Steganos Security Suite 2006: High-Security Data Protection on the Cheap What's New for 2006 Wayne Kawamoto
Short of locking your PC in a high-security vault, there may be no better way to protect your data than with Steganos Security Suite 2006. Key features in this new suite include high-level encryption capabilities, spyware protection, a method to track stolen notebook PCs, and a virtual shredder that thoroughly disposes of critical documents and data.
On the other hand, if you're looking for anti-virus and ad-blocking capabilities or a software firewall, you'll have to look elsewhere (Steganos does offer an Internet Security suite that serves as an able companion to their standard Security Suite). In execution, Steganos Security Suite 2006 dominates a specific security niche — the thorough protection of data.
What's New for 2006
Steganos Security Suite 2006 now employs real-time, 256-bit AES encryption, an upgrade from the 128-bit AES encryption found in Security Suite 7, its
predecessor. You can now create unlimited encrypted "safes" to store data, compared to only four in the prior version, and can use several new methods to unlock safes that employ USB sticks or ActiveSync-capable mobile phones.
For 2006, Security Suite includes Steganos AntiSpyware, which detects and destroys some 10,000 adware and spyware programs. It's a strong addition
to the suite that can stop malicious programs that monitor surfing habits and record keystrokes to obtain passwords and account information. The program comes with a year's worth of updates to keep the database current and automatically downloads new signatures.
Another key addition is Steganos AntiTheft, which tracks stolen PCs or notebooks. When a PC is missing, users can log onto a Steganos website that tracks the IP addresses that the device connects with. With this information, authorities may be able to identify the owner of the internet connection and ultimately track down the PC.
Safe Deposit Boxes
The core of the suite, Steganos Safe 8, secures hard drive data by encrypting it with secure 256-bit AES encryption. Beyond hard drives, the program writes to CD and DVD-ROM discs, which allows you to carry and use data anywhere without installing the software — all you need is the password. The end result: thieves can't access your data. The program can also turn a USB stick into a re-writable mobile safe that stores data in encrypted form. Data may be transferred from a USB stick to PCs with its encryption intact.
A major convenience in Steganos 2006 is that you can apply encryption without needing to enter passwords by instead relying on USB sticks, memory cards, ActiveSync-capable mobile phones, or even digital cameras. Simply attach the external device and Steganos automatically decrypts the data. And when you leave your desk, the program can automatically close and open a safe by sensing an ActiveSync-capable Bluetooth smartphone — a convenient way to take breaks.
For additional security, the innovative Steganography program hides sensitive data in image and music files using Stegano's DyCes (Dynamic Cell Spreading) algorithm. With this, an innocent vacation photo or music file can surreptitiously carry sensitive data. In use, encryption doesn't significantly slow down general computing and is barely noticeable on a fast PC.
