Vista - Free Encryption Software for X64 needed

Hey guys,
I'm looking for a free and simple encryption program to use on my new machine. I was using Kruptos 2 on my XP machine, but it doesn't work in Vista X64. Is there ANTYHING good our there? I've looked for about an hour and a half without success. I don't want a trial offer. ANY help you could provide would be GREATLY appreciated.


Thank you,
-Rich

Ummm,

Have you tried EFS encryption? Its part of Vista. You can encrypt entire folders and external drive folders with it, and Use Vista's file backup utility to back up the encrypted folders/files to an NFTS formated drive or disk.

I have Bitlocker, but I just use EFS to encrypt my "Documents" folder. Since this is where I keep sensitive data (in event computer is lost or stolen. I recommend Using a strong Alpha/Numeric Password for your User acct too. EFS is useless If they can access the User account that set the encryption.

If you want to secure your User data, just encrypt the Users folder (click your C: drive that Windows is on), and whatever you do, do not leave the EFS Recovery certificate on your computer. Store it on a password protected usb thumbdrive. If you suffer hard drive failure, data corruption, and that certificate is lost so is all the data encrypted with it.

I think EFS is insecure...does the Build-in admin account not have an override encryption key? Even if he doesn't they could still crack the password hash and get the password to access the data. If you need protection against people who actually know what they are doing use truecrypt.

I usually use a 60-200 character password. I have highly sensitive data on my hard disks though. Usernames and passwords for most of my friends and family so my encryption is nessecary.

WARNING

There is no point in encrypting data is you do not have a strong password.

www.truecrypt.org/

Rive0108's EFS method is good...but it will not keep out a hacker. It will most likely stop a noob but a pro hacker would crack it in minutes, hours tops.

Good Luck

Why do you think EFS is insecure?

I have accessed "secure" files before that were protected by it. Its a joke.

I do try to break computer security as a hobby but EFS is not supposed to keep out a hacker, a theft maybe but not a pro. If it was...it needs to be redesigned.

Im not saying im a pro but if I can break it then a pro could do it with ease.

How exactly did you break it? Where is the "vuln"?

I PMed you what i wrote here, I don't want to be giving thieves any ideas...

EFS in Vista Uses AES encryption
In Windows Vista and in Windows Server 2008, EFS uses the AES algorithm with 256-bit keys. If you enable this setting, AES-256 will be used.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/811833

You are really not cracking the encryption, just a weak user password that uses a transparent EFS key layer for the log-in Amin account that created it. This can be addressed with a stronger password being used.

EFS is designed to protect the privacy of sensitive data. Besides the user who encrypts a file, only designated recovery agent personnel can decrypt it. Other system accounts that have permissions for that file — even the Take Ownership permission — cannot open the file without the encryptor's private key.

EFS is especially useful for securing sensitive data on computers shared by several users and on portable computers. Both kinds of systems are susceptible to attack by techniques that circumvent the restrictions of access control lists (ACLs) In a shared system, access can be gained by starting up a different operating system. With a portable computer, a thief might take only a moment to steal it. The thief can then remove the hard disk drive, plug the hard disk drive into another computer, and read the files. EFS files, however, appear as unintelligible characters when the thief does not have the decryption key.

If the account that created the encryption has a weak password, then it can be circumvented by simply logging into the account. that why a strong alpha/numeric password ir required (i.e., 0b319SReQQCx84bv)

Thats well and good, but cracking the users password hash and logging on without changing their password will allow you to access the file.

And when you can crack hashs pretty fast i dont see a problem.

However!

Using a smart card to store the encryption cert and making it require your PIN each time would definitely slow down the cracking process if not stop it completely.

All im saying is...if your protecting something that is very important you should not use EFS. In my personal opinion its not secure enough. Maybe im wrong, but i wouldn't use it for protecting usernames, passwords or credit card details etc.

Although chances are, anyone who steals your laptop wont have the skills to access the files