COMODO Disk Encryption is a free full-disk encryption program that allows and supports encrypting of internal and external hard drives, as well as creating an encrypted virtual hard drives.
For further protection, COMODO Disk Encryption can make use of a USB device for authentication.
Download COMODO Disk Encryption
Note: The COMODO Disk Encryption was discontinued in 2010. This present review is of version 1.2, which was the latest stable released as of then. A beta version (v2.0) is also available which is available for download from COMODO’s forum.
check also: How to Fix Any Computer | Windows, Mac, Linux
More About COMODO Disk Encryption
The COMODO Disk Encryption supports a wide range of hashes and encryption algorithms but, unfortunately, it does not support recent operating systems newer than Windows 7:
- COMODO Disk Encryption works with Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows 2000
- The program has the feature of being prevented against unauthorized changes with the use of password.
- SHA1, SHA256, MD5, and RipeMD160 are the supported hash algorithms, and AES, Serpent, Blowfish, and 3DES are the encryption algorithms you can choose from.
- In addition to encrypting already installed hard drives, COMODO Disk Encryption also allow you create a virtual encrypted hard drive.
- Rescue Boot CD Can also be created to have a backup method of booting into an encrypted system volume
- COMODO Disk Encryption also serves as a small backup program by letting you copy one USB hard drive directly to another
COMODO Disk Encryption Advantages & Disadvantages
The fact that COMODO Disk Encryption support and further development has been stopped is probably the reason for people not using it, but USB authentication may be enough to keep you using hits disk encryption program:
Advantages:
- User Friendly interface and Easy to operate
- It has small download size
- A USB drive can used as an authentication device
- External hard drives can also be Encrypted
Disadvantages:
- Program was discontinued in 2010 (it’s no longer being updated)
- Doesn’t support encryption for some USB devices
- Unable to pause an encryption one it has started
- Can’t encrypt more than one volume at once
How to Encrypt a Hard Drive Using COMODO Disk Encryption
These following instructions are to guide you step by step on how to use COMODO Disk Encryption’s wizard to encrypt a hard drive or system partition:
- Right-click on the drive you want to use (either C: or D:), and choose Encrypt.
- Select an authentication method.
You are to choose either Password and/or USB Stick, You don’t have to select both, but if you’d like extra security, you can select the two options. - Choose Next.
Pick a hash and encryption algorithm.
If you chose Password in Step 2, you’ll be prompted to enter a new password now as well.
Note: The option about ignoring free disk space is checked by default and can be left that way. - Click Next.
If you entered a password in the previous step, and didn’t choose USB authentication in Step 2, then skip to Step 5.Select the USB drive you wish to use as authentication from the dropdown.
- Click Finish.
- Click Yes to begin the encryption process.
Reviews on COMODO Disk Encryption
COMODO Disk Encryption is a nice program but only because of how easy it is use. Due to the fact that it lacks features like pausing, full support for USB devices, and the ability to encrypt more than one hard drive at once, I don’t recommend this to be your first choice when selecting a disk encryption program.
However, if you’re fine with those disadvantages, then by all means install COMODO Disk Encryption. Given that there isn’t a huge variety of free disk encryption programs out there, it definitely doesn’t hurt to use this one if there’s something particular you like about it.
COMODO produces some fantastic freeware software, like COMODO Backup, a free backup program, and COMODO Rescue Disk, a free bootable antivirus tool. I’m just not a huge fan of this particular product of theirs.
I think COMODO Disk Encryption would be easier to recommend if were still being developed and it had some better features. However, as it is right now, I really think that TrueCrypt or DiskCryptor are better choices, assuming you don’t want to use Bitlocker.