| Compression,
Encoding, Encryption Utilities. (File archivers, UUE, MIME encoder/decoders (for E-mail/Usenet), and file encryption programs.) Ratings: [* fair] to [* * * * * excellent] |
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"Compatible" does not equate to a cheap knock-off or clone in the case of Info-Zip. Info-Zip is format compatible with PkZip- but the resemblance ends there. The command line syntax varies from PkZip, and additional options have been introduced. Info-Zip was developed to provide cross-platform PkZip compatibility across a variety of operating systems (DOS/Windows, Unix, OS/2, etc.). Although InfoZip still can't span a zip file across multiple floppies, it does most everything else as well as PKZip (compression size, speed).
UNZIP program:
download unz520x3.exe
ZIP Program:
download zip21x.zip
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...but PKZIP is the standard, regardless of it's shortcomings. UC2 is one of several file compression programs that is trying to unseat PKZIP from its dominant market position. While UC2 is not "freeware" it is free for individual use. UC2's method of compression involves analyzing files for content type prior to compression. This allows a smarter and tighter compression of a set of files than is possible with PKZIP. The cost is slightly longer compression times. This package comes with a full featured, mouse driven, front-end menu system if you dislike using the command line. UC2's principle drawback is it's inability to span files across multiple floppy diskettes. This package does include a separate utility that performs this task. UC2 has not seen an update in over a year and several shareware archivers now outperform both PkZip and UC2.
download lzexe91e.zip
(includes LzExe and ComToExe)
download diet145f.zip
(Diet)
download uc2pro.exe
(includes UCEXE)
download unp411.zip
(UNP)
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I prefer to use Windows based encoders and decoders because my Internet software runs under Windows. However, I keep DOS-based encoder/decoder programs on my disk as backups. MUNPACK easily handles a variety of MIME header formats- a bane of e-mail programs which can't decode unattached MIME.
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UuEnview is capable of encoding files into UUE, XX-UUE, and Base 64 (MIME) formats. UuDeview can decode all of these plus the Macintosh BINHEX format. UuDeview handles sequential and multipart files well. The program runs interactively- allowing one to make decoding decisions (e.g., renaming) based on the contents of the encoded message. Batch processing is also possible. The Windows version of Uudeview appears to handle messy MIME files better than the DOS version. The executable file sizes are a tad large compared to other DOS encode/decode utilities (100k each for encoder and decoder).
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An encryption program- small and fast, and "anonymous." Will also scramble file names by default. Can use in batch files. Note: Cipher strength is unknown (and thus assumed to be more insecure than Tiny IDEA).
From the documentation:
*Z*Crypt is different then other file encryption programs mainly due to it's "anonymity" objectives. The driving concept behind *Z*crypt was to create a scheme whereby when the selected files have been encrypted there remains absolutely no clue as to that file's original identity or purpose. There are two reasons for this.
The first reason is for the sake of privacy concerns. A person may encrypt files with another file encryption scheme securely, but if the file name or extension is identifiable then others may be able to discern what 'types' of files are being encrypted, which could arouse unwanted curiosities or suspicions. Similarly, most other file encryption programs leave identifiable 'signatures' in the encrypted file so the decryption routines can positively identify the file as being encrypted by it. *Z*Crypt leaves absolutely no identifiable header of any kind in it's encrypted files (more details on the implications of this later). It is up to you to know which files you have encrypted.
The second reason for 'anonymity' is that leaving clues as to the 'type' of file that has been encrypted is a major foothold for any would-be hacker. Using known patterns that may exist in known formats of known 'types' of files (even known types of encryption) is a common starting point for cracking open encrypted files. *Z*Crypt leaves no such vestiges
download zc031.zip (contains both DOS and OS/2 executables.)
* * * * reviewed 6-6-97
Tiny IDEA is a tiny (5k) file encryption program that uses the IDEA cipher. It is used to scramble files with a key, such that the original file cannot be recreated without knowledge of the key. Because Tiny IDEA overwrites files during encryption, it can also be used to destroy sensitive files. Does not scramble file names. Note: Because Tiny IDEA is an interactive program (pauses for key input) it is not well suited to use in batch files (see Z-Crypt).
From the documentation:
"IDEA operates on 64-bit data blocks using a 128-bit key. No method of cracking IDEA faster than exhaustive key search (brute force) has been discovered, despite extensive analysis by professional cryptologers. As an example of IDEA's strength, imagine an incredibly fast computer that can brute force a 56-bit DES key in 1 second. This computer would take upto 194 days to crack a 80-bit key, like the one used by the NSA Skipjack cipher, and upto 149745258842898 years to crack a 128-bit IDEA key."
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(c)1997 Richard L. Green