ghlighted section of text that you select from an open document. Some email encryption programs include plug-ins that add buttons to your program menu, so you can encrypt a message with literally the touch of a button. These interface alternatives can be important for first-time users since they can make the software easier to use. They are also important for anyone who uses encryption daily, since a cumbersome encryption and decryption process may deter use.
When you try an encryption program, check for the features that you need (e.g. encrypts your email, encrypts your files, etc.), as well as its ease of use.
Some features you may find useful in any encryption software:
Some features you may find useful in email encryption software:
Some features you may find useful in file encryption software:
You should also become familiar with any encryption features that may have been built into your computer's operating system. If your computer's operating system includes features that provide the level of security you need, it may not be necessary to look for those features in third-party encryption software programs.
Features offered by:
Mac OS 9 includes some built-in encryption features that are relatively easy to use: Apple File Security and Apple Verifier. Located in the Security Folder (which is in the Applications Folder), these features allow Mac users to encrypt and decrypt files on their hard drives, and to verify the authenticity of files containing digital signatures. To encrypt or decrypt files, drag them onto the Apple File Security icon. To verify digital signatures, drag them onto the Apple Verifier icon. The Apple Help menu includes information on how to use these features.
The Unix security system is robust and complex. It employs a system of access control lists to determine which users have access to a given file or folder, and usually requires that users log-on to use the computer. (Keep in mind that access controls are not the same as encryption.) To learn more, check the following link: http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Secure-Programs-HOWTO/features.html
Simply put, Windows 9x was not designed for robust security. Any user can alter or remove any file not currently in use, or even reboot into DOS from Windows 95 or 98 and have unrestricted access to any file on your computer. No third-party program can protect your data if the operating system has no built-in security features. We advise Windows 9x users who require a secure environment to install a WindowsNT-based operating system, preferably Windows 2000. (Privacy advocates have raised concerns about the new operating system that Microsoft is about to release, Windows XP. See http://www.epic.org/privacy/consumer/MS_complaint.pdf and http://www.epic.org/privacy/consumer/MS_complaint2.pdf for more information about this.)
The security tools in Windows NT are available on computers using the NTFS file system. Since NT is also used on computers with the FAT16 or FAT32 file systems, not all computers using the Windows NT operating system will have the security features described below. You can check your hard drives' file system by right-clicking the drive icon and viewing the "Properties" window. On Windows NT systems, many security settings can be reviewed and edited from the Group Policy Editor. Press "Start," press "Run," type "gpedit.msc," and hit "Enter"; the settings are under Computer Configuration / Windows Settings / Security Settings. (Again, keep in mind that access controls are not the same as encryption.)
NT-based operating systems require a log-in to use the computer. The log-in requirement goes hand-in-hand with file permissions and encryption/decryption permissions (described below). Individual users or groups of users can be restricted from or given access to specific files or documents by using the Group Policy Editor.
Hard drives formatted with the NTFS file system rely on "user permissions" for security. Every file and folder has an owner and an access control list (edited by the owner or those conferred editing power by the owner) to indic