
The locking process happens in a flash, faster than encryption. It appears inside Folder Lock and vanishes from Windows Explorer. To lock a file or folder, you just drop it on Folder Lock. Locked files are protected from casual snooping, which may be all you need. If that sounds a bit like the way a rootkit hides its components from Windows, well, it is quite similar, but working for good, not evil. Instead, Folder Lock uses a technique called kernel level filtering to hide the locked file from Windows, and from all programs running under Windows.

So, what does it mean to lock a file or folder? A locked file is not encrypted. You can also configure it to log out of your Windows account or even shut down Windows altogether after a number of failed attempts. If you frequently fumble-finger your password, you may want to set a higher number. At its default settings, this feature shuts down Folder Lock after three incorrect login attempts. If you're concerned someone might try to break into your Folder Lock installation, you can enable Hack Security. You can set the timeout from one to 100 minutes, and you can configure it to log out of Windows, or shut down Windows, rather than just shut down the program. If you turn this feature on, it shuts down the program after 10 minutes of inactivity. There is an Auto Protection option, disabled by default. Simple Tricks to Remember Insanely Secure Passwords Note, though, that in the four years since my original review the product only went from 7.6 to 7.7. When the next version comes out, you can either pay an update fee or just keep using the current version. You also get free access to all updates until the next major point update. You don't have to buy right away you can run the program 25 times before it demands payment. Folder Lock does all three things, and more, balancing ease of use with a wide range of features.Īs with most competing products, your $39.95 purchase entitles you to use Folder Lock (the version I tested) indefinitely. Most encryption utilities stick to just one of these functions. Still others maintain encrypted storage in the cloud. Others create secure storage locations that act like standard drives or folders but can be locked, encrypting all of their contents. Some encryption utilities turn files and folders into encoded versions of themselves. You can take precautions to secure your own most sensitive files and folders by encrypting them.

How to Set Up Two-Factor Authenticationīy now it should be clear that encryption isn't just for security geeks and IT administrators.How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac.

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