Here is simple, stable, free file

encryption for Pocket PC. It works with WAV files,

pictures of all types, anything I’ve tried, and obviously

text files of any type.

    I’ve used the encryption built

into Resco’s File Explorer a bit, but it is less straightforward,

in a proprietary format which makes some users question

its security. So far I’ve found no data-security application

for Microsoft’s 128-bit encryption, though it helps

    This Lucifer is no fallen

angel. With a bit of practice, it could easily become

part of routine use, allowing peace of mind for the

high-flying Armani-clad type to the closet web-lurker,

and everyone in between. Just don’t lose your passwords!

    Unpack the zipped files

using PKzip, or whatever works for you. Here are the

contents of the first-level folder:

    This is in Resco’s Zipper

. So auto-install is easy. Just unpack the correct

.CAB file for your processor type, tap it, and the

program is installed.

    The executable resides in WindowsStart

MenuPrograms. No shortcut. If you move it, be prepared

to edit your registry to restore full function. Since

I like to keep my folder structure clean, I moved

it to WindowsStart MenuProgramsUtility. Of course

now the registry association with .LUC files was useless,

so I used PHM’s

value= WindowsStart MenuProgramsLucifer.exe,-104

Changed to this, just adding Utility: WindowsStart

MenuProgramsUtilityLucifer.exe,-104

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTlucfileShellOpenCommand value=

“WindowsStart MenuProgramsLucifer.exe” %1

Changed to this, again adding only Utility: “WindowsStart

I had full function again, with the key icon on all

.LUC files and tap-opening of encrypted files. Not

necessarily for all users, but if you like to keep

your device menus tidy a useful tip – applicable to

most programs.

    To start, go to StartPrograms

and tap the Lucifer icon. A very simple window appears:

    Icons include a closed lock for a

new encryption job, an open lock to decrypt from a list

of previous jobs, a ‘?’ to access the Help file, and

an ‘X’ to close the application. That’s it. No configuration

dialogue required, not even an ‘About’ page. Tapping

the ‘New’ button returns you to the Today screen, but

doesn’t quit the program – either reenter via the Start

Menu or use your task switcher to get back in.

    To encrypt your first file, tap the

closed lock icon on the far left. On my Casio EG-800

this first All Files/All Folders search takes about

18 seconds to finish, with a rather loaded 64 mb CF

card in place. A default folder setting option would

be nice. Subsequent tries yield about 5 seconds of waiting

before every file in every My Documents folder is displayed.

Now this is an extreme test, as I usually have at least

4 My Documents folders in my machine, with lots of

sub-folders. The EG-800 has 2 Flash RAM locations built

in, where I keep frequently used files that I can’t

lose in a crash. I also run a 3-partitioned 6 gb hard

drive, so at times I have as many as 6 My Documents

folders to be scanned by any file browser or listing.

Most users will have only 1 or 2, but since Microdrives

are popular some will have large file lists like I do.

For less crowded machines expect shorter times. And

regardless of closing and reopening the program, the

shorter time will prevail until the next soft reset.

    All file types are displayed with

icons, so just tap one. The list closes, and a password

input box appears:

    This is a crucial place to avoid

errors, so Fran