BASIC=Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code

With regard to giovanni, modern encryption methods are VERY strong. If you use say a 30 digit password including non-letter characters and non-dictionary words/ letter combinations, plus a triple encryption method and a long random character generator, a super computer (ie one of the fastest computers in the world) might take several thousand years or more!!!! to brute force crack the encryption!

You can be sure the encryption is safe! However, some countries laws FORCE revealing a password if 'requested' by a government agency.

Truecrypt allows the creation of a hidden partition within an encrypted partition, of which no proof can be provided by an external agency that such a 'partition' exists. This allows revealing the primary partion password, but allowing a hidden partition password to NOT be revealed, since 'they' would NOT be able to produce any evidence that you had created such a 'hidden' partition!

Truecrypt does allow individual files to be encrypted, it's one of the three options ie encrypt file, encrypt partition/ drive and encrypt system partition/ drive. It's also the safest option for beginners.

Today's GAOTD has quite a complicated user interface and could cause inadvertent very serious problems if misapplied. As with any encryption program read all the documentation before attempting ANY encryption. There is a web version of the help file at their website. It is well advised to practice on backup copies of unsensitive files before trying it on any valuable files. If you use a keyfile, back it up on online storage or a spare USB pen drive. If you forget a password, the file is UNRECOVERABLE. Use on this basis!

If you live in the UK and your computer is seized, failing to reveal the password gets an automatic 2 year prison/ jail sentence; saying you have forgotten a password is not an excuse. Write it down or store it as a text file somewhere you can remember!

If you encrypt a whole drive or a system drive and lose a keyfile or forget a password, the ONLY option is to format the drive with a loss of all data on the drive.

installs, registers and runs fine on win7 x32. installation was easy. easy to use. stable.
works for me. Keeper.

thanks GAOTD!

Program worked for me! I'm guessing only Windows XP and Vista users can use this, but not 7. :(

~Joji~

@3 Well said m8,why would any of us non commercial users need a piece of software that is primarily used in the commercial world. (this is commercial software)

# 1

"One thing I cannot stress enough however is the backup of security keys. Should you have to format your computer some files can be rendered unusable!"

Jason Carver


This is actually not true with regard to this software!!

On Softsea website, where this program got 5 STARS out of 5 (no bad, is it??), the reviewer wrote that this tool has a feature that provides an executable copy of the program on an external storage medium (e. g. USB stick).


And besides that, among other features, it also includes an Anti-Keylogger function that chops up the password input and the use of image objects for cryptic password sequences.

So, given these features, it seems to me that it's very difficult to find a way to crack the password protected zip file, even if your PC is infected by a bloody keylogger...LOL!


That said, I was wondering whether password encrypted Zip files, such as the ones protected by this SW, can be cracked or not by zip crackers like "fcrackzip" (Open Source) or others similar tools that use brute force or dictionary based attacks.

Does anybody know that??

@19: I think it's just their tendency to have their company name all lowercase and their product name all uppercase that makes it confusing. I guess the developer don't think anyone will still remember BASIC the programming language... or they just started using this naming convention and didn't bother to change it.

@13 - Using a password on logon is simply not good enough. Anyone can boot up the computer with a live cd, mount the file system and read/write off the disk. Using encryption tools like TrueCrypt mean better secuirity.

I like the idea of zip and encrypt. There is yet another freeware alternative to today's giveaway -- 7Zip. I use this to encrypt my password list, and then email it to my gmail account. Since I've violated one of the cardinal rules (Don't write passwords down), the least I could do was encrypt the file!

@#13: If (heaven forbid) anyone should steal your physical disk (whether in laptop or desktop PC), it takes only a few minutes to connect your disk drive to another PC and then read every non-encrypted file on it. Login passwords won't prevent that!

Also, if you run Windows 2000 or XP (but NOT the Home Edition of XP), then you already have M$'s own EFS available (see Technet: The Encrypting File System for details). Vista Home editions also 'partially' support EFS; non-Home Editions of Vista fully support it.

BitLocker is likewise available for non-Home Editions of Windows Vista and Windows 7.

What good are free updates to a program that won't install on a 32 bit system as this won't for me and others too it seems?

Hello,

@MikeR: Of course I would say nothing against TrueCrypt, the developers do really a good job. Nonetheless, much is also a matter of taste, and the file encryption of TrueCrypt is not so clear.


