ElcomSoft Co. Ltd. has released Advanced EFS Data Recovery (AEFSDR) 3.2 for Windows, a powerful data recovery application that makes it easy to recover (decrypt) files encrypted on NTFS (EFS) partitions created in Windows 2003, XP, 2000, and Vista.

Microsoft EFS allows users to store confidential information on a computer when people who have physical access to your computer could otherwise compromise that information, intentionally or unintentionally. EFS is especially useful for securing sensitive data on portable computers or on computers shared by several users. Encrypting sensitive files by means of EFS adds another layer of security.

With AEFSDR, protected files can be decrypted, even when the system is not bootable so you cannot log on, or when some encryption keys (private or master) have been tampered with. In addition, decryption is possible even when Windows is protected using SYSKEY. AEFSDR effectively (and instantly) decrypts the files protected under all versions of Windows 2000, Windows XP (including Service Pack 2), Windows 2003, and Windows Vista.

In addition to enhancing EFS security protection in Vista, Microsoft has added a new Vista facility called BitLocker. BitLocker, however, will be used to protect only a small portion of Vista users' data. BitLocker works only on the Ultimate Version of Vista. It requires special hardware in the form of a TPM chip on the motherboard. Also, BitLocker protects only the system drive, but none of the data drives. AEFSDR will continue to work effectively with the non-BitLocker portion of data stored on Vista machines.

AEFSDR makes it easier for business managers to deal with lost and destroyed encryption keys, as well as with employees who, intentionally or unintentionally, are unable to access critical files that have been encrypted. While some situations make it impossible to recover encryption keys, if the keys are somewhere on the system, and not totally corrupted, AEFSDR can usually find and restore the critical information that will make your system accessible again.

AEFSDR is also a state-of-the-art computer forensics tool that is used extensively by law enforcement, military, and intelligence agencies to open secured files.

The program includes faster decryption speeds under all versions of Windows, as easy-to use Wizard that lets computer novices and experts quickly identify and decrypt files, and improved support for non-US versions of Windows including Japanese, Chinese, and other versions that use UNICODE.

While Microsoft has made it easier for home users to encrypt files, it's also much easier to encrypt files, and later make changes to the computer that make these secure files impossible to open again. AEFSDR solves this problem by making these protected files usable. Business people and home users can use it to recover lost files, and law enforcement officers have found that AEFSDR can give them access to encrypted files that would otherwise not be accessible.

More Information: Please visit the program's homepage at http://efs.elcomsoft.com

System Requirements: Windows NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista with Administrator privileges, 600K free on Hard Disk.

Price: $99(US); free trial version is available.