily
stored
> inside the virtual drive file.
>
>

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Yes, I left that out....

> > 1 - Install (Windows 98SE.)
> > 2 - Select which drives, folders or files to encrypt.
2a - Enter password
> > 3 - Hit one button.


"Mxsmanic" wrote in message
news:nq5i32tq899a2ds45oie16b6pf56d17ong@4ax.com...
> Fred writes:
>
> > Thanks to everyone for the info on PGP. I'm really only interested in
> > hitting one button to encrypt files on my hard drive with certain
extensions
> > that I can pick (e.g., DOC, XLS, etc.) on my computer easily -- like
> > clicking one button.
>
> No useful encryption program requires hitting only one button, because
> the security of encryption depends upon secret information that must
> not be stored on the computer, and you must provide this information
> each time you encrypt. If you don't do that, there's no point in
> encrypting.
>
> > What I'm looking for is a program under $50 that I can...
> >
> > 1 - Install (Windows 98SE.)
> > 2 - Select which drives, folders or files to encrypt.
> > 3 - Hit one button.
> >
> > That's all -- I'm not interested in encrypting email, etc.
>
> If you can encrypt with just one button, anyone else can decrypt with
> just one button, too. Such a system is completely insecure.
>
> > Here's a simple menu system that I can visualize....
> >
> > Select the drives where files to be encrypted are location.
> > . c
> > . d
> > . e
> > . f
> >
> > Select the file extension types to be encrypted:
> > . DOC
> > . XLS
> > . All data files
> > . Other. Enter extensions: __________
> >
> > Encryption procedure:
> > . Encrypt all automatically
> > . Allow me to select each file
> >
> > Automatically delete original file:
> > . Yes
> > . No
> >
> > Can anyone suggest such a program?
>
> There areny't any reputable programs that work this way. Encryption
> always requires that you provide some sort of secret information (a
> password, a pass phrase, a secure smart card or USB key, etc.) at the
> time of encryption and decryption. The secret information cannot be
> stored on the computer itself.
>
> --
> Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Dumb question - I clicked on DLOAD. Clicking on PGP Sign or the download
sites gives a blank screen.

"Arild Bjørk" wrote in message
news:oa6dnYXBF8jVk6TZRVnzvA@telenor.com...
>
> My suggestion is a free piece of software:
> http://www.scramdisk.clara.net/
>
> Create a virtual drive and keep all your folders and files that contain
data
> for encryption on it. It couldn't be simpler, just log on and log off.
> You'll never come in a situation where you've forgotten hit the button to
> encrypt the files. When you log off or switches off the data securily
stored
> inside the virtual drive file.

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Sebastian Gottschalk writes:

> And which software beside WinZip supports such non-standard archives?

Why does an encrypted archive have to be "standard"?

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Mxsmanic wrote:
> Sebastian Gottschalk writes:
>
>> And which software beside WinZip supports such non-standard archives?
>
> Why does an encrypted archive have to be "standard"?

Well, if you don't care for possibly not being able to read your data
after ten years...

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Sebastian Gottschalk writes:

> Well, if you don't care for possibly not being able to read your data
> after ten years...

As long as you have the software that created the archive, you can
read it.

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Mxsmanic wrote:

>> Well, if you don't care for possibly not being able to read your data
>> after ten years...
>
> As long as you have the software that created the archive, you can
> read it.

And the hardware on which this software runs.

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Volker Birk writes:

>Sebastian Gottschalk wrote:
>> > Windows 98 was the challenge.
>> I don't remember the Command Shell that well, but AFAIK both set/p and
>> for/r are available there.

>IIRC no.

>> And what about ZShell (a single small zsh.exe) or good'ol bloaty Cygwin?

>Yes. But: the OP asked for a solution, where he does not need to
>program. That includes shell scipts, I guess.

Then it is impossible for anything needs to be "programmed" whether it is
to isntall it on his disk or to start it running. Sheesh. Why not just say
he wants his computer to read his mind, or better yet, just do things
because it knows they are good for him.

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Mxsmanic writes:

>Sebastian Gottschalk writes:

>> Well, if you don't care for possibly not being able to read your data
>> after ten years...

>As long as you have the software that created the archive, you can
>read it.

Not if you forget the password. And after 10 years or non-use, you will not
be able to remember it.

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Sebastian Gottschalk writes:

> And the hardware on which this software runs.

The hardware will still exist.

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Mxsmanic wrote:
> Sebastian Gottschalk writes:
>
>> And the hardware on which this software runs.
>
> The hardware will still exist.

TCG, ollywoo and the time (damaging old computers) are against you.
And guess what? Your old Winzip will not run on Windows Vista III
anymore, your Win98 won't run on the new hardware any more.