@x64-problem: On our test systems the X64-problem does not occur. At present we can only imagine that somehow failed to access the 32bit functionality. In this case, is automatically executed the 64bit function. We have observed a similar problem when a virus has stopped a function of our software. We will examine it closely again. It would be nice if you post if you have installed a virus scanner and if so, how? THANKS

Your abylonsoft-Team

I've used AxCrypt for a few years.
Easy to use. Option for scienter of rewrites when deleting files.
Only had one problem which was my fault only.
So for anyone new to these encryption programs. This word of caution is for you!
When it asks you to make a backup keyfile: DO IT! make multiple copies for your use in the future.
I did a new install of Windows once. All my personal files were on another drive. The key file I created was on C: drive.
I was never able to access those files again.
Now the key file is on 2 jump drives and 2 cd's. when I do a new install I copy the key file to C: drive for convenience.
Remember, it ain't no joke... when you forget to make a keyfile copy.

Remember, when you lose encryption key, you've lost all encrypted data; that might mean all your drives. Keep multiple backups, at least one in the cloud and at least one offsite (and by that I do mean another building, not upstairs in your parent's kitchen). ;P

Come on abylon developers, do not insist that the installer works, you would better fix the bug. Like others already mentioned, it does not place an icon on the desktop and it pops up error messages, complaining something about not recognizing the OS - I am running Win Vista Home Premium x32 - and some blabla about x64 DLL's. Redownloaded the GAOTD setup, deinstalled with TU, reinstalled - nothing changed. Now I am giving up. Thanks for nothing.

There are tons of open source encryption packages/libraries and everyone who knows how write programs can make an encryption program very easily (I can make, say AES-256 single file encrypter in about an hour or two).
Also, there are tons of free and open source encryption programs available (AxCrypt, TrueCrypt to name a few).

I don't think I need another encryption program.

P.S.: Also, the name BASIC is misleading. You could think of another name for this program.

@ post 7, abylon:

I don't know if you're posting as the developer of this software. Or if someone else is trying to play at being silly beggars to embarrass you.

Either way, your post is incorrect.

TrueCrypt lets you keep invisible drives, invisible folders, and invisible files. It's your choice. You can have dozens of 'em if you wish, all discrete, and all with primary or primary + secondary level protection according to choice.

I do wish people would stop passing daft remarks about TrueCrypt. Doesn't take 10 minutes to read the TrueCrypt tutorial to realise just how remarkable this freeware is and why it continues to be the first choice of millions of users worldwide.

When I saw the title come up, I thought, "Hey! A BASIC compiler--Haven't seen a free one in ages!" Then took another look and was disappointed. Between SSL, PGP, and Tor, I already have all the free encryption I need for most any purpose. --Sure, the NSA could crack any of them in a heartbeat, but the same is probably true of anything short of an OTP if properly implemented.

For casual snooping, and even professional espionage within a reasonable budget, the above tools are already more than enough.

What does BASIC (all big letters)stand for? If todays software, what about Johns book.

TrueCrypt is TOTALLY different than what we have here, please do research before passing false information. If you don't know and just assume (without saying you are assuming), then say nothing and let people see for themselfs, you've just turned away everyone now. PEOPLE don't believe what others say, try things yourself, you may find some app that you now can't live without (like Roboform Pro...Hint Hint GAOTD... Hint... Hint... Would be Nice). This is miles behind TrueCrypt because it is simple to use. For maximum security you will want to go with a full drive/partition encryption software on the fly that supports many of the well know encryption algos (AES-256, Serpent, and Twofish and there is combos too but speed you need to think about too).

Personally I would recommend getting DriveCrypt Plus Pack but they also have many solutions there, out doing TrueCrypt by far. Only problem is, its not free. WORD OF CAUTION: When you backup your key for your drive to reverse it back to normal, please for the sake of humanity don't use a floppy disk! I did this years ago and what happens, that POS floppy disk couldn't be read any more. I had 750gigs of data over 15 years (pictures, you name it) all gone because I had a corrupt file (thanks windows for that one) and I couldn't decrypt it because I had no key or get into the main os. As long as you keep your key on a usb stick or even better the highest quality dvdr/cdr you can buy and put it away safe, make two copies, or use both usb stick and dvdr/cdr and no worries.

#2 and #7. The program definitely does NOT (say again: NOT) run under 32-bit Windows XP. It appears to install (with an error message), but then refuses to do anything, with error messages popping up continually. Had to kill it with Task Manager. Uninstalled it --it is useless on my two 32-bit Win XP SP3 machines. By the way, it also did not put a single icon on my desktop, let alone the 4 or 5 for the subprograms.

@ Comment #3

I entirely agree. Paranoia up to become a fashion these days ... If you need protection, use a password when you log in, nothing more simple wth!

@ James Smoksweedingswerth

What a narrowminded attitude. Plenty of us business types use encryption to secure company ideas, passwords, etc. I'm guessing you're the type who thinks a firewall only applies to pc's on 24 hours a day or that anti virus software is only of use if you visit eastern bloc country websites.

