Sending Encrypted Files

I recommend using Axcrypt to send encrypted files. Sometimes you need to send something to someone over the Internet without that information being accessible. Normally, E-mail is like a postcard, easily viewable to those between you and the recipient. The information could be a pdf file, a tax return, a contract, bank account access information or anything else you want to keep private.  This requires that you encrypt the file and call the recipient and give them a password. It is also possible that there could be files on your computer which you wanted encrypted even if you weren't sending them to someone.  I recommend Truecrypt for that. It is great.

However, for encrypting a single file Axcrypt is great. It provides state of the art file encryption security. Here are the reasons I like it:

• It is open source and very popular. That means that thousands of really good programmers have examined the code to alert us about any possible flaw. They also bang on it and try to break it or find a flaw. Security software should normally be open source so that many eyes can examine it for potential vulnerabilities. This model works better.
• It is free
• It integrates with Windows Explorer and makes it very easy to encrypt a file.
• It is small and fast.
• Lets you encrypt as an executable, so the person you are sending to does not need Axcrypt to open it, just the password.
• Excellent security
• Can compress before encrypting

After you install it, here is how it works. Just install Axcrypt and then right click from Windows Explorer on the file you want to encrypt. You'll get a menu like this:

If you choose Encrypt, you'll enter a password and it will encrypt the file, destroying the original. Choosing Encrypt a copy will do so, and preserve the original. Encrypt copy to .exe will make the file copy into an executable program (it adds a small run header to the file), which when executed requests a password. If correct it will open a copy of the original file. This program can then be sent to someone safely and can only be opened with the correct password. The program also allows you to securely delete files later.

Issues

• You must call the recipient and give them the password or passphrase. Don't include it in the email!
• If you don't want to force your recipient to get Axcrypt, then you must sent them an executable. Many companies refuse to allow executable attachments in emails. This can force you to take the added step of zipping the executable with a zip program (I recommend 7zip). However, some companies and even Gmail, refuse zipped file attachments as well. If that is the case, perhaps those companies will get Axcrypt themselves and install it, or perhaps they will Whitelist you or provide another method for accomplishing secure file transfer.
• If you forget the password⁄passphrase the file cannot be decrypted. There is no backdoor. No one can help you. Be sure and store the password in your password manager.