 Stealth Encryptor

Copyright © Tropical Software, 1996. All Rights Reserved.

Disclaimer

Introduction

How to order Stealth

About the demo version

Menus

FileMenu

View menu

Help menu

Activate

Functionality

Stealth Encryptor List Mode

Stealth Encryptor Browser Mode

E-Mail Encrypt/Decrypt

Important Files Backup

File Shredder

Encryption Setting

Encryption Details Selection Bar

Password Setting

Key enter screen

Some data security topics

Technical Information

Technical Support


File Menu

The File menu offers the following commands:

Lock  	Locks Stealth, a password is needed to unlock it.

Settings	The settings screen allows control of:

- Encryption Setting

- Password Setting

E-Mail Encrypt/Decrypt	The E-Mail Encrypt/Decrypt is a Wizard type operation that through the use of the clipboard, makes it easy to encrypt and decrypt parts or the whole e-mail message.

Exit	Exits Stealth.


View menu commands

The View menu offers the following commands:

List Mode	Tougles the Encryptor in List Mode which allows for storing a list of frequent files for encryption.
Browser Mode	Tougles the Encryptor in Browser Mode which allows for navigating the disks for encryption.
Files Backup Mode	Tougles the Encryptor in files Backup Mode which allows for automatically backing up important files.
Files Shredder Mode	Tougles to the Files Shredder Mode which allows for permanent deletion of files.


Help menu commands

The Help menu offers the following commands, which provide you assistance with this application:

Help Topics	Offers you an index to topics on which you can get help.
Order Information	Explains how to order Stealth
About	Displays the version number of this application.


File Exit command
Exit command (File menu)

Use this command to end your Stealth session.  You can also use the Close command on the application Control menu.

Shortcuts

Mouse:	Double-click the application's Control menu button.

Keys:	ALT+F4


Status Bar

The status bar is displayed at the bottom of the Stealth window.

The left area of the status bar describes actions of menu items as you use the arrow keys to navigate through menus.  This area similarly shows messages that describe the actions of toolbar buttons as you depress them, before releasing them.  If after viewing the description of the toolbar button command you wish not to execute the command, then release the mouse button while the pointer is off the toolbar button.

The right areas of the status bar indicate which of the following status’s:

Indicator	Description

Stealth On/Off	Indicates that the file name disguise option is on/off.

Fast/DES/Both	Indicates the currently selected encryption type.

Beginner/Level1/Level2/Advanced	Indicates the currently selected encryption level (see Encryption Settings for details).


Index command (Help menu)

Use this command to display the opening screen of Help.  From the opening screen, you can jump to step-by-step instructions for using Stealth and various types of reference information.

Once you open Help, you can click the Contents button whenever you want to return to the opening screen.


Using Help command (Help menu)

Use this command for instructions about using Help.


About command (Help menu)

Use this command to display the copyright notice and version number of your copy of Stealth.


Help Using Help Command
Context Help command

Use the Context Help command to obtain help on some portion of Stealth.  When you choose the Toolbar's Context Help button, the mouse pointer will change to an arrow and question mark.  Then click somewhere in the Stealth window, such as another Toolbar button.  The Help topic will be shown for the item you clicked.

Shortcut

Keys:	SHIFT+F1


Title Bar

The title bar is located along the top of a window.  It contains the name of the application and document.

To move the window, drag the title bar.  Note: You can also move dialog boxes by dragging their title bars.

A title bar may contain the following elements:

Application Control-menu button

Document Control-menu button

Maximize button

Minimize button

Name of the application

Name of the document

Restore button


Scroll bars

Displayed at the right and bottom edges of the document window.  The scroll boxes inside the scroll bars indicate your vertical and horizontal location in the document.  You can use the mouse to scroll to other parts of the screen.

The scroll bar appears only when the Stealth screen is resized smaller than it’s full view.


Size command (System menu)

Use this command to display a four-headed arrow so you can size the active window with the arrow keys.

