Cloaker, a file encryption application with a Qt5 interface

about cloaker

In the next article we are going to take a look at Cloaker. This application aims to provide users with the ability to code files as easily as possible. It is one of the easiest tools to encrypt and decrypt individual files. Also has Multiplatform support, which means that in addition to Gnu / Linux systems, we will also find it available for MacOS and Windows.

This tool uses a basic Qt5 user interface in which we will have to drag and drop a file to encrypt or decrypt it. It is a free and open source tool in which we will only have to select the file, write a password with a minimum length of 10 characters and choose the destination location. Then we just have to wait for the program to do its part. To use this tool we will not need to install anything, we will only have to run the program file.

We must always keep in mind when using this type of program, that We must not forget the password that we establish when encrypting a file, since it cannot be recovered. If we forget about it, we will lose the encrypted data. For this reason it is important to save the password used to encrypt a file, in a password manager such as KeePass or in some other safe way.

General characteristics of Cloaker

cloaker interface

  • The creators of Cloaker say on their website that they seek to provide users with a program to password protect files that is very easy to use.
  • The aim is to avoid leaving files half-encrypted in case of program failure. For this reason, encryption is limited to one file at a time. In case we want to encrypt several files, we will have to add them to a compressed file, such as a .zip file.
  • This application is designed to be used through a graphical user interface, but Cloaker also offers the possibility of using the command line, with which we can encrypt and decrypt our files. This interface for the command line can also be used in Windows, MacOS and Gnu / Linux. The CLI is not available in the Gnu / Linux binary and its use is not explained in the project description, but it can be compiled from source code for testing.
  • The core of the application is written in Rust, and the GUI in C ++ with MFC and Qt. cloaker uses XChaCha20Poly1305 encryption to secure our files. This software can securely encrypt an unlimited number of messages with the same key, up to approximately 256GB.
  • In version 2.0 of the project the encryption and decryption buttons were removed. As well Windows MFC GUI removed in favor of Qt, statically linked on the 3 platforms on which the program can be used.
Jumble-Password
Related article:
Jumble Password an application to create passwords in Ubuntu

Download the Cloaker file encryption tool

add password cloaker

As we have said before, Cloaker does not require any installation. We will only have to download the corresponding file for Gnu / Linux from the releases page of the project. Once the download is finished, we have to extract the file it contains on our computer. We will only have to use the file Cloaker.run to launch the program. It must be said that this software requires at least glibc version 2.25.

We will be able run Cloaker on Ubuntu using terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T). In it we will have to write from the location where we unzip the downloaded package, the following:

./Cloaker.run

It also can drag and drop the Cloaker.run file onto a terminal window. Then we will only have to press the Enter key to execute it, as shown in the following screenshot.

launch from terminal

As indicated in la project website, in a more or less distant future, Cloaker is planned to receive updates and improvements as they would be; a progress indicator or some speed statistics. In addition, further enhancements should also come to the command line interface. In the future, they indicate that they are also considering creating a mobile version of the program.


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  1.   joscat said

    I recommend another equally easy and cross-platform program, QCCRYPT.

    Encrypt files and / or folders with dragging to the application window, encrypt and decrypt buttons, progress bar, with QT5 libraries, etc.

    It would be interesting if the editor did a little review to make it known. 😉