Liquid Frog
FAQ's
Strong Arm
ANSWERS
  1. What is Strong Arm
    Strong Arm is encryption software. It allows you to add a hidden watermark that contains your copyright information (or any other information you choose) in text format and embed that information in your file.

    If someone should attempt to steal that file, you can prove ownership by revealing the hidden copyright information using the free Strong Arm viewer.
    [Back to top]
  2. What platforms does Strong Arm run on
    Strong Arm is currently able to run on the following Windows operating systems:

    XP Home and XP Professional, 2000, NT, ME & 98
    [Back to top]
  3. What files can be encrypted with Strong Arm
    At present Strong Arm can encrypt a large number of file types. For a full list please visit the main page of the site, find the section near the bottom "Supports a massive list of file types" and click "(details click here)."
    [Back to top]
  4. What encryption methods does Strong Arm use
    It would not be appropriate to disclose the exact encryption used except to say that it uses methods that we have developed in house.

    We have taken this path rather than using standard encryption techniques because the wealth of information available on the internet for standard encryption algorithms means anyone wishing to break the encryption has a known starting point. With Strong Arm there is no known starting point and that makes it much harder to crack.
    [Back to top]
  5. How are my original files affected when I encrypt them
    Strong Arm takes your original files, makes a copy and applies the encryption. It then saves this copy of the files rather than overwriting your originals.

    The original files are returned to their initial state and are never overwritten.
    [Back to top]
  6. Should I backup my files before running Strong Arm on them
    As with any software that makes changes to files, you should backup your originals.

    Strong Arm does not actually "change" anything in your original files but it does "read" them. If there is a power failure or surge when Strong Arm is reading your file, there is a chance that the file could become corrupted.

    We would strongly recommend that you make copies of the files you wish to encrypt and pass them through the encryption software. This way your original files will always be safe.
    [Back to top]
  7. Why can't I encrypt some .exe .mdb or xls files
    Some files are written differently to others. Whilst Strong Arm is able to encrypt and protect most files of these types, there are some that it cannot. This is where there is a danger that the encryption could alter the contents of the saved file.

    There are no hard and fast rules as to which files it can encrypt and which it can't. The best option is to try it and see but Strong Arm is able to sucessfully encrypt 98% of these file types. Please remember to always work on copies of your files rather than the originals.
    [Back to top]
  8. How many files can I encrypt at a time
    There is no limit to the numbers of files that you can encrypt in one go with Strong Arm. Whilst Strong Arm is quick in operation though, the more files it has to deal with the longer it will take.

    In our own benchmark tests Strong Arm is able to encrypt 100 .jpg files of 86Kb each in 4 seconds. When that number is increased to 250 files of 86Kb, the time it takes extends to 14 seconds. Clearly the more files you encrypt in a single operation, the longer it is going to take overall. We would recommend that you encrypt in batches of 150 or less.
    [Back to top]
  9. What would happen if someone should try to remove my digital signature
    The encrypted file created by Strong Arm is saved in such a way that any attempt to remove the encrypted watermarking will usually destroy the data it is protecting.

    Those who would want to steal your files and remove your encryption data will probably be faced with hours of tedious work for no reward. This makes it an unworthwhile excercise for potential internet thieves.
    [Back to top]
  10. Does Strong Arm only protect internet files
    No. You can use it to protect any supported file. For instance, if you wanted to share your files with another person in another company but wanted to make sure they could not claim the contents of the files as their own you could protect them with Strong Arm.

    If you wanted to license images or music files you have created to other people, you could encrypt the terms of the license into the files. If you yourself have paid a license to use any sort of file, you could encrypt your own details into the files to prevent others using what you have paid for.

    In fact you don't even have to encrypt just copyright or license details. You can encrypt a file with any information you want. It could be instructions, a file distribution list, details of the file itself or anything at all! The list goes on and is only limited by your own imagination. The license that comes with the free viewer means that you can freely distribute it with no restrictions. This means everyone can have the ability to read the data encrypted into a file. Simply add the encryption data to your file. Send the file and bundle the viewer with it!
    [Back to top]
  11. How much data can I encrypt into a file
    It depends entirely on you and how much you want to type in. There's no real limit as such but you need to remember that the more you type in the bigger the file will become and the longer it will take to both encrypt and, if you're using the file on a web page, the longer it will take to load.

    If required, you could have many pages of data embedded into a file but we would recommend a few lines or paragraph at most unless file size really isn't an issue for you.
    [Back to top]
  12. By how much does the size of my file increase when encrytped
    This depends entirely on how much data you encrypt into the file. As an example the following phrase would add 1Kb to your file:
    "This file is copyright 2004 by me"

    However there is a minimum overhead added by the encryption and no matter how small the text you add, it will always be a minimum of 1Kb. Just the letter "a" would still add 1Kb.

    A further example phrase:
    This file is copyright 2004 by me. I own this file so don't try to steal it. I can prove that I own this file by this copyright information that has been encrypted into it".
    That phrase would add a little under 2Kb to your file. Where your file is 200Kb already, it's not going to make much difference - less than 1%, but where your file is very small, say 2Kb, it could double it.

    If you are using this file on a web site, again it's not going to make much difference, unless you have many small files in which case it could make your pages load slower. Today though, most people have some form of broadband connection so file sizes aren't as critical as they once were.
    [Back to top]
  13. I made a mistake when I encrypted a file. Why am I unable to edit the file
    We have purposely not included the ability to edit a signature once it has been encrypted into a file. With this function available, anyone could purchase the software and change your encrypted data for their own. They could then claim that they own the file and you would have no way to say differently. In fact, they would even be able to say that they own the file and YOU stole it from them!

    We have no plans to change this and we will never release an editor. This would negate the purpose of the software. We recommend that you check what you have typed carefully before encrypting the file. Once it has been encrypted, you cannot change it and will have to delete the file and encrypt it again.
    [Back to top]
  14. How often are updates to Strong Arm released
    We do not have a "roadmap" for regular updates as such. The software performs well and does not require regular updating.

    We do understand however that all software comes in for scrutiny from certain types of individual and we are always working on new encryption algorithms. If we become aware that the encryption has been broken or compromised in some way, we will update the encryption methods used and release a critical update.

    Additional releases may also take place from time to time that improve the functionality or ability of the software. These updates are based on the feedback we receive from users of the software who may suggest additions or changes to improve it.

    All purchasers of Strong Arm are entitled to these updates free of any charge.
    [Back to top]
  15. How do I find out what the current version of the software is
    Go to the site. Click on Strong Arm under Products. At the bottom of the page you will see the current version
    [Back to top]
  16. How do I find out which version I have
    Start Strong Arm. Click Help - About. Version information can be found at the top.
    [Back to top]
  17. Can I suggest a way to improve Strong Arm
    Yes of course. We actively encourage users of our software to suggest improvements so that the software can be developed still further. To make a suggestion please use the contact form on the site and send your comments to feedback.
    [Back to top]
Jump to:
Powered by ODFaq v2.1.0