File Encryption Alternatives

TL;DR

TrueCrypt is outdated and BitLocker isn’t always available or suitable. Here’s a guide to other reliable file encryption options, covering free tools, cross-platform solutions, and command-line utilities.

1. VeraCrypt (Free & Open Source)

VeraCrypt is the spiritual successor to TrueCrypt, addressing its security vulnerabilities. It’s a strong choice for creating encrypted containers or encrypting entire partitions/drives.

• Download: https://www.veracrypt.fr/
• Key Features: Strong encryption algorithms (AES, Serpent, Twofish), hidden containers, plausible deniability.
• How to Use: Similar interface to TrueCrypt, making it easy for existing users to transition. Create a volume and mount it with a password.

2. 7-Zip (Free & Widely Available)

While primarily known as an archive tool, 7-Zip offers robust AES-256 encryption.

• Download: https://www.7-zip.org/
• How to Use: Right-click on files/folders, select ‘7-Zip’ -> ‘Add to archive…’. In the options, set encryption method to AES-256 and provide a strong password.

3. GnuPG (Free & Command Line)

GnuPG (also known as GPG) is a powerful command-line tool for encrypting individual files or entire directories.

• Installation:
  • Linux (Debian/Ubuntu):

    sudo apt update && sudo apt install gnupg

  • macOS (using Homebrew):

    brew install gpg

  • Windows: Download from https://www.gnupg.org/ and follow the installation instructions.
• Key Generation (if you don’t have one):

  gpg --gen-key

  Follow the prompts to create a key pair.

• Encrypting a File:

  gpg -e -r "Recipient Name" filename.txt

  Replace ‘Recipient Name’ with the name associated with the recipient’s public key. This creates filename.txt.gpg.

• Decrypting a File:

  gpg -d filename.txt.gpg > filename.txt

4. Cryptomator (Free & Cross-Platform)

Cryptomator creates encrypted vaults in the cloud or locally, integrating well with services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive.

• Download: https://cryptomator.org/
• Key Features: Client-side encryption, cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS).
• How to Use: Create a vault, choose a storage location, and set a password. Files added to the vault are automatically encrypted.

5. AxCrypt (Free & Windows)

AxCrypt is an easy-to-use encryption tool specifically for Windows.

• Download: https://www.axcrypt.net/
• Key Features: Simple interface, integrates with the Windows shell (right-click menu).
• How to Use: Right-click on files/folders, select ‘AxCrypt’ -> ‘Encrypt’. Provide a password or use your Windows account credentials.

6. EFS (Windows Only)

Encrypting File System is built into Windows Pro and Enterprise editions.

• How to Use: Right-click on the file/folder, select ‘Properties’, go to the ‘General’ tab, click ‘Advanced…’, check ‘Encrypt contents to secure data’.
• Limitations: Tied to the Windows account. Recovery can be complex if the account is lost or corrupted.