This page remains incomplete:add PGP to the encryption section, add
a better variety of encoder-decoder utils. See Yves Bellefeuille's list
of best freeware for DOS and Win 3.1 for a more comprehensive listing
and some different favorite picks.
"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/Unzip,
and additional options have been introduced. Info-Zip was developed to
provide cross-platform PkZip compatibility across a variety of operating
systems (DOS/Win, Unix, OS/2, Mac, VMS, Linux, Amiga, Acorn, SGI, Atari,
etc.). Info-Zip Web Site.
Although Zip still can't span a zip file across multiple floppies (coming
in next version!), it does most everything else as well as PKZip (compression
size, speed). Zip has one compression method (deflation) and can store
files without compression. Although creation of self-extracting EXE's is
possible- it's not elegant, adds 30K to file size, and creates a file potentially
not readable by PKZIP compatible viewers.
To create an SFX you'll need to join UNZIPSFX.EXE (distributed with
unzip*.exe) to a zip file created by ZIP. For example,
An alternate ZIP package (ZCRx.ZIP) contains an encryption program so
that you can encrypt-protect your ZIP files. For legal reasons, the encryption
capable version is not exportable abroad from US sites- I'm providing links
to European sites.
12-98: new UNZIP version 5.40 released: - changed listing formats to
enlarge the file size fields for more digits; - added capability to restore
directory attributes on MSDOS, OS/2, WIN32; - GUI SFX stub for Win16 (Windows
3.1) and Win32 (Windows 9x, Windows NT); - new free GCC compiler environments
supported on WIN32; - many time-zone handling bug fixes for WIN32, AMIGA,
...
Info-Zip for Win 95/NT :
- Win 95/NT UNZIP: download unz540xN.exe
(240K)
- Win 95/NT ZIP: download zip22xN.zip
(136K)
- Wiz for Win95/NT (GUI version): download wiz401xN.exe
(456K)
UC2- Archiver compresses files tighter
than PKZIP (but...)
* * * *
...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.
Other nice features:
- UC2 can create self-executing archives which, when run, present the
end-user with directory destination and abort options.
- UC2 is operating system-aware (DOS/Win/OS/2) and can preserve extended
attributes for OS/2 files.
- Encryption option.
- This package comes with a full featured, mouse-driven menu shell if
you dislike using the command line.
UC2's principal drawback is it's inability to span files across multiple
floppy diskettes (includes a separate utility that performs this task).
UC2 compression seems to require a large amount of memory (consistently
fails under Windows on my 8MB system). UC2 may leave temp files on disk.
UC2 has never achieved the popularity of PkZIP, ARJ, RAR, or LHA and has
not seen an update in over two years. Author AIP-NL, Home
Page.
download
uc2pro.exe (400K)
or uc237b.exe
(400K, beta, Win95 support)
LHA- Archiver also creates freely distributable
self extracting archives.
* * *
LHA is an older archiver which shares similar compression statistics
with PKZip. Unlike PKZip, Arj, UC2, and RAR, LHA is true freeware, and
self-extracting archives created by LHA may be freely distributed. Author:
Haruyasu Yoshizaki. (1992; documentation-1996).
download
lha255e.exe (65K, LHA SFX)
X1 -Super tight file archiver can also
compress to common archive formats.
unrated
Although an interesting program, X1 is not recommended to most casual
users of compression programs. But if you desire to create smaller archives
than is possible with PKZIP, ARJ, LHA, or UC2 -and don't mind the longer
compression time- you might want to try X1. X1 compresses text documents
significantly better than PKZIP/Info-Zip and UC2. The
degree of compression advantage for X1 is less for some file types (e.g.,
programs, binaries). Here is a quick and dirty compression size comparison
of X1, PKZip, and UC2:
TXT file test:
Compress 8 ASCII files, total size= 1.8 MB, into single archive.
Archiver... Options .. Result
X1......... axm4 ..... archive size= 519 K, % orig. size= 28
X1......... axm1 ..... archive size= 650 K, % orig. size= 36
PKZIP...... ex ....... archive size= 668 K, % orig. size= 37
UC2........ att ...... archive size= 650 K, % orig. size= 36
EXE file test:
Compress 24 DOS/Win EXE files, total size= 1.74 MB, into single archive.
Archiver... Options .. Result
X1......... axm4 ..... archive size= 771 K, % orig. size= 44
X1......... axm1 ..... archive size= 793 K, % orig. size= 45
PKZIP...... ex ....... archive size= 814 K, % orig. size= 46
UC2........ att ...... archive size= 791 K, % orig. size= 45
Notes:
- Compression speed and archive size is highly dependent on the X1 compression
options used- requires some experimentation.
