Q: What is Kruptos 2?
A: Kruptos 2 is a very easy to use and powerful 256-bit file encryption utility that allows you to secure any sensitive files stored on your PC or portable storage device. Kruptos 2 includes a powerful file shredding utility, and the ability to generate self-decrypting files.
Q: What is Encryption?
A: Encryption scrambles
your data by using irreversible mathematical functions. It is simply the
encoding of data so that it cannot be read by anyone who does not know the
password that decodes it.
Q: Does "Single License" mean per person or per computer?
A: Per person.
As long as you are the only person using Kruptos you may install it on as many computers as you like. If another person starts using Kruptos you need to purchase another license.
Q: How are my files encrypted?
A: First, Kruptos uses the SHA256 algorithm to create a strong key - this is based on the password you enter. The key is then salted and stretched (upto 100,000 times). Kruptos then encrypts the contents of your files using the Blowfish algorithm in CBC mode.
Q: Is a copy of my password stored
in the Encrypted file?
A: No.
Q: So how
does Kruptos 2 know when an incorrect password is entered?
A: When encrypting a file Kruptos 2 produces a one way Hash based on the entered password, this hash is then encrypted using the same password, the encrypted hash is then stored in the encrypted file.
During decryption a new one-way hash is created based on the password you entered. Next we load the stored encrypted one-way Hash (from the encrypted file) and decrypted it using the same-entered password. We now have two Hashes, the one based on the password you entered to decrypt file and the stored one (which we decrypted with the same password). All we need do now is compare the two Hashes for the result.
To sum up:
During Encryption:
1. Create a hash based on your password
2. Encrypt this hash using your password as the key
3. Store the encrypted hash
4.
During Decryption
5. Create a hash based on your password
6. Decrypt the stored hash using the same password
7. Compare hashes
Q: I
forgot my password; can you help me to get the data back?
A: Unfortunately we are not able to help you. The key that is used for decryption is a big random value that was used to encrypt your file. We cannot guess it. You can guess the password but if the password is quite random and bigger than 8 characters it's also impossible.
Q: Can
I store encrypted files on recordable CD disks, CD-RW disks or USB flash disks?
A: Yes, you can. For CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW encrypt the desired files on your hard disk then burn them onto the CD or DVD. For USB, Floppy's or external hard drives simply encrypt the desired files on the device.
Q: Can
I install Kruptos 2 on a removable device and run it on any PC?
A: Yes, however, when you run Kruptos 2 on a PC other than the one you installed it on you will only be able to run the Kruptos 2 program, the Windows Explorer Plug-In will not be available as it needs to be registered on the hosted PC.
Q: Can I backup
encrypted data?
A: Yes. An encrypted file is an ordinary file and you can back up and restore it like any other file on your computer.
Q: How secure is
the shred utility?
A: Kruptos 2 shred complies with the Department of Defence clearing and sanitizing standard: DOD 5220.22-M The standard states that hard disk media is sanitised by overwriting with a character, then the character's complement, and then a random character.
Q: Does Kruptos automatically handle temp files from programs like Microsoft Office?
A: No. Kruptos only "knows" about the current file you are working with
Q: Why does the Windows explorer plug-in not work on my new Windows 7 64bit machine?
A: You have the wrong version of Kruptos installed. Make sure you have the 64bit edition installed. you can find it here: