EncryptPad
Version: 0.3.2.2 Web: http://evpo.net/encryptpad
The arguments about the most secure place for storing valuable data and sensitive information are pretty much endless, and regardless of the type of storage – whether a local hard drive, a cloud service or a removable media – nobody doubts the importance of data encryption. EncryptPad is a free and open source text editor for such information with a built-in data protection. It protects files with passwords, security key files, or both, and can also be used to encrypt binary files, such as images and videos etc.
EncryptPad has plenty of securityrelated features, such as a random key file and password generator, support for downloading keys from remote locations, optional read-only mode and more. The editor uses its own EPD file format, where your data is protected with cipher algorithms (CAST5, TripleDES, AES128, AES256), file integrity is maintained via hash sums (SHA-1, SHA256) and the whole thing is compressed with ZIP. There’s very little chance that your *.epd files could be read outside EncryptPad, so you’d best not forget your passwords!
Commonly there are two passwords for each file: one is the direct password and another is for unlocking the key. You can use the same key for multiple files (and there’s a checkbox for making a key persistent), but the primary password is always unique for each file.
Since files can be protected with both a key and a password at the same time, it means EncryptPadis a good solution when you need to store sensitive information on unprotected media, such as a notebook, memory stick or unencrypted cloud storage. When running, EncryptPad stores unencrypted text in memory and for this reason, it’s recommended to shut down EncryptPad when not editing or reviewing text documents.
The official website provides binary packages for Windows and OS X but not for Linux. To build it, download its source tarball and run the $ ./configure. sh --all command. Provided you have Qt5, gcc and Python developer’s packages installed, that single command will swiftly do the job.
“A good solution when you need to store sensitive information.”