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Unruh wrote:

> Then it is impossible for anything needs to be "programmed" whether it is
> to isntall it on his disk or to start it running. Sheesh. Why not just say
> he wants his computer to read his mind,

Because "do what I mean" usually ends up in "rm -rf *.txt" "*.txt not
found, assuming that you meant *.*".

> or better yet, just do things because it knows they are good for him.

s/knows/believes to know/

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Unruh wrote:

> Not if you forget the password. And after 10 years or non-use, you will not
> be able to remember it.

For WinZip's implementation this shouldn't be a problem :-)

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Sebastian Gottschalk writes:

> TCG, ollywoo and the time (damaging old computers) are against you.
> And guess what? Your old Winzip will not run on Windows Vista III
> anymore, your Win98 won't run on the new hardware any more.

There will be plenty of old but operable computers to run old
software. And Windows today still runs most software from twenty
years ago; backward compatibility has always been a priority for
Windows operating systems, and I expect this to continue.

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

DigiSecret

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: RIPEMD160

have a look st DigiSecret

http://tamos.com/products/digisecret/

Fred wrote:
| Yes, I left that out....
|
|>> 1 - Install (Windows 98SE.)
|>> 2 - Select which drives, folders or files to encrypt.
| 2a - Enter password
|>> 3 - Hit one button.
|
|
| "Mxsmanic" wrote in message
| news:nq5i32tq899a2ds45oie16b6pf56d17ong@4ax.com...
|> Fred writes:
|>
|>> Thanks to everyone for the info on PGP. I'm really only interested in
|>> hitting one button to encrypt files on my hard drive with certain
| extensions
|>> that I can pick (e.g., DOC, XLS, etc.) on my computer easily -- like
|>> clicking one button.
|> No useful encryption program requires hitting only one button, because
|> the security of encryption depends upon secret information that must
|> not be stored on the computer, and you must provide this information
|> each time you encrypt. If you don't do that, there's no point in
|> encrypting.
|>
|>> What I'm looking for is a program under $50 that I can...
|>>
|>> 1 - Install (Windows 98SE.)
|>> 2 - Select which drives, folders or files to encrypt.
|>> 3 - Hit one button.
|>>
|>> That's all -- I'm not interested in encrypting email, etc.
|> If you can encrypt with just one button, anyone else can decrypt with
|> just one button, too. Such a system is completely insecure.
|>
|>> Here's a simple menu system that I can visualize....
|>>
|>> Select the drives where files to be encrypted are location.
|>> . c
|>> . d
|>> . e
|>> . f
|>>
|>> Select the file extension types to be encrypted:
|>> . DOC
|>> . XLS
|>> . All data files
|>> . Other. Enter extensions: __________
|>>
|>> Encryption procedure:
|>> . Encrypt all automatically
|>> . Allow me to select each file
|>>
|>> Automatically delete original file:
|>> . Yes
|>> . No
|>>
|>> Can anyone suggest such a program?
|> There areny't any reputable programs that work this way. Encryption
|> always requires that you provide some sort of secret information (a
|> password, a pass phrase, a secure smart card or USB key, etc.) at the
|> time of encryption and decryption. The secret information cannot be
|> stored on the computer itself.
|>
|> --
|> Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.
|
|
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Version: GnuPG v1.4.2.2 (MingW32)
Comment: TrustedNotary.Com - MyPGP.Com
Comment: http://www.mypgp.com/faq.html
Comment: postmaster(@)mypgp.com
Comment: 0x025D7C5D
Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org

iD8DBQFEOmNnpL31oxkoYSQRA+20AKCMTQ1Hhs+7OtG2MNYP16AGfL4joQCf RVgE
x0UYUYMyIlNsRoRWjY3/+B0=
=m9tj
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Didn't check the links, but here is 2.02h:
http://yahoo.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,63 94,00.asp

"Fred" skrev i melding
news:EVa_f.8343$gy2.346@trnddc08...
> Dumb question - I clicked on DLOAD. Clicking on PGP Sign or the download
> sites gives a blank screen.

Re: Need simpler encryption program than PGP

Sebastian Gottschalk writes:

> And which software beside WinZip supports such non-standard archives?

All this argument about what software will still be running in 10 years
is unnecessary, because, although WinZip itself is closed source, the
AES format they use has been published in detail here:
http://www.winzip.com/aes_info.htm
and is already supported by at least three other (commercial)
zip-compatible archiving applications (DynaZip, PKWare, and
PowerArchiver). (At least two others claim AES encryption and WinZip
9.0 compatibility, but the wording is not 100% clear if they mean
WinZip 9.0 AES compatibility.) The open source zip-compatible archiver,
7-Zip, does not support this format yet but has it as a feature
request, maybe it will soon. There are also software libraries
available that support it.

So the format is not much more likely to fall into desuetude than any
other encryption format.