A SECURE-encrypted file is resistant to these attacks. SECURE does not merely "flip bits" nor is the user's password ever stored in the output file. In fact, the user's password is not stored on the disk at all. That feature of SECURE makes the encryption stronger than other encryption programs. It also makes the user's password the only thing that will "unlock" the file.
Even the author of SECURE cannot decrypt a SECURE-encrypted file if the user forgets his or her password.
Without discussing the actual algorithm that the SECURE program uses to keep files private, it is a method far superior than the two methods discussed above.
A SECURE-encrypted file is very resistant to attack. The brute force attack is believed to be the most devastating attack against SECURE because it focuses on the user's password. However, steps have been taken to minimize any vulnerability to the brute force attack. These extra precautions include requiring a minimum password-length of six characters and by prohibiting command line arguments.
The output of SECURE, as is the case with all encryption programs, must not be altered in any way or successful decryption will not be possible. This concept is analogous to an executable file. Just as you could not randomly change an executable file and expect it to run, the same holds true with the output of SECURE. The SECURE-encrypted file is a non-executable binary file (not a text file). You can safely do a hex dump of a SECURE file but you must treat the SECURE file with as much respect as you would an executable file.
Weak encryption programs can be exported outside the U.S. with
little or no restrictions. However SECURE
uses strong encryption.
It is our very clear understanding
as indicated to us by the U.S. Department of Commerce, that we can export a
strong encryption program outside the U.S. only if we obtain special
permission from the United States government.
The SECURE program
uses encryption methods that far exceed 128-bit
encryption. (128-bit encryption is actually
weak encryption.)
SECURE requires a password of a minimum of 6 characters, and a maximum
of 20 characters. The number of password possibilities increases
exponentially as the number of characters increase. With 10 different
numerical characters and 26 different alphabetical characters, there
are 36,000,000 different combinations using just a 6 character password.
Even using the minimum 6 character password, SECURE is virtually impervious to
brute force attack, believed to be the most devastating type of attack.
Beyond 6 characters, the vast number of possible password combinations increases
exponentially, and SECURE becomes quite invincible to all types of attack.
For an explanation of terms go to the Glossary
Strong encryption like SECURE ™ could not be sold outside the United States until recently. The degree to which an encrypted file is resistant to "attack" reveals the strength of encryption. Very strong encryption makes it impractical (if not impossible) for an unauthorized person to restore the original file. If an encrypted file is vulnerable to attack, the encryption is weak. Remember that encryption keeps files private. The stronger the encryption, the more difficult it becomes for an unauthorized person to ever have a chance of looking at the data that is being made private.
There are various "attacks" that can be used against an encrypted file. Some of these attacks are shown below:
