If it was a bike - Magical File Shield just feels like Magical File Encrypt that has been painted a different color and this one comes with bell on the handlebars.

If Video converters can release a different "product" for each codec (source and destination) then this is a precedent I really don't like.

I believe this should just be an update to "Magical File Shield". Announcing a "new" product - does sound better than releasing a 1.2 or 2.0 version update of the old product - but not necessarily better for users - making choice more difficult than it needs to be.

I'm guessing that coming soon will be "Magical File Protection" - with new menus and screen layouts, and a different encryption algorithm available (but the program will essentially do the same thing as it's predecessors).

BuBBy  –  15 years ago  –  Βρήκατε αυτό το σχόλιο χρήσιμο? ναι | όχι (+90)

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Visible Pros: Can extract these programs on remote machines requiring only the password.
Visible Cons: Files are immediately identified as encrypted, by this program. Could provide easy-cracking if this program has any flaws leading to insecurity.
-Appears best for: encrypting files to send to other people over insecure channels (IM file transfer, email).

See also: TrueCrypt (Free, Open-Source) - creates a "Virtual Encrypted Disk" within a file and mounts it as a real disk. Can place files within and then close said disk, leaving it encrypted.
Pros: File contains no specific tags or header/footer, thus unidentifiable as an encrypted file by TrueCrypt.
Cons: Requires TrueCrypt to decrypt.
-Appears best for: Desktop encryption, hiding files.

Gedrean  –  15 years ago  –  Βρήκατε αυτό το σχόλιο χρήσιμο? ναι | όχι (+49)

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#1 Bubby,

You are right in a sense. You see after the developer of Magical File Encrypt, Arzoosoft, read my review on his software, he asked me for suggestions on how to improve his software. I told him to add the ability to create self encrypting/decrypting standalone files. From there he decided to create a new program, Magical File Shield, instead of improving upon his old because. I was actually surprised myself, but his reasoning behind it was pretty sound, that it would take more work to retrofit MFE then create a whole new program.

Anyway, I have had a review for this software half written sitting as a draft for a while now; finally find the excuse to finish it now.

-Ashraf

Lakjin  –  15 years ago  –  Βρήκατε αυτό το σχόλιο χρήσιμο? ναι | όχι (+30)

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This saves your encrypted files as an executable! YAY!!! So later you can use it without this program being installed, or on a different machine! Just needs your password! For me, that's THE BIG THING!
I once had an encrypted file I locked myself out of, because I had uninstalled it's encryption program, & forgot I had made an encrypted file with it! And of course, it was my work records! Not that month's, just the 4 years previous! I found it's encrypter program online a couple weeks later after many searchs, but had to buy the updated program to get my work out of encryption jail. lol :) If an error can be made, I have probably done it! :)Did the same with a backup program once.
A backup or encypted file is useless if you MUST use the same program to free your data!
THANKS MUCH for a great program! KEEPER! :)

Skye-hook  –  15 years ago  –  Βρήκατε αυτό το σχόλιο χρήσιμο? ναι | όχι (+29)

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The Good
* Simple and easy to use.
* Creates standalone self decrypting/encrypting executable files.
* You can batch encrypt or decrypt.
* You can set the standalone file to open, run and then re-crypt automatically or you can extract the file from the standalone.
* Uses the AES 256 method/algorithm.
* You can chose between a "protected" prefix or suffix.
* You can the option to keeping your original source file or deleting it after encryption.


The Bad
* Not Open Source
* Encryption/decryption/extraction gets very slow as the file size enters in the MBs.
* If the filename of the file that is to be encrypted is long, running/extracting the file will have problems.
* You can only add/drag + drop one file at a time.
* The first time I run the program after installation, drag + drop does not work (first time only - just restart program).
* By default, the original source file is left after encryption.
* No batch 'decrypting'.
* No option to automatically delete standalone executable if you don't want it after you extract the contents.

Registration and installation
Registration is odd a bit unorthodoxy. You must run Activate.exe then you will get the registration name and code that you must use to register this software. You can right click -> copy the registration code from that window and paste it into the registration box from the program.

Free Alternatives
TrueCrypt
AxCrypt
Kruptos 2

Verdict
Before I say anything else let me say TrueCrypt will always be king when it comes to encryption. There is no program that can provide the features and the security of TrueCrypt. If you need the highest level of security and peace of mind, go with TrueCrypt. However, TrueCrypt does not provide the ability to create standalone self executable files so it is not really a 'true' alternative to Magical File Shield. That being said, while I gave File Defender a thumbs up, I have to give Magical File Shield a thumbs down for the reasons mentioned above. However, MFS is a new program and the developer is constantly developing and improving it (he has big plans for it - trust me) so it will most definitely become a good competitor in the future. But for now, my recommendation for today would be either get AxCrypt or Kruptos 2. First I suggest AxCrypt because it is open source, trusted, and works well, even if it lacks the ability to automatically decrypt files like MFS does. If you don't like AxCrypt for some reason, then go with Kruptos 2 which is a viable alternative; just keep in mind Kruptos 2 is not open source (it is freeware though) and it is not officially supported on Vista.

Full Review: Click here please.

Lakjin  –  15 years ago  –  Βρήκατε αυτό το σχόλιο χρήσιμο? ναι | όχι (+25)

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