After the pointer changes to the four-headed arrow:

1.	Press one of the DIRECTION keys (left, right, up, or down arrow key) to move the pointer to the border you want to move.

2.	Press a DIRECTION key to move the border.

3.	Press ENTER when the window is the size you want.

Note:  This command is unavailable if you maximize the window.

Shortcut

Mouse:	Drag the size bars at the corners or edges of the window.


Move command (Control menu)

Use this command to display a four-headed arrow so you can move the active window or dialog box with the arrow keys.

Note:  This command is unavailable if you maximize the window.

Shortcut

Keys:	CTRL+F7


System Minimize Command
Minimize command (application Control menu)

Use this command to reduce the Stealth window to an icon.

Shortcut

Mouse:	Click the minimize icon [image] on the title bar.


Maximize command (System menu)

Use this command to enlarge the active window to fill the available space.

Shortcut

Mouse:	Click the maximize icon [image] on the title bar; or double-click the title bar.


Next Window command (document Control menu)

Use this command to switch to the next open document window.  Stealth determines which window is next according to the order in which you opened the windows.

Shortcut

Keys:	CTRL+F6


Previous Window command (document Control menu)

Use this command to switch to the previous open document window.  Stealth determines which window is previous according to the order in which you opened the windows.

Shortcut

Keys:	SHIFT+CTRL+F6


Close command (Control menus)

Use this command to close the active window or dialog box.

Double-clicking a Control-menu box is the same as choosing the Close command.

Note:  If you have multiple windows open for a single document, the Close command on the document Control menu closes only one window at a time.  You can close all windows at once with the Close command on the File menu.


Restore command (Control menu)

Use this command to return the active window to its size and position before you chose the Maximize or Minimize command.


Switch to command (application Control menu)

Use this command to display a list of all open applications.  Use this "Task List" to switch to or close an application on the list.

Shortcut

Keys:	CTRL+ESC

Dialog Box Options

When you choose the Switch To command, you will be presented with a dialog box with the following options:

Task List

Select the application you want to switch to or close.

Switch To

Makes the selected application active.

End Task

Closes the selected application.

Cancel

Closes the Task List box.

Cascade

Arranges open applications so they overlap and you can see each title bar.  This option does not affect applications reduced to icons.

Tile

Arranges open applications into windows that do not overlap.  This option does not affect applications reduced to icons.

Arrange Icons

Arranges the icons of all minimized applications across the bottom of the screen.


No Help Available

No help is available for this area of the window.


No Help Available

No help is available for this message box.


Technical Support

- Compuserve -  73742,1104

- Internet   -  support@tropsoft.com

                 http://www.tropsoft.com/techsprt.htm

- Mail       -  27 Georgetown Dr.

                Eatontown, NJ 07724

If desired, include your phone # with the problem description and we'll call back.

While technical support is offered free of charge, the associated telephone costs are significant in relation to the cost of this product, therefore we will call collect. (reversed charges)


Technical Information

Unlike other security programs, Stealth Encryptor doesn't install any special device driver. It performs it's security functions by using the standard features provided by the operating system. This makes Stealth Encryptor very reliable and trustworthy.  It won't mess up the system and it's compatible with all the standard Windows installations.

Files:

STEALTH.EXE	The Stealth Encryptor main program.
STEALTH.CNT	The on-line user's guide contents file.
STEALTH.HLP	The on-line user's guide and help file.
SETUP.EXE	Found in the installation disk, provides Install and Uninstall functions
ORDER.TXT	Form and information for ordering Stealth.
README.TXT	Install instructions and licensing information.

Hardware/Software Requirements:

Computer:           IBM or compatible

Processor:          80386 or higher

Operating System:   Windows 95 or higher, Windows NT 4.0 or higher

At least 10Mb free hard disk space.

To uninstall Stealth Encryptor, run the installation program from a diskette, press Cancel at the installation settings screen and select the Uninstall menu.

In order to best fit Stealth in the screen, adjust the desktop resolution for at minimum of 800x600 with small fonts.  (Start, Settings, Control Panel, Display, Settings)

The Encryption details Toolbar is dockable , it can be removed from it’s present position and placed either on the bottom of the screen or floating anywhere on the screen.

Stealth remembers its size and position, once adjusted it will always start that way.


Some data security topics

Data backup:

It is never too much to stress the need for frequent data backup.

Although the features of Stealth Encryptor were tested and found to be bug free, external faults can cause encryption to lose data. Never use any of the Stealth Encryptor features on files which you don't have a RECENT unencrypted Backup.

Not only Stealth Encryptor is vulnerable to external faults, any program like the word processor, the backup programs, even the operating system itself is vulnerable.

These external faults could be intentional or not, some examples are:

Turning off, rebooting, pulling the plug, current surge, etc., while in operation, will have unpredictable results.

The hard disk keeps the information(including program code and the operating system) in the form of minuscule magnetic fields. With time, the magnetism fades out or is modified by the proximity of strong magnetic fields generated by telephone sets, speakers, magnetic business cards, even the earth's magnetic field.  Because of these factors, one day one bit might change, causing unpredictable results.

As one can see, the computer is usually accurate but it is not always accurate!

How to manage back-ups:

There are two types of backup:

- The frequent backup is the one that is done frequently (recommended daily) for the case when the computer crashes and the data becomes unrecoverable.  This is the backup that is worth more than gold sometimes.

For this backup, avoid using the same media (diskette, tape, etc.) over and over again. Have ten and rotate them.  Try to backup with a verify option for enhanced safety.

- The permanent backup, is a backup copy that is done once in a while (recommended monthly) and sent off site, possibly to a locked safe.

This is necessary for the case of fire and burglary, in these cases, both the data within the computer and the backed up one might be lost at the same time.

Also, because the hard drive can be corrupted little by little with time, the permanent backup will have the original data before the corruption.

This usually happens with files that are not used for a long period of time, therefore it's corruption is not detected.


Disclaimer

Stealth Encryptor is supplied as is without warranty of any kind.

Tropical Software hereby disclaims all warranties and guarantees regarding the use, or the results of use, of Stealth Encryptor in terms of correctness, accuracy, reliability or otherwise.

Tropical Software will not be responsible for any incidental, consequential, direct or indirect damages, including but not limited to damages for loss of profits, business interruption and loss of information resulting from the correct or otherwise use of Stealth Encryptor even if Tropical Software has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

By installing Stealth Encryptor, you acknowledge that you have read this limited warranty, understand it, and agree to be bound by it's terms and conditions.

You also agree that the limited warranty is the complete and exclusive statement of agreement between the parties and supersede all proposals or prior agreements, oral or written, and any other communications between the parties relating to the subject matter of the Limited warranty.


Introduction

In this era of inter networking, work groups and digital highway, it becomes more and more important to protect personal sensitive data from malicious or unintended harm.

More and more documents and information are migrated to the computer in the form of files stored in the hard disk.

More and more computers are linked together, exposing those files to dangers of being destroyed, examined, or adulterated intentionally or not by other users (hackers) of the network.

The Stealth Encryptor utilities are custom designed to help you protect your system against such intrusions.

The Stealth Encryptor offers comprehensive data security protection by performing the following functionality:

Stealth File encryption

E-Mail encryption

File Shredder

Important Files Backup with auto encryption

Drag and Drop support

You can try Stealth Encryptor with no fear as it doesn't change any system configuration. If you decide not to use it, it has an uninstall feature that removes it completely from your machine!

Unlike other security programs, Stealth Encryptor doesn't install any special device driver. It performs it's security functions by using the standard features provided by the operating system. This makes Stealth Encryptor very reliable and trustworthy. It won't mess up the system and it's compatible with all the standard Windows installations.

