Sneaksy is a super-minimalistic, hidden folder solution which protects sensitive data from unauthorized access. The portable and open-source application works on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 platforms. Sneaksy is very simple to use, just download and launch to get started - there is no UI as such, on first run a small red-box will display on top-left corner of the screen where user inputs the desired password which will be visible so you can confirm what is entered. On subsequent runs you will need to use this password and it will no longer be shown, pressing enter will further shrink the password prompt in the corner unlocking the "Files" folder on desktop allowing authorized access. Click on the only visible "Red" handle in the corner to lock and hide the folder and exit the application.

We have reviewed two free folder hiding and locking utilities earlier named WinMend Folder Hidden and My LockBox, Secure Folder is yet another great alternative to these, allowing users not only to lock and hide folders but also providing an option for encrypting data with well-known secure AES Encryption algorithm for maximum security.

Allowing protection for unlimited number of folders in seven different protection modes the free utility is compatible with Windows 7, XP, 2003, 2008 and Vista, integration with Windows Explorer is also provided for fast locking and unlocking.

We often have to share our removable disk drives with friends and colleagues making our personal data prone to misuse and theft, to sort this out all we need to do is to create an hidden, encrypted and password protected partition on our USB drive for saving our personal data safely away from public eyes.

Rohos Mini Drive is a free USB flash-drive encryption utility letting users create hidden and password protected partition on any removable storage device, the portable encryption tool offers “on-the-fly” encryption even in traveler mode securing data efficiently.

Every computer user has some data that needs to be secured against unauthorized use, for example your saved password list, accounting data or some other secret stuff, I have shared free folder locking utility MyLockBox earlier on this blog which can be handy in such situations, but if you are looking for something more professional yet free CryptoExpert 2009 LITE is the answer, CryptoExpert allows you to create password protected encrypted virtual disks which works as usual disks having their own drive letters, the best part is that the data stored on a CryptoExpert disk is actually stored in a pre-configured container file making it possible to move or copy the container to easily backup your sensitive data, when used with automated online data backup and synchronization services this can be a great solution to secure and backup the data automatically.

CryptoExpert volumes works similar to any other disk-partition on your computer the only difference being that it requires password authentication before the disk becomes accessible, the utility works on Windows Vista/XP/2000 (both 32 Bit and 64 Bit) and allows users to choose from various encryption algorithms to secure the data.