Paragon Software's CryptoGrapher

Windows CE includes two simple in-built software security devices and all users, without exception, should be using these as a matter of course. (1) The power-on password and (2) the owner-screen.

These in-built security measures are all very well but they do not have any impact on removable ‘Storage Cards’ such as CompactFlash and PCcard ATA Flash. This is where Paragon Software’s CryptoGrapher fits into the security scheme.

CryptoGrapher is a low-level system device driver that protects removable Storage Cards by password encrypting the stored information, thereby rendering the data unreadable to anybody who does not possess both the software and password. All file access to and from the Storage Card passes through CryptoGrapher enabling the whole process to be entirely transparent to the applications reading and writing the data.

In Use

As far as the user is concerned, this really is a simple application. After installation, a icon is placed into the System Tray and the application sits in the background waiting for a Storage Card to be inserted into the device.

As soon as a new Storage Card is inserted into the device, a 'stop' icon is placed in the System Tray and a dialogue box opens asking whether or not you wish to encrypt this card.

To indicate that an encrypted card is installed in the machine, a new 'key' icon is placed in the System Tray and the card may now be used as if it were a standard Flash card.

For the most part the program goes about its business quietly in the background, encrypting data as it is saved onto the Flash card and decrypting each file as it is opened. To the user, this is now a standard Flash card, except it can no longer be read in a normal mobile device.

The encryption status of any inserted card is shown in the System Tray by the use of three tiny ‘card’ icons: -

		Card inserted but not accessible
		Encrypted card inserted - valid password entered
		Unencrypted card inserted

When an encrypted card is inserted, the CryptoGrapher dialogue box opens and the user must enter a correct password. If an incorrect password is entered, the CryptoGrapher dialogue box is re-displayed and the user must try again.

System Requirements

Conclusion

The questions that are always asked at this point are ‘Is it worth buying?’ and ‘Is it worth the price?’ In order to answer these questions you need to ask yourself ‘How much is my data worth to somebody else?’ $75.00(USD) may seem expensive if all you have on your mobile device are a few memos and an Excel quick-conversion chart. On the other hand, if you use your device heavily and keep a lot of confidential information stored for easy reference, then this application could be considered priceless if that same information is of genuine use to somebody else.

This application is like an insurance policy; you are buying peace of mind! As such I recommend that it be short-listed by all corporate IT departments responsible for confidential data stored on any Windows CE mobile device.

Goto CELair ( http://www.celair.com/cryptographer10.htm ) for the full reveiw.

18/04/99