Stealth Encryptor is widely distributed in the form of "Activationware". The public copy has full functionality for evaluation purpose but all the password and the encryption keys are disclosed.

By "Activating" Stealth Encryptor, it enters normal operation, DES* encryption becomes available while maintaining all of the current settings. No reinstallation required.

After purchasing Stealth, activation is accomplished by selecting the Activate menu, contacting Tropical Software with the displayed Installation Code and entering the given Activation Code.

Hardware/Software Requirements:

Computer:           IBM or compatible

Processor:          80386 or higher

Operating System:   Windows 95 or higher

Minimum 10MB free disk space when processing encryption.


Stealth File Encryptor was developed by Silvio Kuczynski.

To contact Silvio Kuczynski e-mail to silviok@tropsoft.com.

Tropical Software’s address is http://www.tropsoft.com


About the demo version

The demo version of Stealth is released to the public for evaluation.

It performs all the functionality of the release version allowing for full evaluation before purchase with the following exceptions:

- DES encryption is not supported.

- The password is disclosed at the lock screen .

- The encryption key is disclosed as plaintext.

DES is not supported due to export restrictions since the demo can be freely distributed all over the world.

The password and key disclosures enable you to evaluate it fully with a lesser chance of losing files and information.

Once activated, the key and password are no longer disclosed.

Important: Do NOT rely on the demo for data privacy, please read the explanation above.


Files Backup

The Important Files Backup, used in combination with the File Encryptor, provide complete protection for your important documents.

The Important Files Backup was designed to backup important documents rather than whole directories or hard drives.

The documents to be backed up are kept in lists. These files can be backed up in their original format or they can all be automatically encrypted when backed up. The creation of a new sub directory for each different backup day is supported.

Controls:

Press this button (or Alt+N) to create a new group of files list to be backed up.

Press this button (or Alt+D) to delete a group of files list to be backed up.

Press this button (or Alt+A) to add files to the current list.

You can also drag the files from the Explorer to this screen.

Press this button (or Alt+R) to remove the selected files from the current list.

Fill in with the destination path for the backup up files. The stated path must exist prior to the back up operation.

Select this option (or Alt+C) to automatically create a new subdirectory of the destination path for the backed up files. The new subdirectory's name will be composed as today's date using the following format: BKddmmyy, where dd is today's day, mm is the current month and yy is the current year. As an example, if today is 14/2/1997, the subdirectory will be BK140297.

Select this option (or Alt+P) to be warned when a back up of a certain file already exists. If this option is not selected, the former back up is replaced without warning.

Select this option (or Alt+E) to cause the backup up files to be automatically encrypted. (see Encryptor for more details)

Press this button (or Alt+B) to perform the backup.

Tips:

- You can drag files directly from the Explorer to this screen. To do this, highlight the files, press the left mouse button, move the cursor anywhere in this screen and release the mouse button.

- Please maintain a recent unencrypted back up copy of your files (locked in a safe maybe)..

- Press ESC to cancel backing up  all remaining files in the list.


Stealth Encryptor  List Mode

Encryption is a very powerful way of protecting the information in a file from being examined by others.

Encryption works by scrambling the contents of a file according to a secret key word, making it impossible to read it unless it is again decrypted using exactly the same keyword.

By using the sophisticated stealth technique (file name disguise), you can effectively hide files in your disk.

There are two file encryption modes of operation:

- The List Mode (this screen) lets you maintain a list of selected files from different directories and perform encryption operations.

- The Browser Mode lets you navigate the disk and perform encryption operations.

Controls:

The encryption is performed according to the selections in the Encryption Details Selection Bar .

Shows a list of all the files that are not encrypted. Select from this list the files to be encrypted.

Shows a list of all the files that are encrypted and their corresponding disguised names. Select from this list the files to be decrypted.

Press this button (or Alt+E) to encrypt of all the files that were selected from the unencrypted file list.

Press this button (or Alt+D) to decrypt of all the files that were selected from the encrypted file list.

