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Download of the Week: TrueCrypt
TrueCrypt is a powerful, flexible and highly-effective program that uses "volumes" to contain encrypted data. These volumes are mounted as a system drive to read, change or add encrypted content to them on the fly -- you can encrypt files, folders, external drives or even the entire partition on which Windows itself is installed, requiring pre-boot authorization in order for the operating system to run.

It supports a variety of encryption algorithms, including AES-256, Blowfish (448-bit key), CAST5, Serpent, Triple DES, and Twofish. The latest version adds support for multiple processors, which provides a boost in the encryption/decryption speed equal to the number of processor cores in use, and "backup headers" which provide last-chance recovery for encrypted drives and files that get damaged.
Though its interface may not be very intuitive, the tips in the extensive help manual and volume-creation wizard provide good guidance. TrueCrypt is an open-source, cross-platform (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux) project and completely free to use, but the author accepts and encourages donations towards further development.
User Comments (49)
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TechDisciple
on November 29, 2009 1:25 AM |
I love using this handy encryption app. works fantastic on keeping sensitive data well protected *coughs like bank stuff. |
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guyfred26
on November 29, 2009 2:59 AM |
This is a nice software if you dont want your children accessing your unwanted files. This will help in security of your files especially if you are sharing one PC. |
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Phantasm66
on November 29, 2009 3:47 AM |
You can get it to encrypt your c: drive with whole disk encryption, so you get a password request before it boots the OS. Then you can do away with Windows login altogether. I also keep my data on a second partition, don't encrypt that use an encrypted file that fills the partition instead, then when you want to backup your data just unmount the file and then you only have one large file to backup. |
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ajickes
on November 29, 2009 3:55 AM |
I've tried it and it works really great! Best of all, it's free. Try it out! |
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CannondaleRider
on November 29, 2009 4:45 AM |
I've used TrueCrypt for a while now and can recommend its use without reservation. It just works....almost sounds like a Mac commercial, but true. It works, easily, simply, and is very cross-platform tolerant, which makes it nice not having to worry about what type of OS you're going to have to face when traveling---you can always access your data, esp. on USB drives. Just don't lose your key. |
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FrankTank
on November 29, 2009 9:39 AM |
I was actually looking for something similar to this on my old computer. I usually used the hide feature in folder options. It will be nice to create a folder with sensitive information (Uuuhhhmm naked chicks..just kidding) and now it's protected from prying eyes (wife). I'm in the process of downloading. |
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lupinnktp
on November 29, 2009 12:25 PM |
it's worth a try, really. quite a joy to use, and it gives you peace of mind |
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manintech
on November 29, 2009 4:12 PM |
I really like the software that techspot recommends, I hope there are more |
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klepto12
on November 29, 2009 4:34 PM |
very nice product that lives up to its reputation. I like that the new version is compatible with windows 7 |
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danteoz
on November 29, 2009 6:14 PM |
I've been using it for customer documents and financial stuff for a while now. Great free application for encryption |
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AnonymousSurfer
on November 29, 2009 7:49 PM |
After looking at the responses, I think I might advise people to use on their Tax Files. A nice program to help fight back against keyloggers is Keepass |
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levar
on November 29, 2009 8:48 PM |
Very nifty app, I use the portable version on my usb drive |
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Zenphic
on November 29, 2009 9:58 PM |
I've been using this on Windows XP for years without any problem. A great software. |
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rgdot
on November 30, 2009 12:39 AM |
One of best software, should be on every top list. It does a job so well.. Been using it and like how the container looks like an innocent file |
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GoranGol
on November 30, 2009 2:06 AM |
I like this program. I use it to store passwords and other private stuff on my laptop (in case if it gets stolen). |
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Razerblade
on November 30, 2009 2:25 AM |
This is a brilliant piece of software. It is very useful if you want to encrypt anything personal. I highly recommend this product. |
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LightHeart
on November 30, 2009 7:48 AM |
I have been using TrueCrypt for a number of years and it works quite well. I highly recommend that you keep this in your pc tools. TrueCrypt 6.3a (Nov 23, 2009) is on TrueCrypt.org, the link in the article takes you to a TechSpot link that features TrueCrypt 6.1a from Dec 2008. May want to update the TechSpot download link. |
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RealXboxMaster
on November 30, 2009 8:04 AM |
A VERY handy app. I have been using TruCrypt for little over a year. I installed it on my 2GB flash drive that does not have the security built in. Works like a charm. Tryit....you will like it. |
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LNCPapa
on November 30, 2009 9:01 AM |
I use this software to encrypt all the data for my wife's company. It's a mental health therapy shop and they have to follow some pretty strict data security restrictions. One really nice thing about it is that I encrypt all of the employee thumb drives with it and if they ever lose it and someone finds it then it looks like just a blank thumb drive when they plug it it. The first thing it asks to do is be formatted. |
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Kibaruk
on November 30, 2009 10:51 AM |
After playing with this for a couple of days, it really is a nice encryption tool, starting for it being free, then allowing the storage to be crypted and not the files itself, so you can encrypt multiple files with a single drag and drop to a single code, and a lot of nice functions like portable TC on external disks to use it even on computers you don't own. A very powerful aplication, thumbs up! |
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swilllx2p
on November 30, 2009 11:36 AM |
This seems really nice, i'm likely going to put it on my flash drive and use it for stuff I dont want my boss to see muahaha. On a side note, noticed a lot of people saying they just use winrar to password protect. That's fine and everything for files your not to concerned about, but Winrar's password protection isn't very secure at all last i knew. Most people with decent computer knowledge can break it..as compared to this program which offers protection that little to no one can break at the moment. |
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IvanAwfulitch
on November 30, 2009 7:59 PM |
While I'm sure this is a neat application, I don't really have a use for it...yet perhaps. I don't have anything on my computer that I need to hide. Maybe when I need to start doing taxes and banking or anything that involves identity related information, I might use this. But for now, it would just take up space on my PC. |
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Heretic
on December 1, 2009 9:18 AM |
looks like a pretty neat program. Think I might give it a shot. |
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Se7enVII
on December 1, 2009 11:57 AM |
TrueCrypt has always been a favorite of mine. It's open source, easy to use, and has tons of options/encryption schemes. The best feature of all (in my opinion) is being able to set multiple passwords (dummy passwords/dummy data) and having plausible deniability due to the way TrueCrypt works. |
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