- For a more scientific comparison of available archivers see Jeff Gilchrist's
Archive
Comparison Test.
- While X1 is recognized chiefly for its tight proprietary compression,
it also has the ability to compress files to other common archive formats,
e.g., PKZIP, ARJ, and LHA. Compression, file listing, and extraction are
supported, but proprietary options associated with these archivers are
not.
Possible disadvantages of X1:
- X1 is a large (550K) 32-bit program that requires a 386+ machine and
needs a minimum of 4MB free RAM.
- Relatively slow compression and extraction.
- X1 cannot create self-extracting (SFX) archives.
- X1 creates "solid" archives which, if damaged, may offer
little hope of repair. X1 does offer a data protection option. If you update
your archives often, managing solid archives of any format may not be the
wise choice.
- The syntax of X1 is straightforward but it was a bit difficult to quickly
locate simple compression level commands in the documentation.
- Don't expect X1 to become a widely used or supported program (anytime
soon, at least).
- X1 has never gone beyond beta testing, and has not been updated in
some time. Not all features are implemented and some compression routines
are experimental (backward compatibility in future versions not guaranteed).
Several shareware archivers now outperform X1 (yet are often exclusively
developed for Win9x/NT platforms rather than DOS [but see RAR and ARJ]).
Author: Stig Valentini (1997)
download x1dos95a.zip
(298K)
UnRAR- Unpacks RAR archives.
unrated [updated 10-02-99]
UnRAR is the freeware unpacker for RAR compressed files. Since the RAR
archiver is shareware, I will not describe it's terrific features except
to note that it is becoming a more popular format on eastern European FTP
sites, BBS's, and FIDONET. The freeware unrar.exe
is included in the RAR package.
download rar250.exe (270K, RAR and UNRAR; RAR SFX); source code only: unrar250.zip (72K)
OTHER ARCHIVERS OF INTEREST:
unrated [section added 12-15-98]
- ARJ - [updated 10-02-99] A popular and versatile shareware
archiver. (government, commercial, institutional users must register).
arj270.exe
- GZIP and TAR:
gzp124b.zip
| tar320g.zip or tar321.zip
Notes on TAR: This TAR is especially useful for
transferring data between OS's. "Allows extract from/write to archives in files,
floppies or QIC-02 and ASPI-driven SCSI streamers in both regular
'tar' format and compressed by (g)zip or 'compress.' Distinguishing features: processes
in a uniform way under both MS-DOS and UNIX clones; read/write UNIX-compatible floppies
and quarter-inch streamer cartriges under DOS; supports unusual floppy formats;
supplies data compression option under both DOS and UNIX; allows reading of
System V and/or GNU multivolume archives under DOS and all UNIX clones;
includes option to restore damaged archives....." Source included.
[note : TAR v3.21 [added 10-30-99](1997); This was a test version but includes support
for LFN's under Win95, also bugfixes]
- UNTAR- [added 08-16-99] An Untar which handes long file names:"Untar also supports long file
names in the DOS-prompt of Win95/98/NT by renaming the files after
untaring them." Author: Michael Husted, Denmark (1999) untar114.zip (14K)
- Lesser known freeware archivers (thanks to Lars-Erik Sandberg for bringing
most of these to my attention):
- SKY - auto disk spanning as with ARJ,
good compression, sfx creation, single exe. sky115.zip
- ESP - small, fast, tight, sfx, file split
and easy to handle. esp_v192.exe
- LHARK - brother of LHA, a little faster
and tighter. Unpacks LHA-made archives. LHA (2.55 or 2.66) dosen't unpack
latest compression method of Lhark. lhark04d.zip
- QFC
Collects multiple files into uncompressed archive which can subsequently be compressed more effectively by archivers
(similar to TAR, but file headers are smallest possible). Author: George Lyapko
(1999). qfc202c.zip
- ZOO - Older archiver; no longer competitive
in terms of features/ compression statistics. Main use today is for unpacking
old zoo archives stored on some ftp sites. zoo210.exe
EXE COMPRESS AND UNPACK
Familiar to most programmers and power users- but if you're obsessed
with saving disk space you might want to experiment with these programs
(note: If you already use disk compression software these utils won't save
you much space). Power users: also see the Sudden Discharge
site.
all unrated
- UPX- Tight and versatile 32-bit DOS and WIN32 exe compressor.
- 32LiTE- Tight and versatile 32-bit DOS exe compressor.
- aPACK- Super tight EXE and COM compressor.
- LzExe- Compresses many executables
into smaller, functional programs.
- Diet- Compresses executables (including
overlays) and com files.
- DJP- Compressor/ decompressor for 32-bit
DJGPP EXE's.
- ComToExe -Converts Com files to Exe.
