DESlock+

DESlock promises to encrypt your files, folders, and e-mails. It also includes a file shredder. While it works fine, the program seems to be cobbled together.

Installing DESlock was a long process. When you first run the program, you'll have to set up a key. A wizard walks you through the process, which involves entering your e-mail address. It took us a few minutes to get acquainted with the program, because it isn't very cohesive. Accessing each feature requires a different action. Clicking on the taskbar shortcut reveals the program options; right-clicking on the file or folder reveals the encryption tool; dragging and dropping a file to the desktop icon shreds it. The file shredder worked just fine. The encryption feature also worked well. We right-clicked on a file, selected the encryption option, entered our key, and the program quickly produced the encrypted file on our desktop. Clicking the same file takes you through the decryption process, which was just as fast and easy. We were disappointed, however, to find that the e-mail encryption feature only works for Outlook. You can't set up Web-based e-mail programs, a feature found in other programs.

The 60-day trial is more than enough time to play around with the program. Still, there are plenty of free, fully functional encryption tools that handle more than Outlook.