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What is CryptArchiver?
CryptArchiver is an application which allows users to encrypt data using strong cryptographic algorithms. Users create encrypted “drives” in which personal data is stored. There are absolutely no backdoors or procedure to access these encrypted drives without a password.
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What is encryption?
Loosely, encryption is the process of mathematically disguising and transforming data in such a way as to hide its true content. When data is encrypted, it is actually being scrambled into completely unrecognizable data and requires a password to access again. Think of your password as a key that unlocks your scrambled data and makes it accessible again. Encryption is simply the encoding of data so that it cannot be accessed by anyone who does not know the password – thus you can keep your data secure using encryption.
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What are the different types of encryption used by CryptArchiver?
AES and Blowfish are the types of encryption or “algorithms” used by CryptArchiver. The full version gives users the option between 256-bit AES and 448-bit Blowfish (both the highest bit sizes available for each respective algorithm), while the Lite version carries 128-bit AES. While a higher bit size generally means that an algorithm is harder to break, there are a wide range of variables that determine how strong an algorithm actually is. Both AES and Blowfish are extremely powerful algorithms and the debate of which is more “secure” is speculative at best. 256-bit AES is, however, the government standard for encryption.
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How do I start using CryptArchiver?
If you are using the Lite version, open the file labeled "CA_EDGELitemobile.exe" on your flash drive. If you are using the full version, open the file "CA_EDGEmobile.exe" on your flash drive. If it is your first time using the application, the on-screen wizard will guide you through the steps needed to set up your encrypted drive.
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What is the difference between CryptArchiver Lite and CryptArchiver Full?
CryptArchiver Lite only allows a maximum encrypted drive size of 25MB and carries the 128-bit AES algorithm. The full version has the ability to create drives up to 32GB (depending on the size of your flash drive) and carries both 256-bit AES and 448-bit Blowfish encryption.
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How do I upgrade from the Lite version to the Full version?
Orders can be placed online via the following address: http://www.secureyourflashdrive.com/upgrade.htm. After you have completed the online checkout process and your payment is approved, you will be sent an email with a link to download the full version of CryptArchiver. A user name and serial number needed to register the application will also be provided at that time. After downloading the new application, follow these steps to complete the upgrade:
- Insert your flash drive into your computer.
- Save the setup file "CA Full Setup.exe" to your flash drive.
- Double click on the icon.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install the application to your flash drive.
- Run the application "CA_EDGEmobile.exe" and select "Register" from the message prompt.
- Input the name and serial number sent via email and click "OK."
- Run the application again. If you entered a valid name and serial number, the prompt to register will no longer be visible and you now have full access to the application.
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Where is my encrypted data stored?
After the setup wizard is completed, an encrypted drive is created. This drive is stored in the form of a single file with the extension ".krp" and can be viewed within the folder "CryptArchiverFiles" on your flash drive. This file actually stores all of the data that you copy into the encrypted drive. When this file is loaded through the application, the drive shows up as a removable drive in "My Computer" (just like a flash drive shows up). When you copy files into this drive, the files are stored and encrypted within the .krp file you created.
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How do I access my encrypted data?
You will have to load your drive each time you run the application. Just click "Load Drive", select the file you wish to load from the dropdown menu, and input your password.
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What if I forget my password?
In order to maintain a high level of security, CryptArchiver does not offer any password hints. If you are unable to remember your password, there is no way to retrieve your data. If using a complex or hard to remember password, we recommend writing your password down and storing it in a safe place.
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What is the difference between "Automatically Resizeable" and "Fixed Sized" drives?
Automatic drives expand and decrease in size as you add and delete data. For fixed drives, you must determine the size of the drive prior to creating it because it's size cannot be modified later.
For example, if you create an automatic drive and place 50MB worth of data into it, the drive will be 50MB in size. If you delete 10MB worth of that data, the drive will be 40MB in size. If you create a fixed drive at 100MB and place 50MB worth of data into it, the size of the drive will remain 100MB regardless of what data you add or delete from it. Automatic vaults take no time to create while fixed drives require some time to set up before use (the larger the vault size, the longer it takes to create).
Automatic drives encrypt data at a slower pace in comparison to fixed drives, however. We recommend automatic drives for encrypting small amounts of data (such as WORD or EXCEL files), and fixed drives for encrypting large amounts of data (such as videos or other media).
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The time it takes to encrypt data using an Automatically Resizeable drive is very slow; what can I do?
If encrypting data using an automatic drive is taking too long, try creating a fixed drive instead. Fixed droves take longer to create, but are much faster at encrypting data.
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Some data in my encrypted drive has become corrupted and/or I cannot access it anymore.
When you are finished using CryptArchiver, it is very important to select "Unload and Exit" from the toolbar before unplugging your flash drive from your computer. This ensures that your data is encrypted properly. If you remove your flash drive while an encrypted drive is loaded, you are running the risk of your data within that vault becoming corrupt.
