Free AES256 File Encryption Software.

[GlyndwrBartlett]

Can anyone please recomend a good free AES256 file encryption software.

[jseidel]

Dekart Private Disk Lite (http://www.dekart.com/products/encryption/private_disk_light/)
Cryptainer LE (http://www.programurl.com/cryptainer-le-free-encryption-software.htm)
A couple for ya . . .

[HAN]

A few thoughts...

First, encryption programs come in several varieties. Programs that work with individual files, programs that handle files &/or folders and programs that can encrypt/decrypt file containers, partitions or entire discs. The end purpose of your needs would help to determine what program might work best for you. I use at least 3 different programs on a semi-regular basis. One program alone doesn't do everything I want to do.

Second, based on everything I have ever read, the AES and the 256 bit items you mention have much less to do with the overall protection level you can achieve than do the strength of the password you use and how well the encryption algorithm (used by the program) is implimented.

Programs I use...

dsCrypt (free, standalone, at the file level only) http://members.ozemail.com.au/~nulifetv/freezip/freeware/ (2nd listing down)

AxCrypt (free, needs to be installed, works for both files and folders) http://axcrypt.axantum.com/

EncryptOnClick (free, can be installed or run as standalone, works for both files and folders) http://www.2brightsparks.com/freeware/freeware-hub.html

TrueCrypt (free, Win 2k or higher, normally installed but can run as a standalone under an Admin account, works as a container-type encrypter and can also be used to encrypt partitions or entire drives) http://www.truecrypt.org/

Honorable Mentions...

Cryptainer LE (A good program but I do not use it anymore) (free, all versions of Windows, normally installed but can be somewhat standalone (it leaves some remnants behind when ran as standalone - thus my comment it's "somewhat", it is also a container-type program similar to TrueCrypt except Cryptainer LE is size limited (paid version is not size limited.)

LockNote (I really havn't used it but it does provide simple, basic encryption for text notes, Windows 2k/XP, standalone, one text file at a time.) http://locknote.steganos.com/

[SuperSparks]

And PGP is always worth looking at too:

http://www.pgpi.org/

[GlyndwrBartlett]

Thanks for the help. I intend to use it to encrypt individual files and folders. I will ensure that I use a long and hard to guess key.

Regards,

Glyn