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Additionally to these options, PowerKey features a secure wipe option that allows you to overwrite the free space on the volumes installed on the machine to prevent recovery of sensitive data. The option works fine if you want to secure delete files present on your disk. The number of passes can be set in the options menu and go as up as 200 overwrites.
I tested the application using the maximum number of passes on a total of 2MB. I must say that the process did not take as long as I expected (only 49 seconds for both of the files) and worked like a charm. On wiping the free space of a disk, the operation took longer (1'31''), but the result was also a succes.
Encrypting your data is also done speedily and the operation requires providing a password and setting an encryption algorithm
in the Options menu. One new element you will not find very often in similar softwares is saving your password in a BMP file. This way, your decryption should be made even if you lose the password.
Down the window there is a little box that reads “Create Self-Extracting Package”. Checking it results in creating an EXE file that once executed will prompt you with the password for extracting the secured file. The encryption process is also useful when you want to save some space on your computer because the encrypted files will be heavily compressed.
Going to Options menu, the user gets the chance to configure the software. The auto-compression level can be adjusted from the default level of 4 to 9. The temporary files the software has to make are located in the Local Settings folder, but the user can change it to a more convenient location. Wipe settings comprise only the number of passes for the overwrite operation.
Algorithm choosing is a serious job and the developer provides additional information on each encryption method. This way you can choose the one you think offers the best data protection. Cipher mode (CFB-8bit, CBC, CFB-block and OFB) on the other hand does not measure up the encryption algorithms as they are not ensuring message integrity and only confidentiality is secured. Some more up to date solutions would be CCM, EAX and OCB. Despite this little mischief, your data is as safe as it could be because a hacker will spend a he(a)ck of a long time striving with the brute force method and eventually will give up.
The flexibility of the application allows enabling deleting the original files and folders after the encryption is complete. The same option is available for encrypted files after the decryption is finished.
The Good
Very nice application if you put aside the looks and the price. There are eight encryption algorithms that make a good compromise in what concerns speed and security.
Auto-compression level can be set as high as nine.
The Truth
Nice and easy to use application. The trial period is 14 days long and there are no other limitations applied.
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