How does WinSesame work ?

WinSesame writes in memory the image of the folder or file to protect then encrypts this image using one of the six algorithms available and saves this image in a file. After several checks in order to avoid any loss of data, it removes all traces of the unencrypted data on the disc and the memory. Thus a folder protected by WinSesame no longer has the structure of a folder but the structure of a file. To unencrypt and open the folder or the file the opposite process is applied. Winsesame can lock files or file folders. In practice when a folder contains a large number of small files it is easier to lock the folder. When a folder contains files of large size it is preferable to lock the files independently.

Under which version of Windows does WinSesame work ?

WinSesame works on all the current versions of Windows : 98SE/Me/2000/XP/2003/Vista/7 in versions 32 or 64 bits.

I forgot a password : what can I do ?

It is absolutely impossible even for the designers of the software to find a lost password or to open the folder. The cryptographic algorithms used by WinSesame are designed to resist the most powerful methods of breaking and the key does not appear anywhere in the encrypted data (lost key system). More : in order to limit the attempts of attack by application of passwords dictionaries, the length of the key is not limited. You can use a whole poem but be sure to remember it.

Does the removing of the software remove the protection ?

NO : A folder locked by WinSesame remains protected even if you uninstall the software.

Does WinSesame work on a limited account ?

YES : As long as your account gives you the read and write access rights to this folder and all the files it contains.

Which is the security level of WinSesame ?

The security level of WinSesame is maximum. The encoding algorithms used by WinSesame are designed to resist the most powerful methods of breaking and the key does not appear anywhere in the encrypted data (lost key system). WinSesame use 6 encryption algorithms:

• 3 special algorithms with limitless key length:

WNS910, WNS915 and WNS1020 (the most powerful algorithm available today)

• 3 standard public algorithms :

DES, TripleDES (3DES) and AES (designed for the United States Government.)

WinSesame is used by banks in the United States and in Switzerland.

Is it possible to schedule the locking of all the opened protected folders ?

The task scheduler of Windows can be used to launch the file fermses.exe located in the directory where the program is installed. This locks all the WinSesame folders you have opened. It is possible to use all the parameters of the task manager (eg: starting of the PC, idle period, at fixed hour, every hour etc…)

Is WinSesame free ?

There is a free version of WinSesame which you can use freely. This version limits the size of the folders you can lock but not the length of time it can be used. It means that if you need to lock only small folders you can use it indefinitely. The size of the folders that can be locked with the free version is 50Kb. Which allows you to lock folders containing few word or exel documents but not photos, videos or company accounting. Standard uses of the free version: a password manager where you can store all your passwords or a highly confidential folder to store the credit card numbers you use for your purchases on the Internet. From the free version you can upgrade to a full version in two clicks.
IMPORTANT: The free version is limited only for the locking of the folders but not for their opening so that it is always possible to open a big WinSesame folder with the free version. It is a safety feature against loss of data in the event of unavailability of a registered version. You will always be able to recover your data with a free version of the software (which it is advised to save somewhere).

How to no longer protect a folder ?

If you no longer want  to protect  a folder (thus it is no longer locked automatically by the function of locking of all the opened WinSesame folders), click on the checkbox "Do not save the password".

How to change the password of a folder ?

Proceed as no longer to protect the folder (see before) then lock the folder with a new password.

Can I carry a protected folder on my USB key and open it on another computer ?

YES : A folder protected with WinSesame can be carried as a file and it is even possible to send with an email. If you must open this folder on another computer where the program is not installed, just carry the free version of the program with this file and install it on the computer.

If my computer is destroyed my license lost and I cannot contact the supplier of the software to obtain a new license can I recover my protected folders stored in my safeguards ?

YES : Just install a free version of the program on your new computer. The free version is limited only for the locking of folders but not for their opening so that it is always possible to open a big WinSesame folder with the free version. It is a safety feature against loss of data in the event of unavailability of a registered version. You will always be able to recover your data with a free version of the software (which it is advised to save somewhere). Your data is not dependent on the supplier of the software.

How can I send protected data to somebody who does not have WinSesame ?

Just send your correspondent the free version of the software (or the address where he can download it) which it will install on his computer.

Does WinSesame work with Linux and Mac ?

No : WinSesame works only with Windows.

Can I use my license on several computers ?

To use WinSesame on one or more additional computers you must buy extensions of your license. The price of which represents only a part of the license price and is reduced according to the number purchased (ask us for quotation).

What to do if I change computer ?

Just tell us. We will send you a link to start a procedure of transfer of your license towards your new machine.

Can I lock files on the network ?

YES : You can lock folders on the network if you have read and write access to these folders.

If I open a protected folder on the network can the other users access it ?

When a protected folder located on the network is opened, it is opened for all those which have access to this folder. This is useful for an administrator having knowledge of the passwords to open the folders of work necessary at the beginning of day and to close them again at end-of-day. In this way it is possible to limit volumes of data from being unnecessarily exposed on corporate networks.

Which is the maximum size of the folders that WinSesame can protect ?

If you have enough free contiguous memory available (dependent on Windows memory management), you can lock folders or files up to 2 Go. WinSesame can lock folders containing up to 5000 files. In practice these limits should not prevent you from protecting all the documents on a computer, as for reasons of compatibility with differing file systems, no software creates files bigger than 2 Gb. If you need to lock folders containing more than 2Gb data, these are thus contained in several files of compatible size which can be locked independently without problem. This has moreover the advantage of faster access to the protected data, and better security by avoiding unnecessary opening of a large folder in its totality.

Can a folder protected by WinSesame be removed by somebody who can access this file?

YES : Any person who has the rights of access can remove even a locked  WinSesame folder. This is why the folders protected by WinSesame must be safeguarded like the others. Thanks to the high security level of WinSesame the reticence to have redundant safeguards of highly confidential data is removed.

Can I be refunded if I am not satisfied with WinSesame ?

This software has a free version which allows you to try it before purchase. If you buy a license it means than you know this program and appreciate it. It is not possible to be refunded once the software is activated on a computer with an activation key.

If you do not find answers to your question, please use the contact form.