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docLock

Security Software > Security - Encryption Tools

Secure Your Files, Folders, And Documents!

Personal Computer.

It's a funny phrase.

On one hand, computers are becoming increasingly representative of our personal lives, from finances to photos from emails to status updates, there's a lot of ourselves on our computers.

On the other hand, often it's not just you who's accessing your personal computer. Friends check email, nieces and nephews play online games, and the IT guy at work "fixes" something for you while you're on lunch break...

So how do you keep what's truly personal on your personal computer, well, personal?

docLock's got a lock on that!

Beyond simply applying passwords to folders, docLock offers a wide variety of security features that are flexible and effective. It won't interrupt your work flow, or leave you locked out of your own folders.

docLock knows your computer is personal, and docLock intends to keep it that way!

Review Written by Andrew Dick
docLock

for PC

40
%
OFF
$29.95
RETAIL $49.95
Platforms: Windows XP, Vista (32 and 64 bit), 7 (32 and 64 bit)
Prices are subject to vendor's pricing and may change

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The Conversation
Features
The Fine Print
Email Updates Load 33 Older Comments
jjma79 maa looking forward to us it !
Oct 30 2012 at 11:47am
Peter Thompson Been looking for something like this for ages! Thanks
Oct 31 2012 at 2:02am
Pulok Dutta At last,Wow. Thanks to Bits.
Oct 31 2012 at 8:36am
Peter Martin What are choice encryption settings and cipher mode
I am encrypting mostly word files
Nov 1 2012 at 2:02am
Thomas Evans Can a folder be locked or only files?
Nov 1 2012 at 7:07am
Peter Thompson is this still coming as I noticed its not on any of the emails now
Nov 3 2012 at 7:23am
SAUD HSNE thank you
Nov 4 2012 at 6:26am
ammar sbah thank you
Nov 4 2012 at 9:52am
John Vance I'm game
Nov 6 2012 at 4:55am
Nick Forcier Hi Thomas - You can lock a whole folder or just individual files.
Large Software Vendor - Nov 6 2012 at 5:23pm
Nick Forcier Hi Peter Martin - docLock will work great for you for using word files. some of our encryption settings include; Blowfish, cast, 3des, des, Gosst, RC2, Rijndael, Twofish etc. Our Cipher modes include; CFB,
CBC, CFB-block, OFB. Hope this helps.
Large Software Vendor - Nov 6 2012 at 5:26pm
RemoJoe Reviews at Amazon indicate program loses files and/or leaves original unencrypted files on disk. Has this been addressed in current version?

http://www.amazon.com/Lar...B008JJAGKI
Nov 6 2012 at 9:42pm
Antoosa The policy states that DocLock is licensed "per user," which means that users should be allowed to install program on "all owned computers.". But, policy says that "transfer of license to another owned computer is not allowed," which is not a good thing.

Developer, please clarify license policy. Thank you.
Nov 7 2012 at 12:19am
Phil Tobin Interesting offer so I'll download and road test.

But this is yet another example of self-defeating protectionism: the license terms are wholly inconsitent with computer ownership and usage nowadays seeing as we've long gone from the era when a single household could only afford a single computer.

At the full retail of $49.95 I'd want a personal license covering all the computers in my possession -- in my case, two desktops and two laptops -- not have to fork out a truly massive (and preposterous) $200 or so.

When will developers wake up to the fact that restricted licensing means restricted business. . ?
Nov 7 2012 at 1:16am
Martyn Green What happens when you replace your computer? According yo your policy the program cannot be reinstalled on the new machine. Is this true?
Nov 7 2012 at 4:44am
D Lawrie Is the locked file or folder then inaccessible
a. from Safe Mode (i.e. independent of a running process)
b. from a boot disk

Vital issues which discriminate these products.

There's nothing about this I can find on the site, and no email for support, just a US phone no. Shouldn't need to be try it yourself to find out.

