BestCrypt for Windows

BestCrypt creates and supports encrypted virtual disks, which are visible as regular disks with corresponding drive letters (for example, D:, K:, Z:, i.e. with any drive letter that is not used by another system device).

BestCrypt allows encrypting data with many encryption algorithms (AES, Blowfish, Twofish, CAST and others). Every algorithm is implemented with the largest possible key size defined in the algorithm's specification. BestCrypt v.8 can utilize LRW Encryption Mode, which is specially designed for applications working on disk sector level and more secure than other popular modes used earlier, like Cipher Block Chaining (CBC) mode.

The data stored on a BestCrypt disk is stored in the container file. A container is a file, so it is possible to backup a container, move or copy it to other disk (CD-ROM or network, for instance) and continue to access your encrypted data using BestCrypt.

Any free drive letter in the system may be used to mount and to open an encrypted file-container for access. As well, with BestCrypt v.8 you can mount file-container as a subfolder on NTFS disk. When the virtual disk is opened, you can read and write data as if it were a conventional removable disk.

BestCrypt version 8 provides users with a higher security level as well as with a set of new functions. Besides, there are several ways of encrypting data in version 8:

• Storing encrypted data in containers and accessing the data through virtual drives (as earlier versions of the software do);

• Encrypting set of files into a single compressed and, if needed, self-extracting archive (read more information in BCArchive article);
• Encrypting and accessing transparently whole Windows partitions/volumes (read more information in BestCrypt Volume Encryption article).

To get more information about security enhancements and new functionality appeared in version 8 of BestCrypt, read the New features in BestCrypt version 8 article.

BestCrypt is an encryption software with a number of advanced and unique features. To get more information about them, read the General BestCrypt Features article.

Translations

BestCrypt supports a special technology allowing an easy translating the software to any language. At the moment BestCrypt is translated to the following languages:

Language	Software Interface Translator	Help File Translator
Arabic	Ali Khojah	—
Chinese Simplified	Shao Ziyang	Shao Ziyang
Czech	Tomas Pleskot	—
English	Jetico, Inc.	Jetico, Inc.
Farsi	Danial Hassanian	—
German	Dieter Brauer	—
Italian	Marco Andreoli	—
Russian	Julia Pichueva	—

If you wish to make BestCrypt speak your native language and more useful for your compatriots, please write to our Technical Support: support@jetico.com.

Changelog

22-April-2008 | Control Panel v.8.04.4 | Drivers Vista/XP/2003 Server/2000: v.4.13, ME/9x: v.2.62, NT: v.2.26

Help documentation in Chinese language is available. Minor bugs fixed.

08-April-2008 | Control Panel v.8.04.2 | Drivers Vista/XP/2003 Server/2000: v.4.13, ME/9x: v.2.62, NT: v.2.26

Containers larger than 2TB are supported. Minor bug in public key encryption (512-bit keys) fixed.

19-March-2008 | Control Panel v.8.04.1 | Drivers Vista/XP/2003 Server/2000: v.4.13, ME/9x: v.2.62, NT: v.2.26

Farsi and Italian translations are available.

13-March-2008 | Control Panel v.8.04.1 | Drivers Vista/XP/2003 Server/2000: v.4.13, ME/9x: v.2.62, NT: v.2.26

BestCrypt Setup program fixed to allow separate installation of BestCrypt Volume Encryption.

28-February-2008 | Control Panel v.8.04 | Drivers Vista/XP/2003 Server/2000: v.4.13, ME/9x: v.2.62, NT: v.2.26

Practical countermeasures against attack described in the Cold Boot Attacks on Encryption Keys article implemented. Read BestCrypt FAQ, question 2.6 for more detailed information about the attack and the countermeasures.

05-February-2008 | Control Panel v.8.03.2 | Drivers Vista/XP/2003 Server/2000: v.4.13, ME/9x: v.2.62, NT: v.2.26

Two procedures running from Windows Explorer fixed: 'Create New BestCrypt container' and 'Change Container Properties'.

19-December-2007 | Control Panel v.8.03.1 | Drivers Vista/XP/2003 Server/2000: v.4.13, ME/9x: v.2.62, NT: v.2.26

Translations to Chineze and Czech languages are available.

