If you want to encrypt a file so it can’t be opened without a password, you’ll need to use encryption software. Encryption is a way of protecting data from unauthorized access by encoding data to make it unreadable unless the file is decrypted with the correct key or password.
There are a variety of encryption tools available for different platforms. Many of these tools use symmetric-key algorithms, which means that the same key is used for both encryption and decryption. Some use public-key cryptography, which requires two different keys, one public and one private, and helps protect against attackers who may have gained access to the public key.
The most common form of encryption used today is Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), also known as Rijndael, which is a symmetric-key algorithm used to protect sensitive data. AES is used in many applications, such as secure web transactions, and is generally considered to be a highly secure standard.
Another type of encryption is Pretty Good Privacy (PGP), which is an asymmetric-key encryption system that uses both public and private keys. This makes the system more secure, since even if the public key is compromised, the data can still be accessed only with the private key. PGP can be used to encrypt emails, files, and entire hard drives.
To encrypt a file on a Windows OS, you can use Bitlocker, which is a built-in encryption feature that comes with certain versions of the OS. It works with the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) to secure the drive from unauthorized access.
On a Mac OS, you can use FileVault, which is Apple’s built-in encryption feature. It supports the XTS-AES-128 encryption algorithm and uses the TPM chip to protect data from unauthorized access.
If you want to use third-party encryption tools, there are several available on the market. AxCrypt is a popular open-source encryption tool that offers AES-128 and AES-256 encryption. It also allows you to encrypt specific files or entire folders, and it has an Explorer shell extension that makes encrypting files easier and more streamlined.
To encrypt a file using AxCrypt, launch the program, and select “Encrypt.” You will then be asked to select a file to encrypt and enter a password. After selecting the file, AxCrypt will generate an encrypted version of the file and delete the original. The encrypted file will have a randomly generated name and the file extension “.axx.”
When you want to open the file, launch AxCrypt, and select “Decrypt.” You will then be asked to select the file and enter the password that was used to encrypt it. When the correct password is entered, the file will be decrypted and opened.
Encrypting a file with a password is a good way to keep its contents safe from unauthorized access. It is important to choose a strong password, as weak passwords can be easily guessed. It is also important to remember the password, as forgetting the password will render the file unrecoverable.