10 Robust Encryption Tools To Keep Your Data Secure From Malicious Actors

In this epoch of digital technology, having an anti-virus might help users against common malicious intrusions into individual systems or closed networks. However, as cyberattacks are donning advanced garbs that override the base-level protection, superior levels of data security, such as verified data encryption tools, become inevitable, especially when the data is in transit.

Introduction

Traditional anti-malware provides base-level protection to the valuable information assets of an individual or an organization. However, as advanced and more powerful cyberattacks are rampant, it’s always useful to employ an advanced anti-malware tool, such as a robust encryption program. It can code your data while in your network or even while in transit so that even an interception cannot cause to leak any valuable data.

What is an encryption tool? What does it do? For securing a user’s digital assets, encryption tools use an algorithm and keys to transform accessible data into encrypted data which can be decrypted only by authorized users who have the decryption key. Types of encryption tools vary according to their uses, such as text encryption tools, password encryption tools, and many more. This article discusses the ten best encryption tools worldwide.

• AxCrypt

AxCrypt can be useful for small teams and individuals for a secure and reliable 128 or 256-bit AES GNU GPL-licensed encryption. The software is one of the best hard drive encryption tools. Besides, it can protect data stored in cloud storage too. An advantage with AxCrypt is that it can decode the files even while executing, and then they are automatically re-encrypted when modified.

• VeraCrypt

VeraCrypt, the successor of TrueCrypt, is a free and open-source application that supports AES, Serpent, and TwoFish encryptions. VeraCrypt uses 30 times more iterations when encrypting partitions and containers, making the algorithm strong enough to combat the latest brute-force attacks and is one of the top USB encryption tools. The software supports two types of plausible deniability, hidden volumes, and hidden operating systems. It is versatile because it can create a virtual disk in a file or encrypt a part of the entire storage with pre-boot authentication.

• BitLocker

BitLocker is a full-disk encryption tool that uses 256-bit AES encryption for the Windows operating system and lets the user encrypt the entire hard-drive for improved security. It started with the Vista version of MS Windows. It was earlier started with another name to make information on a device secure, especially when it is lost or stolen. Even though it can provide full-disk encryption, BitLocker also supports multi-authentication and encrypts other volumes that can be virtually accessed.

• OpenPGP

OpenPGP is an end-to-end free email encryption tool that uses features of PGP encryption tools and can provide encoding for password managers and messaging services. Besides, the basis of the software is PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) software, where PGP defines the standard for encryption of certificates, signatures, and messages for transferring public keys.

• GnuPG

In the latest Linux distributions, GPG (GNU Privacy Guard) comes as a collection of Linux encryption tools and encodes attachments with PGP before uploading them for email transfers. It is a free format of the OpenPGP standard. GnuPG is a command-line tool for integration with other services and features a versatile key management system with access modules for public keys. Despite not having a graphic interface, it provides all the functionalities required by the users.

• 7-Zip

7-Zip is an open-source and free file archiver that can be used for customer-specific encryption of desired files instead of encrypting the entire hard disk. The main features of 7-Zip are the high compression ratio with LZMA and LZMA2 compression methods, the self-extraction capability of 7z format, robust AES 256-bit encryption, and a lot more. A group of files can be compressed and stored in containers named ‘archives.’

• LUKS

LUKS (Linux Unified Key Setup) is another free encryption tool for Linux users based on cryptsetup, which uses dm-crypt for backend disk encryption. LUKS achieves compatibility via standardization, is secure against entropy attacks, and supports multiple keys. It is compatible among different distributors as it follows an on-disk format. A user can migrate data seamlessly whenever needed as the setup rests stored on the partition header.

• File Vault 2

File Vault is the full-disk encryption macOS version of BitLocker. Its first introduction was with Panther OSX 10.3. It encrypts all the data on the user’s drive using XTS-AES-128 encryption for blocking unauthorized access requests and uses a password as the decryption key. Instead of selective encryption, it encodes all the files and decodes for uses as per the clients’ requirements

• Encrypto

MacPaw’s Encrypto is a file encryption tool for securing files moved through emails, messages systems, cloud storage, and so on. Encrypto stands out among email encryption tools because it has a password hint for its recipients so that users can remain heedless of nullifying the encryption factor by relying on passwords. With Encrypto, you don’t just send files; you can also encrypt your data in simple steps to store in your disk even if you don’t have to send it anywhere. It ensures the security of your valuable information not only while it is in transit, but also when it rests on the storage.

• OpenSSL

OpenSSL is a software library licensed under Apache-style license, which contains an open-source implementation of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols. It is also a general-purpose cryptography layer that is compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS. One of the strengths of OpenSSL is a vast community consisting of numerous contributors.

Final Words

Whether it is for individuals or organizations, when it comes to security, using free, basic-level encryption tools alone would not be an effective measure to keep the valuable information assets secure and intact. Hence, multi-layered security measures and the best encryption tools and methods are required to ensure adequate data security. Efficient encryption software can keep your information assets secure and intact while on storage or in transit.

Maintain your data confidentiality by using 10 best encryption tools for windows.