- UNP -Unpacks
compressed executables.
- CUP -Unpacks
many compressed executables.
- GetTyp -Identify packer origin of many
compressed executables.
- UPX: [updated 11-16-99] Maybe the most versatile
exe format packer on the scene- and it's free. Because it's still undergoing
beta testing, it should only be used for testing purposes (bugs possible,
compatibility between releases is not guaranteed). Distinguished from the
other packers listed here by its combination of tight compression and an
ability to pack a diverse array of executable formats including : dos/exe,
sys, & com, djgpp2/coff, watcom/le (e.g., DOS4G, PMODE/W, etc.), win32/pe
(e.g., Netscape.exe), rtm32/pe, tmt/adam. Fast decompression; no memory
overhead, and can also list, test, and unpack. Win32 and Linux versions also
available on
Home Page. Authors: Markus F.X.J. Oberhumer and László
Molnár (1999).
- 11-15-99: beta 0.92 released. See docs for version history.
- download upx092d (156K; protected mode DOS version)
- 32LiTE: [added 07-14-99] Untested. This packer claims
to pack a wider variety of DOS exe formats than UPX (e.g., WDOS/X, DOS32, W32RUN, PHARLAP, "P3", and mixed format exe's)
and relies on APACK code for good compression. Author: Oleg Prokhorov (1999).
- aPACK: [added 7-7-98; updated 3-14-99]
An EXE and COM packer that's currently (1999) in the running for the honor
of tightest DOS EXE/COM packer available. Excels with smaller files. See
docs, Home Page,
or the latest ACT
results for some head to head comparisons. Requires a 386+ with at
least 4MB RAM. Free for non-commercial use only. Suggested by Lars-Erik
Sandberg. Author: Joergen Ibsen, Denmark. (1999)
- LzExe: An older but widely used exe packer.
Executables with overlays cannot be compressed. Saves a backup of the original
exe.
- Diet: I haven't looked much at this program
but it compresses files that LzExe can't: exe's with overlays (with some
preconditions) and COM files.
- DJP: [added 8-16-98] Designed to pack
(and unpack) 32-bit programs produced with DJGPP. I tested DJP on the v332
LESS.EXE and reduced the size from around 162K down to 95K; GREP.EXE from
122K to 69K. Author: Laszlo Molnar (1998). Also see DJP's successor, UPX.
- ComToExe: Converts a *.com file into an
*.exe file (many exe compressors don't pack com files). Included in the
LzExe package.
- If you need to un-compress a packed-exe (perhaps to pack with
a tighter compressor), try a universal decompressor tool such as UNP.
Becoming a bit dated, but simple to use.
- CUP: (aka UCFCUP, CUP386). Regularly cited
as one of the best EXE unpackers around- it was developed primarily for
hackers and others with a programming bent. Although CUP has many debugging
and other power-user options, it is often capable of unpacking many formats
in one easy step, and that's why I include it here. CUP has been tested
with the following formats -but was designed to unpack executables packed
with unknown software: PkLite, Diet, LzExe, TinyProg, PgmPak, HackStop,
WWPack. Requires a 386+. CUP functions best when memory managers (e.g.,
EMM386) are not loaded. Development has ended (8-97).
- GetTyp: Identify packer of compressed
executables. See extended description.
UUE and MIME ENCODE-DECODE
UUdeview- UUE, XX, Base 64 (MIME), en/
decode. Decodes BINHEX.
* * * * *
A good, simple-to-use, multi-platform encoder and decoder package. 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 (*.hqx)
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 executable file sizes are a tad large compared to other DOS
encode/decode utilities (100k each for encoder and decoder). Author: Frank
Pilhofer. Germany (1997).
- download
uudvd05d.zip (115K)
- Also see home page
for links to Win3.1/Win95/NT GUI ports, and a Unix version of UUdeview. An OS/2 version
is here: ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/sac/utilfile/uudevos2.zip. A Win32 console
version is here: http://www.itribe.net/virtunix/files/uudv-0_5_9_win95.zip
ENCRYPTION
Need to add public key programs like PGP. The IDEA and Blowfish algorithm
private key programs listed here should be the most secure but I make no
personal claims. If you want to prevent your mom or little brother from
reading your love notes, any encryptor listed here should do the trick.
If your mom works for the CIA, or if you intend to send/ receive sensitive
information over the Net, I'd start at a different web page (e.g., See
http://cryptography.org/ ).
Z-Crypt- Small, fast file encryption/decryption
program.
* * *
A private key file encryption program- small, fast, and "anonymous."
While Z-Crypt does not implement a well-tested cipher, it does combine
several features that attempt to ensure the anonymity of encrypted files.
