What is CRYP?

The CRYP program is an integrated environment that can both encrypt single files (or groups of files) and decrypt CRYP-encrypted files (providing that the password is known). The intent of the CRYP program is to provide a high level of security for files that a user wants to keep private.

Will CRYP work with Windows?

Yes. Although CRYP is not a native Windows program, you can use CRYP while Windows is running. There are a couple of ways of doing so. After installing the program, the recommended way to run CRYP from the Windows desktop is to click Start, Programs, MS-DOS Prompt, and then issue the following command:

What are the hardware requirements?

The minimum requirements are a 286 machine, 1 MB RAM, and a color monitor. However, the recommended hardware is a faster machine (such as a 486). You will notice vast improvements in the speed of encryption and decryption with CRYP as you move up to faster machines. A mouse is OPTIONAL (CRYP offers mouse support, if present, for file selection.)

How does CRYP work?

CRYP accepts a file name (or file specification) and then will either encrypt or decrypt the file (or files). The CRYP program is able to identify files that have already been encrypted by CRYP and will not permit double encryption of those files (for user protection). The user of CRYP must invent a password to encrypt a file and then remember that password to decrypt it. Please note that CRYP is case sensitive for passwords.

How do I install the CRYP program?

CRYP comes in a self-extracting archive so installation is easy if you are using either Windows or DOS. The steps are as follows: 1) Create a directory or folder called CRYP on your C drive. 2) Place the CRYP program you downloaded into the CRYP folder and run it. 3) Finally, run the CRYP.EXE program.

What makes CRYP different from other encryption programs?

There are several differences. First of all, CRYP is a password program yet the password that is used to encrypt the file or files is never stored with the file or on the disk. That makes the security tighter. Another difference is that the CRYP program is an easy-to-use environment (it is not necessary to memorize command line arguments, for example). Also, CRYP provides stronger encryption than some other encryption programs. The potential danger is that if the user forgets the password that was used to encrypt a file, no one (not even the author of CRYP) will be able to decrypt the file.

Why is CRYP being released as shareware?

The concept of shareware is to allow people to try out a program before making a decision to puchase it. Shareware distribution is a good way to evaluate a program to determine whether or not the program will be useful before spending any money.

How does CRYP shred a file?

If you select the "shred" option of CRYP, the CRYP program, after completing the encryption, will overwrite the original file with nulls and then delete it.

Who wrote CRYP?

CRYP was written by a C programmer named Scott Wenger who has an interest in file security and internet security.

Yes. The author of CRYP has released a file encryption and compression program called SECURE. The SECURE program is a native Windows program (for Windows 95 or Windows 98). The SECURE program works only in Windows and combines lossless compression with strong encryption. A 30-day trial copy of SECURE is available at the following link: SECURE encryption program.

Does the author have any software available for free?

Yes. See the following link: Free software programs.

Note: If you have questions about CRYP that have not been answered by this FAQ, simply email your question to the author panther@wctc.net The question will be answered by email or placed in this FAQ (depending on the nature of the question.)

You can move to the download area for CRYP by going to one of the following URLs:
http://www.private-files.com/cryp.html
http://www.private-files.com/cryp.htm

Thanks for your interest in CRYP!