StuffIt X & Encryption

Best-in-class protection because security matters
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Encrypting archives with a password
ensures your privacy

StuffIt and StuffIt Deluxe offer you the best-in-class encryption with the SITX archive format. Whether you're sending a sensitive file to someone or you're just hoping to protect files on your hard drive from prying eyes, creating an encrypted archive is the right solution. StuffIt X offers best-in-class protection and encrypts the entire archive to provide an extra layer of protection.

Best-in-Class Encryption

StuffIt offers best-in-class encryption - 512bitWhen you are sending sensitive files to other people, you can use encryption to protect your files with a password. This means if someone other than your intended recipient receives the archive that the files are stored in, they will not be able to open it and gain access to your documents. Encryption is only available when you are creating a StuffIt or Zip archive.

StuffIt X archives can be created with encryption. There are four compression
methods supported:

  • 1=RC4 - Supports up to 512bit key lengths.
  • 2=DES - Supports to 64bit key lengths
  • 3=BlowFish - Supports up to 448bit key lengths
  • 4=AES - Supports up to 256bit key lengths

StuffIt X Encryption vs. Zip Encryption

StuffIt X offers four different encryption methods, but defaults to the stronger 512-bit RC4 encryption. Also, the encryption in StuffIt X encrypts the entire archive. A password is required to view or expand the contents of the archive.

Support for expanding encrypted Zip archives is limited. While the StuffIt utilities can expand encrypted Zips, many tools including the Zip utilities built into Windows and OS X cannot.

Tip: Any encryption method you use to protect your files is only as strong as your passphrase. When you see encryption methods rated by strength (40bit, 128bit, 512bit, etc) the number used indicates how many "bits" your passphrase can contain. Stronger encryption methods simply allow you to use longer passphrases. For the most secure passphrases, avoid using common names, or words that can be found in a standard dictionary. The most common way to defeat, or "hack", a secure archive is to use common dictionary words to guess the passphrase. When you enter your passphrase the "Password Quality" bar will indicate how secure your passphrase will be.