A few, including AxCrypt Premium, hit both targets. Some encryption tools are easy to use, others are highly secure. If your needs involve sharing secrets with others, you may want to consider using an email encryption tool instead of, or in addition to, a local encryption utility.įor an in-depth explanation of how encryption software works to keep you safe and how to choose the app that's right for you, scroll down beyond the product descriptions below. Note that the apps covered here focus on protecting local copies of your important files. We’ve evaluated a collection of personal encryption tools that can help keep your data under wraps. Which one you select depends on how you’d store and share your sensitive documents.

There are plenty of tools for that purpose. If your snoopy cousin sneaks upstairs during a holiday meal and wakes up your computer, what will she find? Your secret rhubarb pie recipe? Plans to sell the family business to Gigacorp? Or just your diary entries about how much you loathe her? Whether petty or portentous, your data is yours, not for public consumption, and you should consider protecting it with encryption. Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions.

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