Top Best Encryption Software To Check Out In 2024

Encryption systems can stop unwanted access to the digital information belonging to your company. Fortunately, you can investigate software functionalities without making an upfront investment by using a free encryption solution. This article presents the best free encryption software to check out in 2024.

What is Encryption?

Encryption is a technique for safeguarding data that involves encrypting it so that only the owner of the relevant encryption key may access or decrypt it. Unauthorized access to encrypted data results in it seeming jumbled or unintelligible.

Furthermore, encryption is the process of changing data from a legible format to a jumbled piece of information. This keeps private information from being read by inquisitive eyes while it’s in transit. Documents, files, messages, and any other type of network connection can all benefit from encryption.

What is encryption software used for?

Encryption software is an essential cybersecurity technology that shields data by encrypting it into a format that can only be accessed with a decryption key. It functions as a digital lock to protect private company data from possible hackers, including customer information, financial records, and secret knowledge.

Unauthorized access to private information can cause significant financial losses as well as damage to the reputation of a business. Purchasing encryption software can improve the security of your company and help you comply with data protection laws. Tools for encryption are a vital resource for protecting company assets and upholding client confidence.

The Best Encryption Software for Businesses

The best encryption software for optimum security is listed below:

#1. AxCrypt

AxCrypt is a robust solution ideally suited for individuals and small enterprises, providing solutions for data security and protection. It offers convenient file access via a mobile app version and secures files with either 128-bit or 256-bit AES encryption. In addition to providing cloud storage, AxCrypt also adds encryption standards to cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and AWS. Additionally, there is a free version available for individuals to use, as the commercial version may be too restrictive. Note that the program is multilingual.

Pros

It has strong encryption.
It has a free version.
It has uncomplicated user functionality.
It has secured sharing via public-key cryptography
It has secure file deletion.
It has cloud storage cryptography.

Cons

It is mostly suitable for mobile use.
It is risky for PCs that are not locally protected.

#2. IBM Security Guardium

IBM Security Guardium is a framework for data security that makes encryption and decryption easier while minimizing performance effects. It consists of a group of security products designed to make data administration and protection easier. Along with a slew of other capabilities, it offers encryption solutions, activity tracking, data discovery, vulnerability screening, and data reporting.

Businesses in need of an all-in-one solution for data protection and management use IBM Protection Guardium, an on-request subscription-based service.

Pros

It offers GDPR, PCI DSS, CCPA, and HIPAA compliance and data reporting.
It supports 10,000+ agents.

Cons

It needs to improve its graphical interfaces.

#3. VeraCrypt

VeraCrypt is a business-grade encryption program that works with Linux, macOS, and Windows operating systems. It automatically encrypts data and creates network partitions using information like volume size, location, and predetermined hashing algorithms. It’s an open-source program that gets updated security features on a regular basis. VeraCrypt offers a simple version that is reliable, cost-free, and appropriate for some commercial requirements.

Pros

It provides protection against brute-force attacks.
It has a free basic version.
It has simple user functionality (once downloaded).

Cons

It has a confusing and difficult downloading process.

#4. NordLocker

NordLocker is a file encryption program that works with several platforms and adds encryption capabilities to cloud services in addition to safeguarding device data. Users can use the straightforward drag-and-drop functionality to add or remove files from encrypted NordLock folders.

Pros

It has an intuitive user interface.
It allows the secure sharing of encrypted files.
It has a free version available (with limited capacity).

Cons

It lacks security for encrypted file deletion.
It lacks two-factor authentication.

#5. Boxcryptor

Boxcryptor is an encryption software designed for people and companies that rely more on cloud storage than on-site services. It provides end-to-end encryption for thirty well-known cloud services by combining RSA and AES 256-bit encryption. Boxcryptor’s free edition offers two devices a restricted set of functionality.

Pros

It is cloud-based encryption.
It has a free version.
It has encryption features for 30 cloud services.
It also supports AES 256-bit encryption and RSA encryption.

Cons

It is not suitable for on-premise services.
It has a free version suitable for only two devices.

#6. CryptoForge

CryptoForge is a text-only encryption program that provides simple data protection and safe data erasure. The program offers an intuitive user interface and is simple to install. By right-clicking on the context menu, users can access functionalities.

Pros

Layers 1–4 encryption algorithms
It has a simple context-menu-based approach.
Filename and text encryption
It has secure data deletion.
Quality passphrase memory

Cons

Passphrase memory can be risky if used carelessly.
It has fewer features compared to other encryption software.

