CNET Editors' review
My Lockbox takes the built-in ability to hide folders in Windows a huge step further by adding password protection, drag-and-drop capability, hot keys, trusted apps list, notifications, skins, and more. My Lockbox Free protects one folder per system, and it has a banner ad. A premium upgrade protects an unlimited number of folders and eliminates the banner ads. We tried the free version.
During setup, My Lockbox prompts you to create a username and password, though you can click OK to run the program without a password since it's very easy to set one up later on. You'll also need to designate a folder for My Lockbox to protect. My Lockbox placed two icons on our desktop: one for the program and another for its multitabbed options. Both open the same small dialog, actually, the Control Panel, but clicking Advanced opens the tabbed options section, and clicking Simple closes it: simple indeed. The Control Panel is dominated by a large Status button and a field to designate which folder we wanted to protect. We clicked Advanced to open the program's settings. The Options tab includes Stand By/Hibernation and system inactivity settings as well as a surprisingly long list of skins. The Password tab has a Hint field, something not every such program has but should. You can configure how My Lockbox checks for Updates, too. Unless you're changing your password or adding applications to the Trusted list, you probably won't need to use the options often. When we closed the Control Panel, My Lockbox showed an optional balloon Notification and activated its system tray icon. Clicking the tray icon and entering our password opened the Control Panel again.
You can drop files into the My Lockbox desktop icon or your unlocked, open folder to protect them. We unlocked My Lockbox and dragged some folders and files and dropped them into it. Explorer showed a folder with no contents, at least until we unlocked My Lockbox and clicked Open in the Control Panel. When we locked our folder again, the contents disappeared, and the folder, too. You'd never know it was there.
Publisher's Description
From FSPro Labs:
My Lockbox is a privacy application, enabling you to hide and lock folders on your computer and protect them with password. The protected folder (lockbox) is hidden and locked from any user and application, no matter whether they are trying to get access - locally or from the net. To open the protected folder you must input a valid password. If you lost your My Lockbox password, you can request online password recovery. If you entered your email address when setting the password, you will receive the reset code by email and will get access to the protected files. My Lockbox is a very easy in use application. You can lock your folder and set your password right after the setup procedure - your folder will become hidden hidden and locked immediately. My Lockbox Control Panel lets you easily change program parameters: location of the protected folders, password, hotkeys, trusted processes and set many other options. A skinned user interface lets you choose from different themes to get the most comfortable look and feel of the software. The program is simple, effective, and best of all - has a free edition. Download it right now!
What's new in this version: Version 3.1.6 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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All versions:
3.7 starsout of 176 votes
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Current version:
0 stars Be the first to review this product -
My rating:
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"Useful unless you use Malwarebytes"
Version: My Lockbox 3.0
Pros
Simple interface, very convenient. I used it all the time on my old PC setup.
Cons
Can cause crashes with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
Summary
The big problem for me is that under Windows 7, using Malwarebytes, it crashes the system at startup, unless you disable Malwarebytes real-time protection from auto-starting (and it's very easy to forget to start it later). The publisher is explicit about this.
Also: be aware that there's no encryption, and the hidden files are easily found by starting the PC under Linux. -
"I like the lock folder"
Version: My Lockbox 2.9.7
Pros
works great for locking up folder with many in it, and hides the folder after locked.
Cons
once you lose the password, you can't uninstall it or get a new password. I miss my lockbox. I am locked out until get a new password.
Summary
great but locked out. If anyone can help let me know here.
I just reinstalled mylock box and got a new password so I get to use My Lockbox again. :) sweet!
Updated on May 6, 2013 -
"Great to hide what you don't want others to see"
Version: My Lockbox 2.9.5
Pros
Easy and efficient
Cons
Limited to 1 folder in free edition
Summary
Block access to specific folder(s) on you computer. Cannot be searched through Windows Search function...
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"Easy software"
Version: My Lockbox 2.9.5
Pros
Very easy to use. Free. Does what it says it will do. Only takes one folder but that can be worked around by making up sub-folders for various files in one main folder.
Cons
Only takes one folder.
Summary
This program is quick, easy to use, no learning curve and free.
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"Great one folder locker."
Version: My Lockbox 2.9.1
Pros
I works great! Locks folders and makes them disappear.
Cons
The only con is that it only locks one folder, not much of a con.
Summary
My Lockbox has worked perfectly since the first day that I loaded it. All updates went in without a hitch.
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"Works as advertized"
Version: My Lockbox 2.9
Pros
What I needed for a shared machine.
Hides desktop shortcuts to the locked folderCons
When unlocked the desktop icon does not appear in its original position, it appears as a New item.
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"Very simple, works just fine. No problems at all."
Version: My Lockbox 2.8.7
Pros
Very simple, works just fine. No problems at all.
Cons
Very simple, works just fine. No problems at all.
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"Avoid like the plague!!!"
Version: My Lockbox 2.8.7
Pros
There are no pros to this!
Cons
There are only cons to this!
Summary
This software attracts viruses and malware like moths to a flame. Avoid at all costs. Try Axcrypt or Truecrypt if you need to protect files or folders on your computer.
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"Not secure at all"
Version: My Lockbox 2.5
Pros
Seems to work, if you can call it a pro
Cons
No protection whatsoever
Summary
I was a satisfied user of my Lockbox for a few years, until I noticed I could access the folder from my linux partition without needing any password whatsoever.
Others have noted this. To sum up, this product is ABSOLUTE TRASH. -
"Good, but doesn't seem to work for admins"
Version: My Lockbox 2.8.7
Pros
Easy to use, good product.
Cons
Doesn't prompt password if you are signed in as an administrator (which is why I got it in the first place)
Summary
If anyone knows a fix please reply.