Press this button (or Alt+A) to add files to the lists. The selected files go to the respective list according to their encryption state, i.e., the files that are encrypted go to the encrypted list and the ones that are not encrypted go to the unencrypted list.

You can also drag the files from the Explorer to this screen.

Press this button (or Alt+R) to remove the selected files from the lists. Select unwanted files from one or both lists and press this button. Note that files that were encrypted will remain encrypted, they just don't show in the list anymore.

Press this button (or Alt+S) to refresh the information contained in the lists.

Operation:

The files that are encrypted will be displayed in the encrypted files list and the regular files will show in the unencrypted files list.

At this point files can be encrypted or decrypted by selecting one or more from one list and pressing the corresponding button.

Tips:

- You can drag files directly from the Explorer to this screen. To do this, highlight the files, press the left mouse button, move the cursor anywhere in this screen and release the mouse button. The files will be listed in the corresponding list according to their encryption state.

-When you start the Encryptor, a key must be entered. This can be done by pressing the key button.

- The Encryptor also offers the option of disguising the filename by changing it to a random number, while still showing the real filename within the encrypted list. Feel free to rename it as you wish, Stealth will still keep track of the original name.

- The key must be entered both in the enter field and verify field and they must match exactly to avoid mistyping. This is done because if the file is encrypted with an unknown key, it becomes UNRECOVERABLE (this is it's strength).

- Keep all your important documents in the list, they can be encrypted or decrypted with the push of a button.

- A quick way of highliting a collection of files from the list is to left click on the right side of the files and drag enclosing the desired files in the square ‘Rubber Band’.

Warning - NEVER encrypt any file for which you don't have a recent unencrypted backup.(See the backup discussion later in this manual)


Activation Screen

Stealth Encryptor is widely distributed in the form of "Activationware".

The public copy has full functionality for evaluation purpose but all the passwords and the encryption keys are disclosed.

When you order Stealth Encryptor, you can immediately activate your copy. By "Activating" Stealth Encryptor, it enters normal operation while maintaining all of the current settings. No reinstallation required.

Activation is accomplished by selecting the Activate menu, contacting Tropical Software with the displayed Installation Code and entering the given Activation Code.

Controls:

Press this button (or Alt+W) to display the Order Form.

An unique installation code is assigned to your system. Take note of this code, it is upon this code that the activation code is generated.

Press this button (or Alt+P) to copy the Installation Code to the clipboard making it easy to paste it into an e-mail or order form.

Enter the activation code here.

Press this button (or Alt+O) to activate the program.

Press this button (or Alt+C) to close the screen without activating.


Order Information

When you order Stealth Encryptor, you receive an "Activation Code" so you can start using the program immediately. You also receive the release package containing an installation disk that doesn't require activation for use in the case of changing computers. (it is not necessary to install the contents of that disk over the activated program)

Have the following information ready:

Installation Code (From the Activation screen)

______________________________________________________

Name    ______________________________________________

Company ______________________________________________

Street  ______________________________________________

        ______________________________________________

City    ______________________________________________

State   _________                     ZIP ____________

Country ______________________________________________

Telephone Number _____________________________________

E-Mail  ______________________________________________

Comments/Suggestions _________________________________

______________________________________________________

Price:

Stealth Encryptor (in US$)............................. 34.95 (or site license)

Washington residents add 8.25% sales tax................_________

Shipping and handling.................................... 5.00

                                                        ============

            Total in US$................................._________

Site License:

2   to  19: $30.00  each.

20  to  49: $20.00  each.

50  to  99: $15.00  each.

100 to 199: $10.00  each.

200 and up: Contact us.

The prices are subjected to change without notice, please visit our

WEB site for the latest information: http://www.tropsoft.com.

Ordering by check:

To order by check send this order form and a check to:

Tropical Software

27 Georgetown Dr.

Eatontown, NJ 07724

Checks can be in US$ or the equivalent in a foreign currency + 10% (bank charges).

