PaDEL-Crypt

Description

PaDEL-Crypt is a portable software for encrypting and decrypting files. The encrypted files are stored in a vault and can only be viewed and decrypted using a correct password. The main intended use of PaDEL-Crypt is to encrypt files in portable devices like flash drives or portable hard disks, so as to maintain data confidentiality in the event of accidental loss of such devices. The targeted users are those who do not have much knowledge about encryption but wish to have a simple solution for adding encryption to their portable devices. The following are some of its main features:

  • Runs on all platforms (e.g. Windows, Linux, MacOS) that have Java installed.
  • Easy to use graphical user interface for maintaining encrypted files in vault.
  • Files are encrypted using 128 bits AES (U.S. government encryption standard).
  • Encrypt all types of files using a drag-and-drop interface.
  • Create self-decrypting files.

 

Although PaDEL-Crypt is designed for users who are new to encryption, it also contains a number of features that are of interest to advanced users. These are:

  • A single vault can store files encrypted with different passwords.
  • Encrypted files are stored singly in vault to minimize data loss from bad sectors or file corruptions.
  • Filenames of encrypted files are also encrypted to enhance data confidentiality.
  • Encrypted files can be backup using backup software.
  • Encrypted files can be moved or copied to other vaults using other software.
  • Maintain a list of frequently used vaults.
  • Simple procedure to decrypt, edit, save and re-encrypt files using system associated programs.
  • Ability to stay on top of other windows to facilitate drag-and-drop encryption.
  • Has a small quick drop box for easy drag-and-drop encryption.
  • Securely delete temporary files by wiping them 1 bits, 0 bits and random bits on program exit.
  • Has a small secure delete box for easy secure deletion of files.
  • Ability to create folder and empty text files.
  • Internal viewer to view contents of encrypted text files without using temporary files.

 

Requirements

Computers which have Java installed. The latest version of Java JRE (version 6) is recommended.

 

Download, Installation & Uninstallation

Download PaDEL-Crypt from here. Create a folder on your portable device for PaDEL-Crypt and unzip all the files to that folder. Double-click on the PaDEL-Crypt.jar file (its type is Executable Jar File in Windows) to run it. For Linux users, you can also type "java -jar PaDEL-Crypt.jar" to run it. To uninstall, just delete all the files from the folder that you have installed PaDEL-Crypt to.

 

Competitors

There are a few software which are available for encrypting files on portable devices. However, none are designed for multiple platforms and most do not have as many features as PaDEL-Crypt. In addition, most of these software are not free, unlike PaDEL-Crypt which is free for most users (see licence below).

 

License

PaDEL-Crypt is free for all (e.g. personal, academic, non-profit, non-commercial, government, commercial, etc) to install and use, except administrators who wish to install PaDEL-Crypt for the whole organization. That means as an individual, you can install PaDEL-Crypt on your personal and company's PCs, personal and company's portable devices without requiring a license. You can even help your colleagues to install on their PCs and portable devices without requiring a license. However, if you wish to install PaDEL-Crypt for your whole organization, you will need a license. A license is needed even if you did not physically do the installation but email or inform everyone in your organization to install the software themselves. When in doubt, please contact Dr YAP Chun Wei for licensure clarification.

 

History

  1. Version 1.1 [26 Nov 2009]: Updated icon.
  2. Version 1.0 [17 Oct 2008]: First release.

 

Disclaimer

Pharmaceutical Data Exploration Laboratory and its members are not responsible for any data loss that arises from the use of PaDEL-Crypt. You are advised to periodically backup all files that are encrypted using PaDEL-Crypt. Use this software at your own risk.

Last modified on 3 February, 2012 by Yap Chun Wei