EasyCrypt

There's nothing easy about EasyCrypt, which sports a plain interface that isn't intuitive and doesn't offer a Help file.

Some testers had problems with this program right from the start, and received error message throughout program operation. The initial user interface is tiny, plain, and unappealing, which is ironic considering the publisher is called Vivid Designs. It contains three menu options: Files, Tools, and Help. A new window opens for encrypting items, but despite the few options, it isn't clear how to get started. Instead of selected your own password, EasyCrypt generates a key for locking items. The process isn't very straightforward, though, and you need to make a few Key File selections without any guidance. The Help menu is nothing more than simple About information. Once you create a key and apply it to the file, access to the item is blocked. It's saved in a new format that can only be opened by launching EasyCrypt, selecting the file, and then selecting the Key File you created it for it. Unlike other encryption programs, you don't have the choice of removing the source file or creating self-extracting files so you can share them with others. This isn't a very secure method, since the program itself wasn't password protected.

It's free, but this program wasn't intuitive. It needs a few lines of user guidance, especially for the novice user. More experienced users will want more options than EasyCrypt has to offer. We suggest you skip this one--there are simply too many better encryption programs available.