Ordering via CompuServe:  CompuServe users can order Stealth Encryptor on-line. Enter the command GO SWREG and follow the instructions.

The Stealth Encryptor registration id is 13487. The ordering price will be added to your CompuServe bill.

Ordering by credit card:

The easiest way of ordering by credit card is through our secured on-line order page. Your credit card information is fully protected.

The secure order form can be accessed at the bottom of the page in our WEB site at http://www.tropsoft.com

You can also mail this order form and credit card information to:

Tropical Software

27 Georgetown Dr.

Eatontown, NJ 07724

If you prefer to order by phone or fax, please use PsL, a credit card order taking service. You can reach PsL 24 hours a day 7 days a week by fax at 1-713-524-6398.

You can also call PsL at 1-800-242-4PsL(4775) or 1-713-524-6394 between the hours of 7:00 am and 6:00 pm CST Monday-Thursday and 7:00 am and 12:30 pm CST on Fridays, except holidays.

Ask for Order # 14389

PsL requires the following information:

Credit Card [ ] MasterCard [ ] VISA [ ] AMEX [ ] Discover

Credit Card Number:

Expiration Date:

Name On Card:

Billing Address:

Tropical Software cannot be reached at the numbers above. These numbers are for PsL, a credit card order taking service only. Any questions about the status of the shipment of an order, refunds, registration options, product details, technical support, volume discounts, dealer pricing, site licenses, etc., must be directed to Tropical Software.

To contact Tropical Software:

- CompuServe -  73742,1104

- Internet   -  sales@tropsoft.com

                 http://www.tropsoft.com

- Mail       -  27 Georgetown Dr.

                Eatontown, NJ 07724

Stealth Encryptor is only shipped on 3.5 inch disks.


Stealth Encryptor Browser Mode

Encryption is a very powerful way of protecting the information in a file from being examined by others.

Encryption works by scrambling the contents of a file according to a secret key word, making it impossible to read it unless it is again decrypted using exactly the same keyword.

By using the sophisticated stealth technique (file name disguise), you can effectively hide files in your disk.

There are two file encryption modes of operation:

- The List Mode lets you maintain a list of selected files from different directories and perform encryption operations.

- The Browser Mode (this screen) lets you navigate the disk and perform encryption operations.

The encryption is performed according to the selections in the Encryption Details Selection Bar .

Controls:

Navigate down the drive/directory tree and highlight the desired directory.

Shows a list of all the files in the current path that are not encrypted. Select from this list the files to be encrypted.

Shows a list of all the files in the current path that are encrypted  Select from this list the files to be decrypted. The right column shows the disguised filename for each file that was encrypted with the Stealth option.

Press this button (or Alt+E) to encrypt of all the files that were selected from the unencrypted file list.

Press this button (or Alt+D) to decrypt of all the files that were selected from the encrypted file list.

Press this button (or Alt+S) to refresh the information contained in the file lists. To refresh the directory tree, close the branch by pushing the - box and then open it again by pushing the + box.

Operation:

For every selected directory, the Encryptor will list all the files containing in that directory.

The files that are encrypted will be displayed in the encrypted files list and the regular files will show in the unencrypted files list.

At this point files can be encrypted or decrypted by selecting one or more from one list and pressing the corresponding button.

Tips:

-When you start the Encryptor, a key must be entered. This can be done by pressing the key button.

- The Encryptor also offers the option of disguising the filename by changing it to a random number, while still showing the real filename within the encrypted list. Feel free to rename it as you wish, Stealth will still keep track of the original name.

- The key must be entered both in the enter field and verify field and they must match exactly to avoid mistyping. This is done because if the file is encrypted with an unknown key, it becomes UNRECOVERABLE (this is it's strength).

- A quick way of highliting a collection of files from the list is to left click on the right side of the files and drag enclosing the desired files in the square ‘Rubber Band’.

