FileAssurity Introduction
Overview
FileAssurity is a file protection and signature application that enables you to safely store, send and delete files. You can protect and sign files for storage on any media (local, network and removable drives - including CDR and CDRW drives) or share them securely with friends/ colleagues. You can even use FileAssurity to create secure archives (just like PKZIP but securely encrypted).
File Encryption
FileAssurity protects the confidentiality of your files by using encryption. Encryption scrambles the file contents so that they are no longer readable in their original format. Only those users that have the correct keys can unprotect the files and view the original file.
FileAssurity is much more secure than password mechanisms as the key needed to unprotect your files never leaves your PC. If someone wants to protect files for you then you supply them with a key that can only be used for this purpose (this key can be generated in FileAssurity or obtained from a Certificate Authority). Unprotection of files can only take place on your PC as only you posess the correct key for this purpose.
More information on protection of files can be found on our web site.
File Signing
FileAssurity ensures the integrity of files by signing them so that you can check whether a file has been tampered with. When you sign a file FileAssurity creates and attaches to the file a unique value that is based on the contents of the file. When FileAssurity is asked to check that a file has not changed it calculates the value of the contents and compares it to the original calculated value. If as little as 1 bit of data in that file changes then the calculations do not match and you are warned that the file has been altered.
Recipients of signed files can also check who signed the files. FileAssurity checks the signature received against a list of trusted authorities that vouch for the identity of the signatures owner.
Protected Archives
Multiple files can be stored in a protected archive (just like a .ZIP file but securely protected). You can view, delete and extract files in the archive. This is a convenient and secure means for long-term storage or for the sending of multiple files. Archives can be signed to protect against tampering with the contents and so that the recipient can verify who sent them.
Secure File Deletion
A secure delete facility ensures files are securely deleted in one easy step to US Government DOD 5220.22-M standard. FileAssurity also uses additional security measures to ensure your deleted files cannot be recovered even by dedicated file recovery programs.
Secure E-mail
Send secure e-mails attachments regardless of the e-mail client you or your recipients are using. FileAssurity lets you protect and send files in one simple process. Just select the file(s) for protection, right-click and select 'Send to mail recipient' and FileAssurity will automatically open your default e-mail client with the secure file(s) attached.
Space Saving compression
FileAssurity automatically compresses each file or archive that you protect ensuring minimum disk space is used. FileAssurity uses compression comparible to WinZip.
Simple to use
Protect, sign, unprotect, and verify single files, multiple files, or folders, in a single click! Just select your files, choose who you want to protect the files for, choose if you want to sign them, and then press the 'Secure' icon. Your files are now protected.
You can specify where you want to save protected/signed files, whether you want to overwrite existing files and whether you want to keep current folder structures. FileAssurity even supports dragging & dropping of files and folders straight from Windows Explorer.
FileAssurity Reader
FileAssurity users can always send protected files to anyone they wish. The companion product, FileAssurity Reader can be downloaded for free from the ArticSoft web site. It enables anyone to unprotect and verify files but it does not allow them to protect, sign or securely delete files.
Information on PKI, Signatures & Certificates
FileAssurity is fully PKI-enabled and lets you generate your own certificates or you can import them from all the major CAs. For more information on PKI please read 'An Introduction to PKI' available from the ArticSoft web site. Information on Signatures and Certificates is also available from our web site.