Sofonica Folder Soldier

Ever since our teenage years, when we had folders full of journals and unsent love letters, we've wished for a way to password-protect folders on our computer. Third-party software is really the only way to do this, and Sofonica Folder Soldier is one such option. Although the program works, we have definitely seen similar programs that we like better.

The program's interface is plain and fairly intuitive, which is a good thing, because there's no Help file. When the program is first launched, users are asked to select a password; this is the password used to access all folders that Folder Soldier locks. Users then select the folder or folders they want to lock by navigating to them in a somewhat restrictive and irritating drop-down menu within the program. Once users have selected the desired files, they simply click the Lock Folders button, and the program does its thing. Clicking on a folder that's locked does not prompt the user for a password. Rather, users get an error message stating that the selected file is not accessible. The only way to unlock and access a folder is through Folder Soldier. Overall, the program works fine, but we have no idea how secure the locked folders actually are; nowhere does the program or publisher's Web site even mention what kind of encryption is used. It might do well enough to keep a nosy younger sibling out of your diary, but we're not sure we'd trust it for sensitive business or financial information.

Sofonica Folder Soldier installs and uninstalls without issues. We recommend this program with reservations.