Question 1

Is the file encryptor completely free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the RoughTools File Encryptor is completely free with no subscriptions, account requirements, or hidden fees. You can encrypt and decrypt unlimited files of any type — documents, photos, archives, databases — at no cost. The tool is funded through non-intrusive advertising, keeping it permanently free for all users worldwide. There are no file count limits, no watermarks added to files, and no premium tier required to access any feature.

Question 2

Do I need to sign up or create an account to encrypt files?

Accepted Answer

No account, registration, email address, or personal information is required. Open the page, drop your file, enter a password, and click Encrypt. Your encrypted file is downloaded directly to your device. The same applies to decryption — paste your password, upload the encrypted file, and download the original. There is no user tracking, no session storage of file contents, and no login wall blocking any part of the tool.

Question 3

Is my file uploaded to a server when I encrypt it?

Accepted Answer

No. Every operation — encryption and decryption — runs entirely within your browser using the Web Cryptography API (SubtleCrypto). Your file data never leaves your device and is never transmitted to RoughTools servers. This is critical for sensitive documents: your contracts, medical records, private photos, and proprietary files stay on your machine throughout the process. The only data movement is the download of the encrypted output file to your local drive.

Question 4

Does this file encryptor work on mobile phones and tablets?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the File Encryptor works on all modern smartphones and tablets running iOS 14+ (Safari 14+) or Android 8+ (Chrome 70+). The Web Cryptography API used for AES-256-GCM encryption is supported on all current mobile browsers. You can pick files from your device storage or cloud drives and download the encrypted file directly to your phone. For large files on mobile, ensure you have sufficient free storage space before downloading.

Question 5

Which browsers are compatible with this encryption tool?

Accepted Answer

The tool works in all modern browsers that support the Web Cryptography API: Google Chrome 37+, Mozilla Firefox 34+, Microsoft Edge 79+, Safari 11+, and Opera 24+. All current versions of these browsers are fully supported on both desktop and mobile. Internet Explorer is not supported as it lacks the SubtleCrypto interface. For the best performance when encrypting large files (over 100 MB), Chrome or Firefox is recommended due to their optimized WebAssembly and memory management.

Question 6

What encryption algorithm is used — how secure is it?

Accepted Answer

The tool uses AES-256-GCM (Advanced Encryption Standard, 256-bit key, Galois/Counter Mode) — the same algorithm used by governments, banks, and security professionals worldwide. The key is derived from your password using PBKDF2 with SHA-256 and 100,000 iterations with a random 128-bit salt, making brute-force attacks against weak passwords computationally expensive. GCM mode also provides authenticated encryption, meaning the decryption process detects if the file has been tampered with or corrupted. Each encryption uses a fresh random 96-bit IV (initialization vector).

Question 7

How do I encrypt a file step by step?

Accepted Answer

To encrypt a file: (1) Select "Encrypt" mode at the top of the page. (2) Click the upload area or drag and drop your file — any file type is supported. (3) Enter a strong password in the password field. Use a long passphrase (12+ characters with mixed types) for best security. (4) Optionally click the eye icon to reveal and verify your password. (5) Click "Encrypt & Download". The encrypted file is saved as your original filename with an ".enc" extension. Store your password securely — without it, decryption is mathematically impossible.

Question 8

How do I decrypt a file encrypted with this tool?

Accepted Answer

To decrypt a file: (1) Select "Decrypt" mode using the tab at the top. (2) Upload the encrypted ".enc" file produced by this tool. (3) Enter the exact password used during encryption — it is case-sensitive and must match precisely. (4) Click "Decrypt & Download". The original file is restored and downloaded. If the password is incorrect or the file was tampered with, AES-GCM authentication will reject the decryption and display an error. There is no password recovery — only the original password will work.

Question 9

Why should I use RoughTools instead of other file encryption websites?

Accepted Answer

Most online file encryption services upload your file to their servers, decrypt it there, then send it back — creating a window where your sensitive data is exposed. RoughTools File Encryptor is 100% client-side: your file never leaves your browser. The tool uses AES-256-GCM with PBKDF2 key derivation — the same standard used by professional password managers and security software. There are no file size restrictions imposed by server bandwidth, no watermarks, no accounts, and the complete source is inspectable in your browser developer tools.

Question 10

How do I report a bug or request a new feature?

Accepted Answer

To report a bug or suggest a feature for the File Encryptor, use the feedback link in the site footer or visit the RoughTools contact page. When reporting an encryption or decryption issue, include: the browser name and version, operating system, file type and approximate size, and whether you are encrypting or decrypting. Useful feature requests include: batch file encryption, password strength meter integration, support for additional formats, or drag-and-drop improvements. All requests are reviewed and prioritised regularly.

Question 11

What happens if I forget the password used to encrypt a file?

Accepted Answer

If you forget your encryption password, the file cannot be recovered. AES-256-GCM is a symmetric encryption algorithm with no backdoor, no master key, and no password recovery mechanism. The key derivation uses PBKDF2 with 100,000 iterations specifically to make brute-force guessing slow — even with supercomputers, recovering a strong 12-character password would take thousands of years. This is a security feature, not a flaw. Always store your encryption password in a password manager immediately after encrypting important files.

Question 12

Can I encrypt any file type — PDFs, videos, ZIP archives?

Accepted Answer

Yes, any file type can be encrypted: PDFs, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, ZIP/RAR archives, photos (JPEG, PNG, RAW), videos (MP4, MOV), audio files, database exports, source code, and any other binary or text file. The tool reads the raw bytes of the file regardless of its format and encrypts the entire content. The resulting ".enc" file contains the AES-GCM ciphertext along with the salt and IV required for decryption. The original file type is restored exactly upon decryption.

File Encryptor

AES-256-GCM File Encryptor & Decryptor

How the Encryption Works

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the file encryptor completely free to use?

Do I need to sign up or create an account to encrypt files?

Is my file uploaded to a server when I encrypt it?

Does this file encryptor work on mobile phones and tablets?

Which browsers are compatible with this encryption tool?

What encryption algorithm is used — how secure is it?

How do I encrypt a file step by step?

How do I decrypt a file encrypted with this tool?

Why should I use RoughTools instead of other file encryption websites?

How do I report a bug or request a new feature?

What happens if I forget the password used to encrypt a file?

Can I encrypt any file type — PDFs, videos, ZIP archives?

💬 Feedback or Bug Report

File Encryptor

AES-256-GCM File Encryptor & Decryptor

How the Encryption Works

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the file encryptor completely free to use?

Do I need to sign up or create an account to encrypt files?

Is my file uploaded to a server when I encrypt it?

Does this file encryptor work on mobile phones and tablets?

Which browsers are compatible with this encryption tool?

What encryption algorithm is used — how secure is it?

How do I encrypt a file step by step?

How do I decrypt a file encrypted with this tool?

Why should I use RoughTools instead of other file encryption websites?

How do I report a bug or request a new feature?

What happens if I forget the password used to encrypt a file?

Can I encrypt any file type — PDFs, videos, ZIP archives?

💬 Feedback or Bug Report

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