A2R Strong Encrypted Archives
A2R is an encrypted archive file format optimized for storing securely a large number of moderate size data files, such as, images, text and short video files. 
The A2R files support strong encryption. Most of the existing archive formats that provide encryption, encrypt data in small size blocks. A2R format does not encrypt the entry files, but expects the entry file streams to be already encrypted. Only complete (CBC mode) encrypted entries (A2 files) are stored inside the A2R archives. Each entry files is encrypted with a different encryption key derived from the user password (PKCS #5, with SHA256 and SHA512 for 448 bit keys), with random initialization and salt vectors. From the encryption point of view, reusing the same password with different archives is thus safe. The complete encrypted streams make it impossible to detect casual patters between the encrypted data. Several well-known, strong symmetric encryption methods (AES, Blowfish, Serpent) are supported.
A2R files are designed to optimize security and privacy. The entry files streams and the A2R archive itself do not contain any marking data that can indentify them. It is impossible to detect by inspecting an A2R file, where A2R entry files start and where they end. The complete A2R file looks like a fully random stream of data. The A2R archive entry files information (the archive directory) is also encrypted as a complete (CBC mode) stream (A2 file) with a different key derived also from the user password. For extra security, the archive head offset if also encrypted with a different key. The paths, the names, and the sizes of entry files are thus protected and not visible, unless the original password used to encrypt the archive is known.
The entry files to be added to an A2R file are ordered randomly before they are appended. The time stamps of the entry files are not preserved within the A2R files. When the entry files are extracted, their time stamps are set to reasonable random values. There is no way to tell the date and the time of the A2R entry files, or any other origin data, apart of the data found within the files themselves.
Applications
The applications provided here read and write the same A2R files format, but they offer different capabilities for manipulating and maintaining the files within A2R archives. Direct preview of images and text makes these applications safe and convenient to use. For maximum safety and ease of use we recommend KittyXplorer
| Features | KittyXplorer | Ana's Archiver | CryptMateLE | A2 Tool |
| Type | GUI | GUI | GUI | Command-Line |
| Create | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| List entries | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Verify integrity | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Extract entries | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Extract subset as new archive | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Extract multiple archives | Yes | No | No | No |
| Append entries | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Delete entries | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Rename / move entries | Yes | No | No | No |
| Backup / recover directory | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Directory preview | Yes | No | No | No |
| Strong encryption modes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Direct ZIP import | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Search entries | Yes | No | No | No |
| Direct image / text preview | Yes | Yes | Limited | No |
| Resizable thumbnails | Yes | No | No | No |
| ZIP archives preview | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Split / Join | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| System history wiper | Yes | No | No | No |
| Mouse only keyboard | Yes | No | No | No |
| Multi-monitors support | Yes | No | No | No |
| Supported | Yes | No | No | No |
| License | Only $19.95 | Deprecated | Free | Free |
KittyXplorer
Strong encryption archival software with integrated image viewer and many more.
Normal price: $24.95
Only this summer: $19.95
KittyXplorer stores images and other files in safe encrypted archives. Secure file and history wiper, duplicate files finder. Strong encryption AES up to 256 bits keys, Blowfish up to 448 bit keys, Serpent up to 256 bit keys.
Write a review and get it free!
KittyXplorer Videos