Works so good not even the government can crack it!
Written: Jun 25 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to use and extremely secure.
Cons: Doesn't encrypt files automatically when sending attachments via MS Outlook
The Bottom Line: Hands down the best way to encrypt everything from e-mail to instant messages.
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| MLF_Productions's Full Review: Network Associates PGP Desktop Suite 1.0 (License ... |
:INTRO:
I must say that the PGP corporate utilities are the best thing to come along since individually packaged cheese slices.
:WHO NEEDS IT?:
Quite simply, you. Now I know what you're thinking, why the heck do I need 4096bit encryption for my e-mail? Well quite simply, because you don't think that people can read your e-mail. Well I hate to tell you this but there are people that can. The system administrators of your ISP, if they wanted to, could read your e-mail. This is especially easy on Unix systems.
:WHAT IT DOES:
In order to keep prying eyes out of what could be private information, one should encrypt their e-mails. The desktop utilities does just that. Just before you send a message, the e-mail plug-in will encrypt your message. Plug-ins for Outlook (Express) and Eudora are included and installed then you install the program.
The encryption can be up to 4096 bits, which, if someone attempted to brute force (try every combination) would take a very, very, very, very, very long time. (I can't go into the details now, but 2^4096 is a really big number.)
There is also a plug-in for ICQ that will allow you to send ICQ messages that have been encrypted with this powerful encryption scheme. (Well I shouldn't say 'scheme' singularly, since there is a multitude to choose from.)
One of the features that I like the best is the ability to make disk volumes. Bascially these are one really big file, that when mounted act just like another HD in your system. Yes they are slower because all the data in and out have to be encrypted/decrypted, but the security you get from it is very nice.
In fact, I have many CDRs that have these 'PGP Disk Volumes' on them. When I stick the CDR in the drive, I simply double click the large encrypted file and enter the passphrase. Then, a couple seconds later I have access to the encrypted files as if they were just sitting on a CD. You can also use this type of encryption on CDRWs to essentially make really big encrypted floppies.
:WHERE TO DOWNLOAD THE EVALUATION:
Simply go to www.pgp.com and you can 'try before you buy' the latest version of the 'Corporate Desktop Utilities'. There are multiple packages that you can buy, with varying levels of support, and that will change the cost of the program.
:WHY I USE IT:
Quite simply, if my house were to be robbed, and my computer stolen, I sure as heck wouldn't want whoever took my computer to have access to my important information. For example, I keep my MS Money files in an encrypted file so that you need my password to access it, not to mention the naughty pictures of me and my wife!
:HOW CAN YOU JUST SIT THERE:
With projects such as Eschelon and Project Carnivore (just two of the Government's attempt to monitor us) and those of you with corporate laptops (i.e. your boss gave it to you to work on) you really should use this program. I know it sounds like a lot of money, but really, isn't it worth it in this day and age?
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
MLF_Productions
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Location: Sacramento, CA
Reviews written: 25
Trusted by: 10 members
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