WonderCrypt is a file-encryption software for your desktop created by a group of Indian software developers. The software can encrypt any kind of file, be it text, audio, video, or graphic, so that no one can access it without the proper ID(s) and password(s). It comes on a CD-ROM along with an iKey and requires at least a Pentium with 32 MB RAM to run properly.

The encryption software works by generating a public/private key pair and digital certificate for you. To share personal files with someone else, you must create a ‘public key’, which is stored in an encrypted certificate file. You can then use WonderCrypt to distribute this certificate to anyone you want to share encrypted files with. The software has a website where WonderCrypt users can store their public keys. Another good feature in the software is that you can encrypt different parts of a document. This way, only those people can read it whom you’ve given access to. 

Another useful feature of WonderCrypt is called ‘Certain Delete’. This lets you encrypt a file before deleting it. This way, the file can’t be read even if somebody manages to recover it. 

The main WonderCrypt interface consists of a toolbar, the application from where you can perform a range of tasks, like creating public keys and encrypting or decrypting files. However, the interface is slightly difficult to work with. For example, you need to go through at least eight clicks to encrypt or decrypt a single file. The software gives you a form to fill to generate a public key. However, if you enter a wrong alias or password, it generates an error message, requiring you to fill in the form all over again. While this may be a minor problem, it wastes a lot of time.

WonderCrypt comes with an optional iKey and USB cable, which can be used to store your private key and digital certificate. The iKey looks like an ordinary key-chain, and can therefore be carried like one. You can also store some of your personal data in it like your passwords, bank-account information, credit-card num- bers, instead of leaving it on your computer. The iKey is password protected so only you can access it. Another advantage is that it can be accessed only if you have WonderCrypt installed. 

Overall, this is a rather good encryption utility, which might be useful to those who would like to secure a few personal files on the computer or send important files to someone else over a network. However, the interface needs to be more user-friendly. 

Dhruv Majumdar at PCQ Labs