I have windows 7 home premium which, as far as I can tell, does not come with BitLocker (not under Control Panel|System and Security & TechNet confirms not all Win 7 versions comes with it) so I was looking for something like this specifically for zip files. I've only played with it a little bit but no show stoppers so far. It is definitely feature rich but too much is better than not enough .. use what you need. It does seem to have some bugs: I can't select a file to encrypt in the browse dialog (drag & drop works) and if I check to compress after going forward I can't go forward anymore (grayed) by changing options and execute is grayed out.

Indeed there are many OPEN SOURCE free alternatives.
To name a few valuable: Truecypt, axCrypt, OTFE.

@ James Smoksweedingswerth

Pls speak for yourself.
Not everybody use computers for games.
Other people NEED encryption.
An example is a stolen notebook or even PC with valuable data.

One last thing; I forgot to mention that you get to get free updates for some odd reason.

~Joji~

Ok, I give up. This program is too complicated for me. XD

Tons of features, easy to do steps (it guides you), and somewhat interesting. The program freezes quite rarely, and it can be confusing at times.Other than that, it clearly shows this is for business use, because it does certificates and other security measures to protect your stuff. I can't really do a proper review... sorry.

Oh, and yes, this program's interface is fairly old.

~Joji~

Hello,

@blue (#2): This setup will work under 64bit and 32bit operating systems (Win 2000 to 7).

@TrueCrypt: Of course there is TrueCrypt... But these create full encrypted disk drives. With "abylon BASIC" each file can be individually encrypted and signed.

@Other Encryption software: Also, there are many other encryption programs. Here it's just a question of what capabilities are needed and of course a personal taste thing.

Best

@#3
You forgot business people, real estate, teachers, professors, principles, those-who-travel-a lot, and probably a few other types of people who need it.

Technically, your wrong about your statement James Smoksweedingswerth. :)

Though, it depends. Just because this program is not for people like us who uses the computer for general uses, doesn't meant this program is completely useless. Other people might need it too. :)

~Joji~

This vendor has offered previous products which I wasn't interested in, but I wanted to evaluate abylon BASIC. Unfortunately, there were numerous problems with the installer. After installation and first-run, I had to kill the process. Vista x32 automatically applied a compatibility fix. It still didn't work, even running as an administrator, so I reinstalled as an administrator, which was probably necessary. It keeps trying to load a 64-bit DLL on a 32-bit OS, so I can't evaluate it.

This isn't a toy, it actually has a fair number of features. Abylonsoft has the requisite free reader, so the encrypted files can be accessed without purchasing abylon BASIC. People will complain about "trap doors" in proprietary software, but that's not a problem. Abylonsoft uses public algorithms, so theoretically you could verify whether the software works correctly, but that can be problematic. Not only do you have to know the algorithm, but the file format, and how keys are handled (Abylonsoft indicates some proprietary handling). Apart from those things, it's the details which determine how good security software is, and the details can generally only be ascertained in open-source software. The open-source products which are typically mentioned are AxCrypt and TrueCrypt.

FYI: Raxco ticked me off. I participated in the PerfectDisk 11 beta, which was non-functional. I posted around a dozen bug reports, which they dismissed as duplicates, and shipped a product with almost no changes from the non-functional beta. I actually tried Diskeeper 2010, despite bad experiences years ago. Diskeeper remains a total disaster. I'm going to check O&O Defrag 12, they added features which are similar to PerfectDisk. I haven't seen any free defragmenters which are complete and support VSS.

It's a bit outdated now, with Bitlocker in Win7. There are so many ways to encrypt, compress, and protect files, I don't even feel like I need another one.

blah blah
This is nothing any of us are going to want to bother with - TrueCrypt is out there for the truly paranoid... everyone else, C'mon. There is nothing on your computer needing encryption. You are not NASA nor the CIA, and trying to teach this bunch what encryption is or what it does is like trying to teach an infant how to pilot a 747. Ain't gonna happen. Go play your games and be happy - this isn't for you.

This version seems to be 64-bit only. At least that's what the error message in my Win7 Ultimate 32-bit is telling me.

Todays software focuses on security encryption with compressed files. However, if only you work with zip files, and not password protection of them , then this software is not for you. I tried a couple of the features associated with the software and they seem to work for the most part. File security is a big concern in todays market , and this does the trick. However, there are too many tools here to play with, and some may prefer the simplicity of a freeware called TrueCrypt, which is an open source encryption software.

One thing I cannot stress enough however is the backup of security keys. Should you have to format your computer some files can be rendered unusable!