Encryption tool gains support for TrueCrypt containers

A closed-source encryption tool from Canada’s Exlade has added support for TrueCrypt containers after that software is no longer supported. At the same time, the makers come up with a free version of the software.

The company’s Cryptic Disk 4 software, currently only available for Windows, allows users to read and add files to their old TrueCrypt containers, but only existing TrueCrypt containers can be read. The tool does not provide the ability to create new TrueCrypt containers; for new containers only the native format of the tool is supported.

According to Exlade, the software is free to use, with a number of limitations: for example, encrypting entire disks is only possible with the paid version, which costs 65 Canadian dollars, converted 45 euros. Also algorithms other than AES, such as Serpent and Blowfish, are only accessible in the paid version. That version also offers the possibility to encrypt data with multiple algorithms.

The developers of TrueCrypt suddenly pulled the plug on the project in May and users were advised to stop using the cryptography software. The software might contain security vulnerabilities. It is still not clear how exactly the fork is in the stem.