Cloudfogger 1.5.49

Overview

Cloudfogger is a file encryption software that supports uploading of the encrypted data to several online storage services such as Dropbox, Skydrive and Google Drive. You can even encrypt your email attachments from within Microsoft Outlook and rest assured that only trusted recipients will be able to access them. Encrypting the desired files is an easy process that finishes quickly and without problems.

Installation

In the first step of the setup procedure you will be prompted to choose the type of installation you want to carry out, Standard or Advanced. Their main difference is that in the Advanced mode you will be able to choose installation directory and exclude an additional component that is included in the Standard mode (the Cloudfogger Addin for Microsoft Outlook). Regardless of the settings you make, the installation won’t last long and in a few moments you will be able to run Cloudfogger.

The program is supported by all versions of Windows, and there are also versions available for Mac and Android users. There are plans for an iOs/iPhone/iPad version in the future too.

Interface

The first time that you run the program you will be asked to create an account for Cloudfogger, using an email address and a few other details.

As for the interface, there is no main window that you can work on. This is to simplify the task of encrypting files, since all you have to do is right click on the files or folders you want to lock and then choose the Coudfogger option from the context menu.

There is a preferences window, which has nothing more than a few settings that you can change.

Pros

No need to launch any executables and browse for the files you want to encrypt. As long as Cloudfogger is running in the background, just right click on any files or folders and from the context menu move your mouse over the Cloudfogger option, which will open a sub-menu. Choose the Fogg Folder (auto-encrypt) option and that’s it. The selected items are now locked. In a similar way you can decrypt files. To encrypt the files, 256bit AES encryption method is used.

There is a bridge between Cloudfogger and online storage services that allows you to upload the encrypted files without hustle. For example, if you want to encrypt your Dropbox, simply encrypt the Dropbox folder like any ordinary folder in your drive. The uploaded files in Dropbox will now be encrypted as well. Other services that Cloudfogger can integrate with are Skydrive and Google Drive.

An optional add-on is available for Microsoft Outlook that gives you the ability to lock the attached files before dispatching your emails.

You can share encrypted files with others just by adding their Cloudfogger email address in the Cloudfogger folder shares list.

Cons

You can’t have more than 5 folders locked with Cloudfogger at the same time.

Alternatives

TrueCrypt is an open-source data lock application for Windows (Vista/XP), Mac OS X and Linux. In contrast to Cloudfogger, it doesn’t have any limitation on the number of items you can lock. However, integration with Dropbox is not supported. Folder Lock is another file protection software with a lot of encryption capabilities but unlike TrueCrypt and Cloudfogger, this one is not free.

Conclusion

Very good program for locking files/folders in your computer and allowing only certain people to view them. If it were not for the limitation on the number of folders you can have locked at a time, it would have been an excellent choice.