Data breaches and device theft are not uncommon, so encryption is essential for online data and privacy protection. Most online services use some kind of encryption, but you can get an extra layer of security with encryption software. Let’s see why you should use it and what types to focus on.
Why Should You Use Encryption Software?
Encryption software encodes digital data using an algorithm that scrambles information to make it unreadable. Only an authorized user can access and read that data using a decryption key. If anyone unauthorized steals or tries to access it, they wouldn’t be able to do anything with it because encrypted data looks like gibberish.
That’s why you need encryption software. It will protect your data in case of a breach or theft, keeping all your files, passwords, credit card information, and communications away from prying eyes.
Here’s what encryption software you should use in 2021.
File Encryption Software
File encryption software can safeguard any and all files you store in its encrypted vault. It’s an app that lets you upload photos, videos, documents, and any other files to the cloud or encrypt them directly on your device.
Some tools even let you share your encrypted files with other users without any risk of exposing them to potential criminals.
Password Manager
Password managers are some of the best tools for password protection. They can generate strong passwords for you and secure them with a master password. If you struggle to remember passwords, this solution is the one for you. It also helps create complex combinations that no one will be able to crack.
All your passwords are safe in an encrypted vault that no one can access. Without the master password, they’re entirely unreadable.
Encrypted Messaging Software
Encrypted messaging apps are excellent for protecting your online communications. They use end-to-end encryption to protect all your instant messages, audio and video calls, and all the files, images, videos, and voice notes you share via messaging apps. Of course, how far the encryption goes depends on the specific apps. For instance, some of them might not support video calls. Others might enable more robust encryption only after you start a special chat room. Thus, pay attention to these details.
That can be particularly useful for organizations that share sensitive business information via messaging apps.
Email Encryption Software
As the name suggests, email encryption software protects your email correspondence. But aren’t your emails safe and secure by default, especially if you use a popular service like Gmail? Not exactly.
Email service providers like Gmail use TLS (Transport Layer Security) encryption to protect your emails, but that doesn’t guarantee complete privacy. If the person you’re emailing doesn’t use an email client that supports TLS encryption, a potential hacker could intercept your email.
Furthermore, email providers can read your emails (they scan them for potential phishing attacks) and see your IP address.
If you want to get around that, email encryption software might be your best bet. It uses end-to-end encryption to secure your emails both before and during transfer, thus preventing any third party from accessing them.
Virtual Private Network
A VPN app is the best tool. It establishes a secure internet connection, encrypts your traffic, masks your IP address, and hides your online activity. If you want to connect to a public Wi-Fi network, a VPN will encrypt information about your activities to prevent anyone from intercepting them.
More and more businesses with remote workers rely on VPNs to ensure safe and secure remote access. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between an employee’s device and the company’s network, thus safeguarding all the sensitive data. That way, remote workers can view and share corporate data without risking exposure.