Warning - NEVER encrypt any file for which you don't have a recent unencrypted backup.(See the backup discussion later in this manual)


File Shredder

When a file is deleted in the computer, it is not really deleted.

For speed performance reasons, the computer only deletes the file indexing information saying that the disk space the file occupied is now free.

Only when another file is created using that space, will that information disappear.

This fact allows unerase utilities like Norton Utilities *, PCTOOLS * or the like to retrieve all or part of the information that the file contained.

.

The File Shredder overwrites the contents of a file with 2 complementary sequences of alternating bits, and then fills it with blank spaces prior to deleting it, thus completely erasing the contents of that file.

:Controls:

Shows a list of all the files that are ready to be shredded. Files can be added and  removed from this list with the following controls.

Press this button (or Alt+E) to bring the file selection screen.

You can also drag the files from the Explorer to this screen.

Press this button (or Alt+R) to remove from the list any file that should not be shredded.

Press this button (or Alt+S) to shred all the listed files.

Click the arrows to select how many times the file should be overwritten prior to deletion. In most cases, one time is enough. The more times the harder it is to recover the files, the longer it takes to wipe them out.

Procedure:

Press the select files button, select drive, directory, one or more files and press the OK button. (or drag files from the Explorer)

The selected files will show in the main list.

More files can be added to this list by repeating the above procedure.

If it's desired to remove some files from the list, highlight the files and press the Remove from list button.

Press the Wipe Out button and the files are gone.

Tips:

- You can drag files directly from the Explorer to this screen. To do this, highlight the files, press the left mouse button, move the cursor anywhere in this screen and release the mouse button.

- A quick way of highliting a collection of files from the list is to left click on the right side of the files and drag enclosing the desired files in the square ‘Rubber Band’.

- Press ESC to cancel shredding of all remaining files in the list.

* Norton Utilities and PCTOOLS are registered trademarks of their respective companies.

WARNING - Once a file is shredded, it is GONE.


Password Setting

A password consists of a string of 1 to 12 alphanumeric characters.

The case is ignored, making upper case and lower case the same, for example:

TROPICAL, tropical and Tropical  are considered equal.

Some other password examples:

protection#1

secure13

@#$%^&*(

10apples

Controls:

Type here the current password.

Type here the new password.

Type here the new password again for verification.

Press this button to submit the change.

Press this button to cancel the password change operation.


Encryption Setting

Encryption is a powerful tool and like any powerful tool it can be dangerous leading to data loss if not used properly.

The most frequent cause for data loss is when files are encrypted with one key and then decrypted with a different key.

When the key is case sensitive, this problem becomes even more severe.

The encryption operation offers 4 different levels of functionality to let users get confortable with encryption while minimizing the chances of data loss:

Beginner Level - The Key is case insensitive and an attempt to decrypt with a different key is aborted.

Key differences like apple and Apple are ignored and decryption with a misspelled key is aborted and doesn’t corrupt the file.

This setting fully protects the information against misoperation.

Level 1 - The key is case insensitive and decrypting with a different key corrupts it.

Key differences like apple and Apple are ignored and decryption still works correctly. Misspelled key on the other hand will corrupt the file on decryption.

Level 2 - The key is case sensitive and an attempt to decrypt with a different key is aborted.

Key differences like apple and Apple are NOT ignored but decryption with a misspelled key is aborted and doesn’t corrupt the file.

Advanced - The key is case sensitive and decrypting with a different key corrupts it.

No protection at all, should only be used when you feel very confortable with encryption.

As you progress towards the advanced level, the encrypted files become slightly more secure.

This settings acts on all encryption operations.

Always have all your files backed up!


Encryption Details Selection Bar

This toolbar’s settings acts on all encryption operations except the e-mail encrypt/decrypt.

This toolbar is dockable, you can drag it out of it’s position and make it float or dock it at the bottom of the screen.