License per user? No transfer? So how about.. reinstalling on a different disk on the same laptop..e.g? Or the replacement laptop when one dies?
Nov 7 2012 at 4:47am
D Lawrie Can you recover a locked document from a disk from a laptop when that laptop has died?
Nov 7 2012 at 4:47am
Nick Forcier Hi Romo Joe - We have put in a safe guard to accidentally loosing files for first time users. To delete the original unlocked file after locking a file, simply select "Delete Original File" in the options menu.
Large Software Vendor - Nov 7 2012 at 7:14am
Nick Forcier Hi Antoosa - Yes you are correct docLock is a one license purchase, which means that it is good for one home PC. If you would like to place the product on multiple PC's you can go with the 3 PC version.
Large Software Vendor - Nov 7 2012 at 7:16am
Nick Forcier Hi Phil Tobin - Actually you can purchase a 3 PC license which would be good for all 3 PC's in your home minus one, for $49.95. That is our everyday price for a 3 PC license.
Large Software Vendor - Nov 7 2012 at 7:17am
Nick Forcier Hi Martyn Green - If you replace your computer, you can certainly redownload docLock onto the new computer an unlock any files you have locked. If you have the 3 PC license you will be fine to use on any one of 3 computers you own.
Large Software Vendor - Nov 7 2012 at 7:19am
Nick Forcier Hi D Lawrie - If you are able to recover files from a PC or laptop that has died, then yes you can recover any locked files. You are able to open locked files on any computer whether you have docLock installed or not. docLock does not need to be installed on a PC in order to unlock any files, therefore you can also transfer locked files to other computers, via email, flash /portable drive etc.
Large Software Vendor - Nov 7 2012 at 7:24am
Winter Wolf Well I installed and tested this but have now uninstalled it. I did select the options to delete the original files after locking, and to delete the locked file after unlocking, but I found that the software did neither. The original unlocked files still remained after locking, and the locked file still remained after unlocking. So major fail. I also found the software needlessly cumbersome to use when compared to other competitors. In a field as crowded as this one is with good freeware options, I think your software would need to offer something unique and compelling in order to convince me to make a purchase. I don't see it with this software, and even though it's currently available for free (although with very limiting licensing) it hasn't earned a place on my computer.
Nov 7 2012 at 7:37am
internet explorer to Nick Forcier: I am waiting to see your reply to Winter Wolf, and others probably are too, especially about whether docLock actually deletes or not. Is it necessary to reboot for the deletion to take place?
Nov 7 2012 at 8:26am
Nick Forcier Hi Internet explorer and Winter Wolf. We had to place a safeguard into our software for beginning computer users. Many times new computer users will create a password and automatically forget it right away. With that said, to delete an unlocked file after locking a file, simply go into the options screen, select "delete file after locking" and then lock your file. That file will then be automatically deleted. You must do this before you lock the file, other wise you will have to delete the file by hand or by using our file shredder within docLock.
Large Software Vendor - Nov 7 2012 at 8:53am
Peter Thompson Is anyone getting a problem installing it. I get to the progress bit and then it just closes
Nov 7 2012 at 9:15am
Phil Tobin @ Winter Wolf: this software doesn't remember your options. Although there are check boxes relating to delete original file after locking, and delete locked file after unlocking, ticking the boxes is valid *only* for the action you're currently taking.

This means that each time you want to lock or unlock a file, you must go back into options and start over again.

I appreciate the developer's attention to safety here but what with having to input the password twice every time you want to unlock a file, and then into options to check whichever is applicable, the process is a little elongated.

That said, however, surely nobody who uses this software is going to be spending their days, locking and unlocking files, folders etc. I lock my files for archival purposes of privacy and security -- not to constantly keep opening, closing, and opening again.

This software doesn't provide elementary invisibility but when used with the excellent freeware Wise Folder Hide, it's a good combination for the average home user. (Note: stay away from iObit's Protected Folder. It's sold on a wholly unjustified recurring license and does nothing that Wise doesn't do for nowt.)
Nov 7 2012 at 9:20am
Paul T Is this the same version which I believe was offered here back in April? Thanks.
Nov 7 2012 at 9:41am
Mario Balzic OK, folks, what this package DOES is simple, it creates a password protected ARCHIVE file, no more, no less. And it puts the file in the ROOT directory of the drive! And there's more...