During encryption, Z-Crypt can scramble the file name, it overwrites the
original file (caution!), and it can easily be used in batch files. Probably
sufficient for non-critical needs, but cryptography experts probably wouldn't
recommend it for high security uses. Unlike Tiny IDEA,
Z-crypt only accepts a 1-word password, not a passphrase. A password must
be typed on the command line, or included in a batch file- so there is
a risk of it being seen by others. Don't forget the password. Source included.
From the documentation: "*Z*Crypt is different than 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. ...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.... 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.)
Tiny IDEA- Small IDEA file encryptor
and decryptor.
* * * * [updated 1-3-99]
Tiny IDEA is a tiny (500 bytes) private key 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. Author: Fauzan
Mirza, w/optimizations by B. Couture and M. Andreas. UK. (1996)
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 up to 149745258842898 years to crack a 128-bit IDEA key."
download
idea3a.zip (version 3a, 19K)
Update 1-3-99: Mark Andreas has recently (12-98) released version
4 of Tiny IDEA, but note that it is export restricted from the USA.
Some of the changes in v4.0 include smaller size (366 bytes), passphrase
can be put on the command line, more. This distribution includes several
variations, with different combinations of features. See Mark's crypto
pages for version 4 availability and an in-depth description.
TinyFish- 5K Blowfish file encryptor.
unrated [added 9-25-98]
Designed along the same lines as Tiny IDEA, but uses a Blowfish algorithm.
- "BLOWFISH is a 16 round Feistel network, of 64-bit blocks and
with a 448 bit keyspace."
- Runs interactively, or
- You can use redirection to send a passphrase to the program from a
file, i.e.,
TINYFISH + plainfile < passfile > nul
TINYFISH - cryptfile < passfile > nul
- Don't forget to extract the file PI to same directory as program
(any random file "...will work- PI is only a very reliable
source.').
- Requires 386+. ASM source included.
Author: Dutra Lacerda, Portugal (1998)
download
tinyfish.zip (10K)
Blowfish-CBC- Blowfish file encryptor.
unrated [added 9-25-98]
A simple private key file encryption program that uses a CBC implementation
of the BlowFish algorithm.
- Handles passphrases up to 576 bits
- By default, outputs file with *.BFC extension; leaves original
file unaltered (it's up to you to delete it securely).
- Passphrase is not handled securely (must be typed on command line/
incl. in batch file); no wildcard support.
- Pascal source included.
Usage:
BLW-CBC (E|D) <PassFrase> <InputFile> [<OutputFile>]
| | | |
Encrypt ---+ +--- Decrypt Origin! Optional Argument
Author: Dutra Lacerda, Portugal (1998)
download
blwcb15a.zip (37K)
SNOW- Conceal text message in an ASCII
file.
unrated [added 5-9-98 updated 1-17-99]
"...Snow is used to conceal messages in ASCII text by appending
whitespace to the end of lines. Because spaces and tabs are generally not
visible in text viewers, the message is effectively hidden from casual
observers. And if the built-in encryption is used, the message cannot be
read even if it is detected....If a message string or message file are
specified on the command-line, snow will attempt to conceal the message
in the file infile if specified, or standard input otherwise. The resulting
file will be written to outfile if specified, or standard output if not.
If no message string is provided, snow attempts to extract a message from
the input file. The result is written to the output file or standard output."
If a message (or message file) cannot be fit into the host file's available
"free space," lines will be appended to the end of the file.
An option does exist to adjust the length of lines which increases available
message space. Optional encryption of the message is supported using the
64-bit ICE encryption algorithm in 1-bit cipher-feedback mode. Passwords
can (theoretically) be up to 1170 characters in length. Simple compression
of the message is also possible. Note that the original and message-containing
files may differ in size, and there is no special, secure handling of passwords.
Win32 console, Unix and Java versions are available from the author's
page. Author: Matthew Kwan, Australia. (1998)
Update 1-17-99: New in v11-22-98: "Files concealed with encryption
using the DOS version could not be decrypted by the other versions, and
vice versa....This has now been fixed...The source version, when compiled
under Unix, also had a bug where it could not read data concealed by the
DOS version, owing to the carriage return character appended by DOS. This
has also been fixed..."
download snowdos16.zip
(27K)
PASSWORD GENERATORS
1. KeyGen- Auto-generates multiple passphrases;
saves to file; configurable.
unrated [added 9-12-98]
This program quickly generates multiple passphrases and automatically
saves them to a user-named file. The program allows you to set options
from a set-up screen: use upper and/or lower case alphabet, and/or numbers,
and/or special characters; define passphrase length (10-80 characters);
and define number of passphrases generated (1-999). No description of algorithm
used, no source. Author: Zoltan Pupp, Hungary (1997).
download keygen.zip
(8K)
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