decrypt

Decryption specialists PSW-soft's Guaranteed Word Decrypter (GuaWord) is a simple command-line utility for decrypting DOC files used in Microsoft's Word 97 and 2000 and Word XP, 2002, and 2003 in its default (40-bit) mode. It won't decrypt files from Word versions prior to 97, French versions of Word, Word files using newer 128-bit or 256-bit encryption, or other passwords such as read-only passwords; the developer offers other tools for those jobs. It doesn't recover passwords, either; it simply removes them. But for opening compatible Word files, it's a fine tool, if a bit old-school.

GuaWord'… Read more

The software world is full of PDF utilities from the four corners of the globe. PSW-soft's Guaranteed PDF Decrypter (GuaPDF) is an example; its developers' page is called Russian Password Crackers, which sounds like something out of the Cold War but in fact is a group specializing in cryptosecurity. GuaPDF is designed to remove various restrictions from PDF files, up to 256-bit key encryption, and to decrypt 40-bit key passwords of any length in any language. It can also harness the processing power of Nvidia CUDA-capable graphics cards to accelerate decryption.

GuaPDF downloads as a ZIP file but opens … Read more

PDF files hold so much information these days that it's inevitable that some of it will be worth protecting from prying eyes. A PDF encryption utility, like GetPDF's Encryptor Decryptor 3.0, can help you keep your files secure. It will not only protect your PDFs with passwords but will also allow or disallow a wide range of access options and changes, such as printing, copying, signing, merging, assembling, filling, or extracting files. It also decrypts PDFs, with the right password, and verifies the passwords of protected files.

This tool's interface is well-laid-out, with clear field descriptors … Read more

With version 14 of this venerable archiving tool, WinZip aims specifically at Windows 7 compliance and enhancements, and adds a few other new features, too. WinZip in Windows 7 gets extensive support for libraries, tools, and recent archives in the jumplist, previews in Windows Explorer for certain file types, and basic touch-screen support. Multitouch support is limited to rotating pictures previewed from WinZip archives.

WinZip 14 also includes minor security enhancements. New automatic wiping keeps confidential data secret by "shredding" the temporary file that WinZip creates by default whenever it opens an archive. The shredding uses U.S. … Read more

PrivyPad provides a method to encrypt messages. However, the program's complicated method of reading messages practically ruins an otherwise successful tool.

The program's interface looked instantly familiar, since it mimicks Notepad. While familiar, we still needed to find definitions for our encryption options in the Help file. We created a message just like a normal Notepad document, but were also able to quickly encrypt by simply adding a password with the toolbar icon. At this point we were confused because our message looked the same. It wasn't until we saved the program to our hard drive as … Read more

Encrypting your sensitive documents is a great way to protect against the wandering virtual eyes of Internet hackers. EncyptOnClick offers a simple way to turn away predators.

This freeware program's interface cuts right to the basics of encryption and eliminates any guesswork. A simple box offers a choice between encrypting files and folders and another offers a chance to decrypt folders and files. Encryption is a snap. Users just click on the box and find the folder or file they wish to secure by searching through a file tree. Once chosen the program asks for a password and asks … Read more

Erasing personal information has become serious business for computer users. File Waster offers you an opportunity to perform a variety of tasks to help keep unwanted eyes from looking at your files.

This is a no-frills program that may look intimidating to first-time users. Fortunately, it makes wiping your data or encrypting files very simple. By dragging the files into File Washer's display, users can decide what they would like to do. While this works well for single files, it would be a chore for large batches of folders and files. Fortunately, File Washer is equipped with a Cabinet … Read more

Encrypting and decrypting important files is a cinch thanks to this program's easy-to-navigate user interface. Users of all skill levels will appreciate its solid performance. However, you'll need to obtain a trial key to extend the trial period from a short 10 days to the standard 30.

Ashampoo Magical Security's user interface is extremely basic, but functional. A tree-menu on the left side of the window displays your files and folders for easy browsing. Command buttons at the top of the window offer different means of encrypting and decrypting files. You can encrypt files as self-decrypting EXE … Read more

While this product key finder is simple and easy to use, it won't give away the primary information most users will be looking for if they need Office Key Changer.

Office Key Changer offers a sparse, bare-bones interface with only three functions. The two most important functions--finding and changing the Office product key--have been completely disabled in the demo version of the software. The only thing this program offers is a readout of the current version of Office installed. This task is just a couple of clicks away through the Start Menu without downloading any third-party software.

If you … Read more