Here is what I did: I was interested in protecting a folder, e:\xyz, on an external USB drive. Everything went fine, except nothing happened to the e:\xyz subdirectory itself. It existed without change. All that happened was a file appeared, e:\xyz.doclock. What this means is, the original folder is STILL UNPROTECTED. What the end result is, is simply a password protected archive file! And THAT is OK, but the documentation says nothing on this! You might think your folder is protected but it really isn't UNLESS the "wipe" feature really does what it SAYS it does, a secure wipe of the folder and files AFTER being deleted. Does it actually OVERWRITE the deleted files which is the ONLY way to securely wipe data from a hard disk? Inquiring minds waht to know... As a paranoid on my privacy individual who CARES about my data, this software package is not any better than simply using 7-ZIP, WINZIP or WINRAR and creating a password protected archive, and then using Norton Utilities secure wipe program to wipe free space and slack space on my hard disk. (by the way, I recommend 7-ZIP since it does what the big boys, WINZIP and WINRAR, in the commercial world do, but 7-ZIP is absolutely free. Look for it.) Unlocking a locked file is easy, BUT, it does the exact same thing as any other archive program, "extract" files back to the original location! At least it does not blindly overwrite the existing files, and politely asks. This activity is NO DIFFERENT than ANY other archive utility program. It appears that all this software package DOES is act as a front end for a proprietary archive utility, such as 7-ZIP, WINZIP or WINRAR. This appears to simply be "reinventing the wheel", so to speak. I like the idea of the random password generator, but that feature presents a huge problem if your computer dies and you end up reinstalling the software... Where are all of those random passwords you used? If your hard disk fails, the program that you used is now GONE. So as a question for the developer, how would one get access to the DOCLOCK archive stored elsewhere? How would one recover all of those previously used and stored passwords if you did not have a backup of the software also stored elsewhere with the DOCLOCK file? I can see reinstalling the software, but then what? If I have not separately stored the random generated password, it would appear my files are locked with no way to ever unlock them, yes?

And now, the bug report: When I go to "lock a file" and then click on the ADD button, I get a selection dialog box as expected, but all it will let me do is pick a FILE (or a group of files). How do I select a complete subdirectory? I can "drag and drop" a subdirectory into the box, (as I did with my e:\xyz test) but the select dialog FAILS if I click on a subdirectory displayed.

As another above: I, too, wondered about recovery from a hard disk failure. Based on my (limited) testing, it appears that IS possible, IF you save the DOCLOCK file somewhere else. Then, it also appears you could install the software again on the new replacement machine and get at your externally stored DOCLOCK file. Maybe the vendor can confirm that my somewhat limited testing is accurate regarding recovery and handling of the DOCLOCK file... Provided I also remember or independently saved the password used, of course.

Bottom line: this package says it protects files, folders and more, but it does no such thing. All of the files and subdirectories that you ADD remain on your hard disk, exactly where they were, thus you have to separately delete them and wipe the space to prevent another user on your computer from having access to your "protected" files and subdirectories. This software is simply a "front end" that creates a password protected ARCHIVE FILE which contains an encrypted COPY of the contents of a subdirectory or file. What you do after that, is your business. The licensing of a single user on a single machine defeats the stated feature of: "The password unlocks files wherever they go: if a trusted friend/colleague has the code, they can access files sent by email or USB." If I use this for my family, that means another licensed copy is needed for each family member, yes? This statement is NOT true! "unlocks files wherever they go" is FALSE. And it appears the ONLY way for anyone else to use the password to unlock a file is to have a EXE copy! Isn't THAT simply a "self-extracting" archive exactly like any other? If you make a ZIP file, then the person must have the ability to handle ZIP archives. Not everyone uses WINZIP or has access to a ZIP archive handler! And if one sends off a copy of the DOCLOCK file itself, then that other person must also have a licensed copy of the program.

All in all, there are simply too many flaws and reinventing the wheel here for me to use this program over something as simple and FREE as 7-ZIP that runs on windoze AND Linux...

