Starting FileAssurity
FileAssurity is started from the
icon in the Windows Start Menu or from the Start > Programs > ArticSoft > FileAssurity menu.Logging on
When you first start FileAssurity you are asked to provide a password so that FileAssurity can create your personal keystore. FileAssurity uses this password as one of the mechanisms for protecting your keystore.
Enter New Password
Enter a password for the keystore. Your password must be between 8 and 40 alphanumeric or special characters in this field. Please see choosing a good password.
Confirm New Password
Retype the password you entered in the 'Enter New Password' field to confirm that it is correct.
As soon as you press
your keystore is created, protected with the password you just entered. You are now logged onto your keystore and the FileAssurity GUI is displayed.FileAssurity GUI
The first thing you must do before you can protect files is generate, or import, your own personal key (so you can protect files for yourself and sign files) and import other peoples keys (so you can send protected files to others). If you are protecting files for other people they must send you their keys and you will have to import them into FileAssurity before you can protect files for them.
Generating or Importing Keys
Generating and importing keys is done in FileAssurity's Key Manager. Selecting 'Key Manager' from the Security menu displays the following tabbed dialog:
Generating your Own Key - so you can protect files for yourself and sign files
Pressing this icon displays the following dialog. 
You enter your information and press the GENERATE button. All fields must be filled in. A protection and signing key is automatically generated for you and is displayed in the 'My Own Keys' tab in Key Manager.
You can also import a key from a Certificate Authority if you prefer by pressing the
Import Key File icon.Once you have generated or imported a key you will want to export it to other people. They need this key to protect files for you!
Exporting keys - so that others can send you protected files
Pressing this icon exports the selected key from your keystore - you are prompted for a filename and path to save the exported file. Only the public part of your key is exported. It can only be used to protect files for you or verify files you have signed. The exported key file can be emailed to other people or posted on a web site since it can never be used to impersonate you.Once someone has received your key they just press the
Import Key File icon in Key Manager, select the file you emailed them and your key will automatically be added to the 'Other Peoples Keys' tab.Importing keys - so that you can send protected files to others
You must import other people's keys before you can send them protected files. They will have to generate a key in Key Manager on their computer (they can do this with either FileAssurity or the FREE reader software). Once they have generated their key they can export it and send it to you.
In Key Manager, press the
Import Key File icon and select their key. Once you have imported someone else's key it will be shown in the 'Other Peoples Keys' tab in Key Manager and will be available from the 'Protect For' pull-down list box in the FileAssurity GUI.Protecting (Encrypting & Signing) Files
1. In the FileAssurity main GUI select the people you want to protect files for from the
list box. This list box displays all the keys available in the 'My Own Keys' and 'Other Peoples Keys' tabs in Key Manager. If you want to also sign files select your key from the 
list box. If you want to protect files for multiple recipients then select 'Multiple recipients' as the key. This displays a pop-up box where you can select the names of the people you want to send protected files to.2. Select the files you want to protect. You select files in FileAssurity in the same manner as Windows Explorer – highlight the files that you wish to perform an action on. Just like Explorer, multiple files can be selected using the mouse with either the CTRL or SHIFT keys. To select all files within a folder, highlight a file within that folder, right-click and then select 'Select All Files' from the corresponding pop-up menu. If you select a folder (by selecting the folder name) then all of the files within that folder AND it's sub-folders are automatically selected. You can also drag & drop files from Windows Explorer straight onto the SECURE button in order to protect them if you prefer.
3. If you want to protect files into one single protected file (an archive file) then check the
check box. If this box is not checked then files will be protected individually.4. Press the SECURE button
Your files are automatically protected and saved in the location you specified. If you have selected to save the files as an archive you will be automatically prompted for a filename and location. Otherwise, by default, files are automatically protected to the source folder (the folder where the original unprotected files are stored). You can change where FileAssurity stores files in the Default Settings dialog accessible from the Security menu.
For more information on selecting files and folders see FileAssurity Tree View.
For more information on securing files and archives see Securing Files & Archives.
Sending Protected Files
You can right-click on your protected file(s) and select the 'Send files to mail recipients' to automatically email these files to other people. A new message is automatically created in your default email application with the protected files attached. You just select a recipient name as normal.
Unprotecting (Decrypting & Verifying) Files
1. Select the files you want to unprotect. A right-hand pane is displayed providing information about the file(s) you have selected.
2. Press the UNPROTECT/VERIFY button
If you have selected an archive file then the whole of the archive will be unprotected/verified unless you specifically select files in the archive. If you want to change where FileAssurity stores unprotected files then change the settings in the Default Settings dialog accessible from the Security menu. See Unprotecting/Verifying Files & Archives for additional information.
Securely Deleting Files
You do not have to generate or import keys in order to delete files securely. Just select the files you want to securely delete, right-click and select 'Secure Delete' from the pop-up menu. You will be asked to confirm deletion of the selected files. See Securely Deleting Files for additional information.