If you have folders and files that you'd like to keep private, you should check out Folder Lock. It's not a free app, like My Lockbox, but it does have excellent configuration options and lots of ways of keeping important and private documents away from prying eyes.

How does it work?

Folder Lock gives you several options. Firstly, it's integrated with Windows Explorer, so if there's a file or folder you'd like to lock, simply find it and right click. From here, you'll have the option to lock or shred. If you open the program interface, you'll have loads more options, including the ability to lock and encrypt files, protect USB sticks, CDs and DVDs and encrypt email attachments.

What other features are there?

Folder Lock is a really flexible program and offers much more than just locking folders. You can also create virtual encrypted Wallets, for storing things like addresses and bank data, and also back up all of your encrypted data to the cloud. Folder Lock's configuration settings are also comprehensive and, obviously enough, password protected.

Overall opinion

Folder Lock is a great program. There are lots of free folder locking apps out there, but not many have the multiple features and ease of use of this one. Download it and give it a try - we think you'll like it.

Folder Lock is an excellent folder protection app. We heartily recommend it.

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Password Folder lets you lock files and folders so that they’re not only inaccessible to other users, but also remain invisible to other Windows applications. Plus the program is really easy to use: just drag and drop the folders and files you want to protect onto the interface, or choose the appropriate option from the context menu.

Other configuration options in Password Folder include the ability to block reading and/or writing access, so that the protected files can’t be read, copied, moved, deleted or modified. The Exclude list lets you filter those files you don't want to protect. Besides these, the program doesn’t include any other settings.

Password Folder is simple, effective and does what it says on the tin. Users expecting a more complex security app should probably look somewhere else.

With Password Folder you can easily protect your private documents from other people’s eyes.

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Free Hide Folder is a free application that lets you select a list of folders you would like to keep protected. By clicking the Hide button in the main menu, all the selected folders will magically disappear on your computer. In order to have access to them you will have to pass through the program which has a pre-selected password to enter.

It's all very easy to use and actually effective if you have sensitive files to protect, but I have little issues on the usability side. It's not possible in fact to hide a folder just from the right-click menu; you will always have to pass through the Add function of the program. Again, if you want to see a folder that has been previously hidden, a double click on it in the program's window is not enough; you will have to select the right button in the right-click menu of the application.

The program installs icons in the Start menu, letting other users know you are hiding something, so maybe a combination of keys to launch the application would have been more effective. I suppose you can always delete the Start menu link but then you will not have direct access to your folders.

Free Hide Folder is a useful free tool to protect and hide sensitive folders on your computer. Some usability issues may render slightly annoying using it, but they don't affect its efficiency.

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After installation, a destination folder is chosen to be locked, and a password must be given, along with a reminder question. It's then necessary to restart Windows. Once done, there is a My Lockbox icon, which when double clicked prompts you for the password, which in turn gives access to the destination folder.

Adding files to your locked folder is the same as with any folder, but when you 'lock' it, it will disappear. The locked folder is only visible when My Lockbox is open and unlocked.

My Lockbox is not serious security, as it does not encrypt files, but for average desktop users, it provides a solid privacy service. However, if government agents come knocking, looking for those secret extra terrestrial files you stole, you will be in trouble, and should have used an proper encryption application.

As well as basic configuration tools, there are a range of skins to choose from on My Lockbox, so My Lockbox fits nicely on your desktop. It's a breeze to set up, and as long as you don't forget your password, your documents won't get lost.

My Lockbox is ideal for users who want to obscure files from their irritating brothers or sisters etc, but won't protect you from serious hackers!

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USB Flash Security is a Japanese developed product, and it suffers from weird translations in places which is unnerving! However, USB Flash Security is not that hard to use once you've untangled the instructions. It is installed on your PC, and when you run it you can protect whichever attached drive you wish. Once protected, wherever you use the USB stick, you'll have to use a password to get in.

It's very effective, but does have some annoying side effects. First is that installation wipes your disk, meaning you have to back it up first. The second is that the security program only runs on PCs - so if you have it installed you won't be able to access that data on other operating systems.

USB Flash Security also requires administrative rights to run, which can mean some annoying user changes every time you want to open it.

USB Flash Security is probably more complicated than need be, but it will make your data safe from casual theft.

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This might be a laborious and time consuming process if you've got lots of data to protect - as encryption can frequently take time - but it doesn't have to be too painful with Kaka Folder Protection. The program is fast and straightforward and once installed, you'll notice a "lockdir.exe" in your folders. Double click on this to run the program and it instantly asks you for a password to encrypt the folder. You can choose to encrypt either the current folder or an alternative folder of your choosing. The program would have been better if it installed itself directly into Windows Explorer shell and required a right click to activate but it's really no big drawback to double-click the .exe.

The developers claim that the program uses strong encryption technology although it doesn't reveal exactly what this is. This may cause some concern for those who are worried about the strength of the encryption. Once encrypted however, the good thing is that the folders are protected against illegal copying, deletion or adding extra files to. The program also adds a padlock symbol to protected folders so that users can immediately see what is protected and what isn't it - which is OK unless you're trying to protect files discreetly.

A simple and easy to use program that doesn't reveal what kind of encryption it uses but should be enough for most home users.

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Once installed, the program create a default protected folder called Folder Vault, to which any file on your PC can be added. One of the neat features of the software is that it can be run in Stealth mode, to avoid being detected and attacked. There are plenty of cool options locked within the app, such as the ability to auto-shutdown your machine after a designated number of failed password attempts. Handily the program includes a feature whereby once you enter a password, all of the files and folders within your protected folder become unblocked, saving you a lot of time.

I found the program was great for blocking files thanks to its powerful encryption algorithms. However, I was a little disappointed with the Hack Prevention and Automation modes, as these did not seem to work at all when I tried them.

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First thing's first - this is no substitute for an anti-virus checker but it does offer you extra protection against the worst case scenarios in file deletion. It's mainly aimed at those that want to protect their files from kids or another unauthorised users that may purposely or accidentally delete files. Of course, if you are using Windows, I suggest the best way to do this is is to create an entirely new user profile for each person but if this is not possible, then this is an excellent alternative.

System Protect allows you to pick those files and folders that you want to protect such as important documents, your favorite music, vacation photos, movies etc. It's best used as an extension to your currently existing security suite. to keep your system stable and get automatic deletion alerts - a virus checker may inform you of a virus attack but it won't tell you whether the target is going to be deleted - System Protect will.

If you don't have much faith in your antivirus software or are worried about other users on your PC, then this is an excellent solution.

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If you lose or forget your password, you'll never lose your data stored on the protected media. Moreover, it works much more faster than any other software using cryptooperation mechanisms. The main purpose of the program is to restrict an ability of copying data between removable media and hard disk drives. You can also deny access to the media itself. This program also allows you to avoid many of headaches connected with unauthorized software installations from any removable media and it prevents data leaks through removable media.

Download DVD Device Lock 2.96 in Softonic