Thank you for the offer...
Nov 7 2012 at 9:42am
Nick Forcier Hi Mario - Thank you for the feedback. If you do not choose to "delete file after locking" then yes you will have the original file still on your hard drive. This is a safety precaution for beginning users. If you choose that option, the file will be wiped clean off of your hard drive. Also you do not need to have docLock on a second PC in order to open a file, docLock is only needed on a second PC if you wish to relock a file. This means you can send or transfer a file to a PC that does not have docLock installed and still access and unlock the file. I hope this helps.
Large Software Vendor - Nov 7 2012 at 9:51am
Winter Wolf Nick, with all due respect, you keep repeating your comments regarding the user having to select the "delete file after locking" option as a safety precaution for beginning users. First I do not consider myself to be a beginning user and actually have a reasonable level of experience in this area. Second, if you read people's comments carefully you will see that people such as myself and others did exactly what you keep suggesting, without success. I think Mario has provided an excellent summary, and as I commented previously, I don't see any reason to have this software on my computer, free today or not. Thank you for providing the opportunity for those that want it.
Nov 7 2012 at 10:18am
Nick Forcier Hi Winter Wolf - Thank you. I am so sorry I missed your comment previously about it not working for you. So please walk me through the process you walked through. If I am correct, you opened docLock, went to the options window selected "delete original files after locking" then went to the lock screen, and went through the process of locking the file. Once the file locked, you are still seeing the unlocked file as well, is that correct? Can you tell me if you tried this on your desktop or within a folder? Also my apologies, this safeguard was in place for the beginning user, not for advanced users like yourself. We know advanced users like yourself can remember passwords and use encryption quite easily, but we had to put it in just to make the most novice of users comfortable as well.
Large Software Vendor - Nov 7 2012 at 11:45am
Emil Kucera Thank you for the free software. But PLEASE ! do make the options "sticky" - at least for the session, if not between the session, which would be even better. You can always work in a warning about it for the beginners.
Nov 7 2012 at 4:44pm
Nick Forcier Hi Emil - Thank you for the feedback, I will let our dev team know that the advanced users would like that option.
Large Software Vendor - Nov 7 2012 at 4:56pm
Ray This simply creates an encrypted archive, not like a repository/container where you can open it, work with the files and when you close the container, it becomes encrypted again. Every time you open the archive, it extracts everything out of the archive. You don't even get an option to choose one file. It's an all or nothing approach. Not good if you have 100's or 1,000's of files.

You then have to encrypt the whole thing again. What's up with that. It's like encrypt it then forget it. You can use windows for that.

Using TrueCrypt would be a much better solution.
Nov 7 2012 at 6:23pm
Nexus C Hi Ray, this is exactly the case. For selective files/folders encryption, winzip (or some other winzip compatible freeware) will do the job. For huge folder size (or you want to set it and forget it), I'm using TrueCrypt container (over the size of 100GB) approach that supports add/change/delete actions with real-time encryption/decryption (lightning fast).

Anyway, I've just tried the doclock. It's a simple file/folder encryption software. It might be good to use if we just want to protect a few files. But it's not that suitable for huge folder protection.
Nov 7 2012 at 7:30pm
Mario Balzic Hi Nick:

Thank you for making a reply directly to me. I appreciate the time and trouble taken. I have done further investigation based on your and other people's comments. It is only fair...

OK, so I reinstalled the package (on a win2k pro laptop this time. I know, it isn't in the list of supported systems, but I tried it anyway... and it worked...) and based on your and other comments, I clicked on the "delete files" option and YES, the directory and files were gone. It was not obvious I needed to perform this additional step and I missed it... my error... You are correct that it IS relatively easy to delete the files after locking. I apologize for jumping to a conclusion. My only excuse is I did not do a comprehensive, complete test as I would if I were involved in beta-testing...

But that did not/does not answer my question about secure wiping of files. If I haul out a disk editor and examine the disk sector by sector, what will I find? Were the files overwritten, thus securely removing the old data? Or did you simply remove the directory and files from the disk directory and recycle bin? Deleted and erased files are NOT secured against prying eyes unless you overwrite the data, preferably 3 or more times, according to the DOD anyway... So, HOW you "securely delete" files IS critical information for me, though not so serious for other people, maybe. I read nothing here or on your site that relates to this.

