Private Disk
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Developed by | Dekart |
| Latest release | 2.10 / October 25, 2007 |
| OS | Windows NT family, Windows 9x |
| Available in | 17 languages |
| Genre | Disk encryption software |
| License | shareware |
| Website | www.dekart.com/products/encryption/private_disk |
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[edit] Overview
Private Disk is a disk encryption application for the Microsoft Windows operating system, developed by Dekart SRL. It works by creating a virtual drive, the contents of which is encrypted on-the-fly; other software can use the drive as if it were a usual one.
One of Private Disk's key selling points is in its ease of use, which is achieved by hiding complexity from the end user[1] (e.g. data wiping is applied transparently when an encrypted image is deleted.) This simplicity does however reduce its flexibility in some respects (e.g. it only allows the use of AES-256 encryption.)
Although Private Disk uses a NIST certified implementation of the AES[2] and SHA-256/384/512[3] algorithms, this certification is restricted to a single component of Private Disk; the encryption/hash library used [4] [5], and not to Private Disk as a complete system.
[edit] Feature highlights
- NIST-certified implementation of AES-256-bit, and SHA-2. Private Disk complies with FIPS 197 and FIPS 180-2
- Disk Firewall, an application-level filter, which allows only trusted programs to access the virtual drive
- File wiping is applied when deleting an encrypted image
- PD File Move, a file migration tool, which will locate the specified files on the system and securely move them to an encrypted disk
- Compatibility with Windows 9x and Windows NT-based operating systems (including Windows Vista)
- Autorun and Autofinish automatically start a program or a script when a virtual disk is mounted or dismounted
- Encrypted backup of an encrypted image
- Password quality meter
- Automatic backup of a disk's encryption key
- Built-in password recovery tool
- Compatibility with 64-bit platforms
- Ability to run directly from a removable drive, requiring no local installation
[edit] Existing versions
There are multiple versions of Private Disk, which provide a different feature set:
- Private Disk Multifactor is a superset of Private Disk, providing the same functionality, adding support for biometric authentication, as well as smart-card or token-based authentication.
- Private Disk Light is a free version, it uses AES-128 and comes with a restricted set of features.
- Private Disk SDK is a software development kit that can be used to build a custom application which provides data encryption facilities.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Dekart company web-page
- Private Disk discussion forum
- Information about certified implementations of the cryptographic algorithms