18-October-2007 | Control Panel v.8.03 | Drivers Vista/XP/2003 Server/2000: v.4.12, ME/9x: v.2.62, NT: v.2.26

First multi-language version of BestCrypt released. To optimize multi-language support version of BestCrypt for Windows 9x/ME is now available as a separate installation program. Translations to Arabic and Russian languages are available.

15-September-2007 | Control Panel v.8.02.9 | Drivers Vista/XP/2003 Server/2000: v.4.12, ME/9x: v.2.62, NT: v.2.26

The following problems are fixed: occasional crash of BestCrypt Control Panel, bug in "Mount as subfolder" command, the software is now compatible with Nero InCD utility.

30-July-2007 | Control Panel v.8.02.6 | Drivers Vista/XP/2003 Server/2000: v.4.11, ME/9x: v.2.62, NT: v.2.26

Fixes: test box for Keyboard Filter now shows not-English characters correctly, several other minor bugs are fixed too.

20-June-2007 | Control Panel v.8.02.4 | Drivers Vista/XP/2003 Server/2000: v.4.11, ME/9x: v.2.62, NT: v.2.26

Fixes:

1. Error in creating hidden part in containers with encrypted key block;

2. Error in mounting containers from command-line prompt.

Enhancements:

1. Added support for requests from BestCrypt Corporate Edition;

2. Includes the latest enhancements of BestCrypt Volume Encryption v.1.98.1.

15-May-2007 | Control Panel v.8.02 | Drivers Vista/XP/2003 Server/2000: v.4.10, ME/9x: v.2.62, NT: v.2.26

Commercial version 8.02 released. Includes BCWipe v.3.10.5, BCArchive v.1.08.3, updated BestCrypt Volume Encryption v.1.97.4.

24-April-2007 | Control Panel v.8.01.2b | Drivers Vista/XP/2003 Server/2000: v.4.10, ME/9x: v.2.62, NT: v.2.26

Solved problems: errors in installation process in Windows 98/ME, error in getting free disk space in Windows 98/ME, occasional error in mounting virtual drives as removable devices for all users in Windows Vista. Minor enhancements in user interface program. Now includes updated BCWipe v.3.10.5, updated BCArchive v.1.08.3, BestCrypt Volume Encryption v.1.97.2.

05-April-2007 | Control Panel v.8.01b | Drivers Vista/XP/2003 Server/2000: v.4.09, ME/9x: v.2.62, NT: v.2.26

Solved problems: mounting containers from write-protected disks, conflict with Symantec GoBack utility, incorrect assigning drive letters for removable virtual drives mounted for current user only. Includes updated BCArchive v.1.08 with enhanced recovery procedures and translation to German language.

15-March-2007 | Control Panel v.8.00.5b | Drivers Vista/XP/2003 Server/2000: v.4.08, ME/9x: v.2.62, NT: v.2.26

Fixed problem of preventing modification time attribute of container file when its hidden part is mounted. Includes updated BCWipe v.3.10.4 and BestCrypt Volume Encryption v.1.96.

02-March-2007 | Control Panel v.8.00.4b | Drivers Vista/XP/2003 Server/2000: v.4.07, ME/9x: v.2.62, NT: v.2.26

AutoUpdate utility in Windows Vista asks for user's rights elevation when needed. Dismount hot key functionality fixed. Occasional refusing to dismount virtual drives is fixed. Includes updated BCWipe utility v.3.10.3.

22-February-2007 | Control Panel v.8.00.3b | Drivers Vista/XP/2003 Server/2000: v.4.06, ME/9x: v.2.62, NT: v.2.26

Dismounting and drive letter support is enhanced in Windows Vista. Support of mounting containers as subfolders on NTFS disks is fixed. Mounting network containers fixed. Includes updated BCWipe utility v.3.10.1.

08-February-2007 | Control Panel v.8.00.1b | Drivers Vista/XP/2003 Server/2000: v.4.05, ME/9x: v.2.62, NT: v.2.26

The following issues are fixed:

- incorrect installation of not complete set of utilities;

- computer hangs occasionally when large containers are mounted;

- AutoUpdate utility for Windows Vista does not require administrative privileges anymore;

- error in mounting containers stored on CD/DVD disks;

- minor corrections of Help documentation and texts in user interface.

01-February-2007 | Control Panel v.8.00.b | Drivers Vista/XP/2003 Server/2000: v.4.04, ME/9x: v.2.62, NT: v.2.26

New 8.00 beta version of BestCrypt is announced.