You have an option to "clean" your hard disk (a useful security feature, IF it works. I hesitate to even try it since I have no idea what it actually DOES), and it appears to wipe free space, but what about slack space at the end of a file? When I save a 1 byte file, the hard disk allocates a full cluster to the file, so what about the rest of the cluster after the one saved byte? If you do not overwrite the entire cluster, then that trapped data in the slack space is STILL there! Which sort of defeats the security one desires by using the program to secure data.

Not saving a configuration option is a big inconvenience. Here I am, an experienced user, and in your words, you insist on treating me like a "beginner" EACH and EVERY time I go to use the program to secure any data. Sure, I agree, this "feature" CAN save a novice and it SHOULD default to OFF... at first. But, I should be able to somehow have a persistent option from one use of the program to the next so I do not have to repeat myself each and every time I use it! The program IS a decent program, easy to use, but it is NOT obvious about that delete files option. And using an online HELP system is a miserable alternative. What is one to do if there is no internet connection? And when you get to the online help, what do you do if you do not have a telephone available? Online help that is "under construction" is worse than useless, it wastes my TIME. You should have had your online support in place BEFORE you released this software into the wild. Better yet, you should have had SOMETHING, at least a minimal help system built IN. Clicking on ABOUT simply gets me the EULA and links, and clicking on HELP gets me a phone number to call. At least it is toll-free... I like the little "I" balloons. THAT is a really NICE touch. But a lot of the information balloons tell me something, but not what that something MEANS. What does CBC, Cypher Black Chaining MEAN, anyway? Why do you have 4 different options and why would I consider changing? What advantage is there in CBC over OFB? Do you see the problem? And why offer so many options on the type of encryption used? You ARE aware that Distributed dot net HAS broken DES, yes? Again, the "I" information IS very good, but why would I consider using something other than the default "blowfish"? Blowfish IS good, as I am aware from my own research into encryption schemes, but DES has been broken. Sure, DES is secure enough for an average user to encode email attachments, but not for a serious user like me. But what about the others available? What advantage do I gain (or lose) by selecting another encryption option? How does the level of compression affect the encrypted file? THAT is where more information in the form of documentation would really be a PLUS.

One other point: since this IS a front end for an archive encryption scheme, you could at least offer an option to select WHICH files of many already IN the archive to extract. Maybe I only wish to work with one file. Your program is "all or nothing". And also, you should offer an option to add an individual file to an archive already created. As it is, your interface requires you to extract ALL of the files, then to add a file. I would have to add it to the extracted subdirectory and then DOCLOCK the whole subdirectory again. This means a complete repeat of effort simply to add one file to a group in a subdirectory. Inconvenient, to be sure when I have several files in a group and I wish to add a single file. Please refer to my previous comment where I discussed working with encrypted archive files. The ability to work with individual files within the archive would be a plus point. The all or nothing approach does not work well for me.

I really like the user interface. It really IS a "friendly" program... And it is the user interface which is why I even considered this over my usual archiving with a password using 7-ZIP. But still, my bug report stands. I can not use the ADD button to select a subdirectory, only drag and drop (and when unlocking a file I drag and drop, why does it show the 8 character DOS name and not the "long name" for the file I am unlocking? There is a problem with the selection dialog box and how it works.). 7-ZIP, WINZIP, WINRAR and other archivers will delete files after archiving, but they do not offer a secure wipe, which is another reason why I considered this program, so I did not have to run a separate program to securely erase the files as I do now with Norton Utilities WipeDisk. My present passworded archive and then wipe the data using an old MSDOS utility is rather tedious. Your program has the potential to wrap up my rather awkward set of things I do into one neat package.

Still, thanks for the program. It has potential and I am sure a number of people will find a use for it. I'll keep it and check back occasionally to see if evolves into it's potential. This program could be SO much better than it is...

Thanks Nick!
MB
Nov 7 2012 at 10:50pm
Helen Oleary Why not just use the free TrueCrypt? Am I missing something?
Nov 8 2012 at 10:16am
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