Encryption: Secure Your Data
Artwork by Samiul Islam
Writer: Kishwar Tahmid Razin
Do you want to secure your data sent over the internet or wireless network? or Do you want to secure your data on your pc or phone or any storage device? I think this blog will help you. Encryption is a process to secure data. The importance of encryption has increased after the government has been found spying on its citizens. In this blog, I am going to share some information about Encryption and Encryption Tools.
- What is Encryption?
Encryption is a method of converting data to an unrecognizable(encrypted) form. It is used so that only authorized parties can view it and encryption tools are used to encrypt data.
- Usage
Everybody wants to secure his sensitive data or information. That’s what the encryption tools do. You can encrypt files, storage devices, and data transferred over a wireless network or internet. You can encrypt a file, folder, or any whole volume utility using file encryption tools. Some file compression programs like Stuffit Deluxe and 7-zip can also encrypt files. Even common programs like Adobe Acrobat and Intuit Turbo Tax allow users to save password protected files. They will be saved in an encrypted format. Every encrypted file appears scrambled to anyone who wants to view it. The encrypted file must be decrypted to recognize it. Some encrypted files need passwords to open it. Again some files require a private key in order to view it.
- Router Encryption
Nowadays, maximum Wi-Fi networks are secured using WEP or WPA encryption. You need a password to connect to the network(sometimes username also). Once you are connected to the network, data sent between the devices will be encrypted. The router will also be encrypted.
- Online Encryption
Now, many websites and other online services encrypt data transmission by using SSL(Secure Sockets Layer). The websites that begin with "https://", they use HTTPS(HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) protocol. It encrypts all the data sent between the server and your browser. SFTP also does the same thing.
- Encryption Algorithms
There are many types of encryption algorithms. The most common are AES(Advanced Encryption Standard), DES (Data Encryption Standard), Blowfish, RSA, and DSA(Digital Signature Algorithm). But in case of extreme security, AES with 256-bit encryption is the best.
- What Type of Data We Should Encrypt
Mainly we should encrypt our personal data. Especially, those data, which can be used to identify us. It can be our Bank Account Number, Driving Licence Number, and other important stuff.
Anyone can apply for loans using your Bank Account Number. So, we all should encrypt these types of sensitive information.
- Encryption Tools
Encryption tools are very important because they encrypt data to an unrecognizable format. So that other users won't be able to view it. They can’t get through the data unless they know how to decrypt it. These tools use some encrypting algorithm schemes to encode the data to prevent unauthorized access to encrypted data. So, I will discuss some popular Encryption Tools.
VERACRYPT
Veracrypt is free and open-source software. It is used for disk encryption. It is compatible with WINDOWS, MAC OS, and LINUX. It is a strong software because it is also developed by the developer of TrueCrypt.
Here is the download link:https://sourceforge.net/projects/veracrypt/
BitLocker
BitLocker is an encryption tool. It is developed for Windows only. By default, it uses the AES encryption algorithm in CBC or XTS models with a 128-bit or 256-bit key. It provides encryption to the whole volume.
Here is the download link:https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.as
CERTAINSAFE
This is just like other cloud storage but the data that you will keep in the cloud storage will be encrypted. You just need to Log in to your Digital Safety Deposit Box account from any browser on any OS like Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android, etc. You can use it for your personal or business purpose. It's a very easy and secure solution for securing data.
Here is the web link: https://certainsafe.com/
TOR
Tor is a free encryption tool with online anonymity. It consists of five thousand relays so that the location of the users can't be traced. It focuses on the personal security of users.
Here is the download link: https://www.torproject.org/download/
LastPass
LastPass is a completely free tool. It uses the AES 256-bit encryption. It is compatible for iPhone/iPad, IOS, ANDROID, WINDOWS, LINUX etc.
Here is the download link: https://lastpass.com/misc_download2.php
FOLDER LOCK
Folder Lock is a free and secure folder locking software. It can be installed on Windows, Android, iPhone/IPad. It protects your file, photo, video, contacts, audio recordings, etc. It uses a password to access.
Here is the download link: https://folder-lock.en.softonic.com/download
AXCRYPT
AxCrypt is free software. It uses AES 256-bit encryption. It can be installed on WINDOWS, Android, Mac OS X, iOS.
Here is the download link: https://www.axcrypt.net/download/
DRIVECRYPT
DriveCrypt is a disk encryptor software. It virtually encrypts disks. It uses AES, Bowfish etc.algorithms. It uses 1334-bit(Military Strength) encryption. You just need to remember a master key to get access. It’s very fast also.
Here is the download link:
https://www.securstar.com/en/drivecrypt.html
OpenSSL
OpenSSL is an open-source encryption tool. It uses SSL and TLS protocols. It's written in the C programming language. It can be run on LINUX, UNIX, SOLARIS, and MAC OS X.
Here is the download link: https://www.openssl.org/
KeePass
KeePass is a free open source software. It is also a password management tool. It’s available for Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Mac OS X, Windows Phone. You can store a password, username as well as other data. All these will be stored in the encrypted database of KeePass. It uses AES 256-bit encryption. The database of KeePass will be protected with a single master password. You only need to remember the master key.
Here is the download link: https://keepass.info/
STUNNEL
Stunnel is an open-source encryption tool. It ensures that both the clients and servers get secured encrypted connections. It can be run on LINUX as well as on UNIX.
Here is the download Html: https://www.stunnel.org/index.html
These all are popular encryption tools. There are also some other encryption tools. It isn’t possible to write to all of them. You can also check out them also.
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