Folder Lock

CNET Editors' review

What's the biggest threat to your data? Is it snooping, or device theft, or hacking, or simple carelessness? How about all of the above? Suppose you could lock down your files, folders, drives, and devices with password protection; encrypt critically important data on the fly; store it on your smartphone or thumbdrive; and back it all up to a secure online storage locker that automatically syncs data and lets you access it on mobile devices? We'll tell you now that we're referring to one utility, Folder Lock, before we continue enumerating its features, which also include stealth mode, hack protection and logging (including forced shutdown); wallets for personal information like credit card numbers, file shredding, application-level passwords; and more. The latest release, Folder Lock 7, adds enhanced drag-and-drop capability, easier unlocking, and automatic backups of encrypted data to your online storage share. Folder Lock is free to try, with a 30-use limit.

Folder Lock installed smoothly in both our 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7 systems. On first run, you're prompted to create a master password and enter it twice, consecutively: it's important to get it right. Folder Lock's colorful, wizardlike interface resembles a lot of premium tools, especially backup utilities. The left sidebar accesses its main features -- Lock Files, Encrypt Files, Secure Backup, Protect USB/CD, and Make Wallets -- which are all pretty much self-explanatory, except Make Wallets (which are nothing like you made at summer camp). All these features are easy to set up, and Folder Lock's interface walked us through each step. Clicking Learn More opened the User Guide, an excellent Help file that explains everything about using Folder Lock. An Xtras menu offers a file shredder and history cleaner; both pull their weight.

Folder Lock 7's security tools make it worth paying for over a collection of similar freeware tools, if it's possible to assemble one. But the online storage and sync makes the crucial difference. It not only stores and syncs data but also creates fully portable, secure, encrypted Lockers. You can even convert Lockers into encrypted executable files you can distribute to clients with help from the Protect USB/CD feature.

Editors' note: This is a review of the trial version of Folder lock 7.1.1.

Folder Lock - Lock, hide, encrypt, and password-protect personal files, folders, drives - Download Video Previews:

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All User Reviews
  • All versions:

    3.7 stars

    out of 1,205 votes

    • 5 star: 704
    • 4 star: 103
    • 3 star: 43
    • 2 star: 63
    • 1 star: 292
  • Current version:

    4.3 stars

    out of 6 votes

    • 5 star: 5
    • 4 star: 0
    • 3 star: 0
    • 2 star: 0
    • 1 star: 1
  • My rating:

    0 stars

    Write review

Results 1-6 of 6

  • 5.0 stars

    "Easy and Effective!"

    June 13, 2013  |   By Jonpayn

    Version: Folder Lock 7.2.1

    Pros

    People with less expertise in computer can also use it effectively

    Cons

    Nothing worth discussing

    Summary

    I am a doctor and as doctors are known to be technophobic, I also did not know much about data protection and all this. A friend of mine suggested me to use Folder Lock; my first impression was like 'software and me! Are you serious'. Then he showed me how it works and I was happy to use it for my good.

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Folder Lock Is Sensational"

    June 13, 2013  |   By Salvatore_jacob

    Version: Folder Lock 7.2.1

    Pros

    Wonderful software

    Cons

    Have not found one

    Summary

    Folder Lock is probably the best in the field. I can move encrypted folders to the cloud. That is simply Amazing!!

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Precaution Is Better Than Regret"

    June 13, 2013  |   By Anthonymartin1

    Version: Folder Lock 7.2.1

    Pros

    When my data is completely secure, I do not have to regret

    Cons

    I have to work hard to find the con

    Summary

    My friend lost all the financial data and was really in a fix. I learned lesson from his incident and searched for some security software, I was lucky that I got Folder Lock, now I hope that I won't regret it.

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Folder Lock is fully equipped"

    June 13, 2013  |   By Williamfrancis115

    Version: Folder Lock 7.2.1

    Pros

    Folder lock has almost every tool that is necessary to tackle data breach

    Cons

    Doesn't matter

    Summary

    Every single document has some importance, the importance is realized when you lose it. The same case happened to me when my old piece of work was stolen by my pal. It did not harm me much but I was upset to see my work with his name. After that I started using Folder Lock and now I am carefree, my data has the best protection.

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  • 1.0 stars

    "Product has serious flaws and poor customer support."

    June 12, 2013  |   By jolafson

    Version: Folder Lock 7.2.1

    Pros

    Easy to install
    Good User Interface

    Cons

    Serious program bugs encountered during testing.
    Meager documentation
    Poor customer support

    Summary

    I have not had a good experience using the Folder Lock software. I downloaded and installed Folder Lock for testing and found several problems. I copied my entire My Documents folder to the Locker. The first problem is that not all my files would copy to the locker. I received a message that "The file <file name> has properties that cannot be copied to the new location". This affected about 2000 files. When I brought this issue up with Customer Support the only answer I received was "There may be certain restrictions from the file itself, and has nothing to do with Folder Lock application". That is not an acceptable answer since in many cases the files were only Internet URL links from my Favorites folder.

    Secondly, after copying the files to the locker, I observed that all the files were still in their original location on my hard drive. After copying files to the Locker, you must manually delete the files from their original location. This fact is never mentioned in the User Manual.

    Third, when I tried to create a USB portable Locker it created an executable file on the USB drive. When I tried to run the file as directed in the User Guide, the file did not run and was removed from my USB drive by Norton Security as a threat. I captured screen shots of the errors I received and again sent a message to Customer Service (email is the only way of getting support from NewSoftwares) informing them of the problem and offering to forward a document with the screenshots of the errors. I have heard nothing back from NewSoftwares.

    Based on my experiences with Folder Lock, it has some serious flaws, poor documentation, and an unacceptable level of customer support. It goes without saying I will not be purchasing the product.

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  • 5.0 stars

    "THAT IS WHAT I NEEDED"

    June 9, 2013  |   By michaelharris78

    Version: Folder Lock 7.2.1

    Pros

    The software makes the hidden files as they do not exist

    Cons

    Not really

    Summary

    I have found Folder Lock very helpful for me. It makes me hide and lock my extremely important records and financial reports. I am thankful to Newsoftwares that they such a wonderful software.

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Results 1-6 of 6

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