#7. 7-Zip

7-Zip encryption software is best for people and small organizations and offers high-quality encryption for data both in transit and storage. In addition to being an archive utility program, 7-Zip reduces storage requirements and speeds up transmission by means of file compression. The software is available for free on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Pros

It is free.
It has a simple user interface.
It is available on Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Cons

It lacks an additional range of features.
Not suitable for mid and large-sized businesses

#8. CertainSafe

CertainSafe is an effective encryption program with a cloud focus that guarantees adherence to industry standards. With the use of this program, users may interact or work together while storing private messages, photos, videos, documents, and more. Additionally, databases and business applications get protection from it.

Pros

It is cloud-based.
It has secured chat and file sharing.
It maintains past file versions.
Free trial

Cons

Selective approach
It is expensive.
Carelessness with passwords and security answers can result in the loss of all access.
It lacks office integration.

#9. Folder Lock

Folder Lock provides impenetrable encryption services for any device holding private information. With the use of strong security features, it enables users to safeguard their personal documents, audio files, contacts, photos, videos, notes, and more. Additionally, users may use this software to back up passwords, record unwanted login attempts, create a fake password, receive alerts about potential brute-force assaults, and more.

Pros

It has encrypted lockers for storing personal files.
It has a secured backup.
It possesses a file-shredding feature.
Self-decrypting files

Cons

The product serial number is set as the master password by default.
Locked files are unencrypted
You need a subscription to access the secured backup.

#10. CryptoExpert

CrytoExpert is among the most well-liked and potent options for Windows desktop software security encryption. It can back up a large range of assets, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files, email databases, and multimedia files. With the use of Cast, Blowfish, 3DES, and 266-bit encryption, it safeguards vaults of various sizes. Windows 7, 8, and 10 32- and 64-bit versions are compatible with it.

Pros

It has numerous powerful encryption techniques.
It has an easy user interface.
It features two-factor authentication.

Cons

It has no secured deletions
You can receive odd error texts.

Is there free encryption software?

There are many programs and services available that can encrypt files for safe transmission. Some of them have been listed above.

How do you encrypt data on your computer?

Right-click a file or folder and select Properties.
Select the Advanced button and select the Encrypt contents to secure data check box.
Select OK to close the Advanced Attributes window, select Apply, and then select OK.

Note that only the owner of the correct encryption key, such as a password, may decrypt it. File encryption is not accessible in Windows 10 Home.

Why do I need encryption?

You need encryption to protect the confidentiality of digital data kept in your computer systems or transferred over the internet or any other computer network.

Why is encryption important?

Your files will stay safe whether they are being stored or transported, thanks to file encryption. Encryption software is crucial for the following reasons:

Since hackers frequently target data stored on servers and PCs, file encryption shields your data from unauthorized users.
You may include personal data, such as your name, address, phone number, social security number, etc. when you create a new spreadsheet or document. Never leave this information unsecured, particularly if you intend to share it with outside parties.
You might not always be sure where the files you transfer across devices will end up. You might copy a file, for instance, from one computer to another, but you don’t know if the final device will be linked to the network. Therefore, you will need to encrypt the files before transmitting them, if that occurs. This keeps others from being able to access the files, even in the case that they are intercepted during transit.

Why Encryption is important for file security

Cybercriminals find it more difficult to intercept your data when it is encrypted. You become a less attractive target because they would have to compromise your encryption algorithm in order to gain access to your system.
You won’t be able to observe anything significant if someone gains unauthorized access to your system unless they use brute force techniques. Using brute force techniques, passwords are guessed until the right one is discovered. These techniques, however, require a lot more time than cracking the encryption algorithm.
Encryption aids in reputation protection for your company. It is considerably less probable that your customers will be inconvenienced when you store sensitive data in an encrypted format because nobody can access it without the right decryption key.

Why Email Encryption is important

Here are some reasons why you should consider using email encryption:

There is important information in your emails. An employee might receive a file from you that contains private financial information, for instance. Alternatively, you might give a client access to a document containing confidential data. Email encryption contributes to the security of this data.
Hackers can use spam emails to infect your computer with malware by using advanced spamming techniques. You may authenticate email senders with email encryption, which reduces the possibility that a worker will click on a dangerous link.
You might wish to send an email to more than one person. You must make sure that every receiver receives a distinct duplicate of the original message in order to accomplish this securely. If not, all copies will become unusable and encrypted.

Why is encryption banned?

The use of encryption may be strictly restricted or outright banned in the US and many other countries you may visit due to the possibility of it being used for terrorist or other unlawful activities.