Select this option for an encryption algorithm specially developed for image and

multimedia files. It’s repetitive sequence of random bursts render these files unreadable to virtually every existing viewer with lightning speed. Stealth Media uses only the first 40 bits (5 digits) of the key.

Select this option for fast encryption. Fast encryption is sufficient for most cases.

Select this option for DES encryption. DES is the government's appointed encryption algorithm and stands for Digital Encrypting Standards. It is recommended for those very top secret files.

DES Encryption is subject to special export laws.

When this option is selected, the filename is changed to a combination of random numbers. The real name will still show in the encrypted files list. Feel free to rename it as you wish, Stealth will still keep track of the original name.

Select this option to have Stealth ask for the key before every encryption or decryption operation. When this option is not selected the key is memorized within the current run of he program but is not stored in disk (for security reasons), therefore the first encryption/decryption operation will still ask for the key.

Press this button to enter or change the current encryption key. This button is only valid when the Always ask for key option is not selected.

Tips:

- You can drag this toolbar out of it’s position and make it float or dock it at the bottom of the screen. To drag, click anywhere in the toolbar’s body


Browser Mode Button

This button tougles to the Encryption Browser Mode.


List Mode button

This button tougles to the Encryption List Mode.


Lock button

Press this button to lock Stealth, a password is needed to unlock it.


Shredder Mode button

This button tougles to the File Shredder.


Settings button

Press this button to start the settings screen.

The settings screen allows control of:

 - Encryption Setting

 - Password Setting


Files Backup button

This button tougles to the Files Backup.


E-Mail Encrypt/Decrypt Button

This button starts the E-Mail Encrypt/Decrypt


Key Enter Screen

This screen gets the key for the encryption operation.

A keyword is a word made of 1 to 8 characters and numbers.

For example:

magic

ANYTHING

12031980

key003

Good#@()

Stealth Media uses only the first 40 bits (5 digits) of the key.

Controls:

Enter here the encryption working key.

Enter the key again for verification. This is done for extra protection because there is NO WAY of determining the key of an encrypted file.

Press this button (or Alt+O) to accept the key.

Press this button (or Alt+C) to cancel the enter key operation leaving the current key (if any) still active.

Tips:

- Use special characters like !@#$%&( and numbers and minimize the use of common English words to make it more difficult to guess the key.


E-Mail Encrypt/Decrypt

When you send an email, the text travels openly and unprotected through Internet connections (routers) until it reaches it’s destination, anyone with technical knowledge can read it undetectedly.

Within a corporation, email is stored in disk, it’s considered company property and it can be legally read and stored without your knowledge.

When encrypted, the email can still be accessed as explained above but the contents can only be retrieved by decrypting with the exact same key.

The E-Mail Encrypt/Decrypt is a Wizard type operation that through the use of the clipboard, makes it easy to encrypt and decrypt parts or the whole e-mail message.

Instructions:

Have your email program ready and the desired message open.

Select the desired operation and press next.

Highlight the desired text, copy (or cut) it into the clipboard and press next.

If you are decrypting, highlight the encrypted text from (including) the beginning asterisks to the ending asterisks.

Enter the key and press next.

The encryption type used is the one selected in the Encryption Details Selection Bar

The encryption level (from beginner to advanced) applies to this operation as well.

Paste now the result of the operation back into the document. Some e-mail programs don’t let you modify the text on a received mail screen, in this case, press the Start Notepad button and paste it there for viewing and saving to disk.

Tips:

- You can use this function to encrypt any kind of text, not only e-mail.

- When you exchange the encryption key with your partner(s), do it using a media different than the Internet like a phone call or fax or personally. If you must use the Internet, send it in a different message and preferably in a different day.


Encryption Action Screen

This screen shows when Stealth is encrypting or decrypting a list of files.

It shows the number of files already processed, the total number of files and the name of the file that is currently being processed.

pressing the Cancel button gives you a chance to cancel the operation for all the remaining files. (After it completes the operation on the current one).