Secure IT 2000

This product can be used to encrypt and decrypt your files, so that crucial

data doesn’t fall in unwanted hands. You can also use it to create

self-extracting executable files that can be accessed only by supplying the

right password.

The software uses Blowfish 448 encryption algorithm, which encrypts and de—crypts

data in 64-bit chunks. The algorithm generates a key whose length can vary from

32 to 448 bits. We reviewed the one with the 448 bits key.

Secure IT’s interface is easy to understand and use, and has shortcuts for

My Documents and Desktop. However, you can’t add your own shortcuts. So, if

you want to secure anything outside these folders, you’ll have to provide the

full path. Secure IT can encrypt various file formats, and also let you encrypt

more than one file at a time. You can also encrypt complete folders with the

software. It has masks for TXT, DOC, and XLS files, so you can, for instance,

use *.txt to encrypt all TXT files at one go. However, you can’t give your own

masks, so that if you want to encrypt all PDF documents in a folder, you can’t

use *.pdf. You can, however, use the *.* mask to encrypt all files on a given

path.

The default extension for encrypted files is BLOW. These can be opened only

on a machine that has Secure IT. If you want to carry your files to another

machine or send files to someone over e-mail, the software has an option to

create encrypted executables. Both BLOW files and the encrypted executables are

password protected, and the maximum password length is 56 characters. You can

attach a riddle to your password to help you remember it. This is also useful

when you’re sending encrypted files over e-mail, because instead of sending

the actual password, you can send a riddle that the other person can solve to

find out the password for decryption.

When you encrypt a file, the software doesn’t modify the original file, but

creates an encrypted copy. After encryption, you can retain, delete, or shred

the original file. Using the last option destroys the file beyond retrieval.

Secure IT also has a built-in file compressor. When we tried it, it

compressed a standard Word 2000 document to about a quarter of its original

size. When we converted this to an encrypted executable, the file became twice

its original size. when encrypted without compression, the file grew to three

times its size.

Probably to guard against piracy, one copy of the software installs only

once; you can’t use the same CD or floppy to install the software again,

whether on the same machine or another. So, if installation doesn’t happen

smoothly on your PC the first time, or your machine crashes later due to some

reason, you won’t be able to reinstall Secure IT. This can be quite a

drawback.

Overall, at Rs 3,250, the software is useful for anyone who wants to secure

sensitive data.

Ankur Saxena at PCQ Labs