Vitarsoft's takes a four-pronged approach to data safety. This utility can create a simple backup, encrypt selected files and folders, password-protect an external drive, and shred unwanted files so they can't be recovered.

That's an impressive roster of capabilities for a freeware utility. There are other products that can handle similar tasks, but most of them tackle only one. Here you get four important and useful functions under one software roof.

And what a refreshingly simple roof it is. When you launch File Secure Free, you'll immediately see its four functions in tabbed selectors on the left. Pick the one you want, then perform the designated activity.

For example, if you want to back up some files or folders, just click Add Files or Add Folder, choose the the one(s) you want, and then click Backup. File Secure Free will create an image file and store in whatever local destination you choose. (Tip: choose a Dropbox or SugarSync folder to make it an online backup.)

Things work similarly simply with File Encrypter, File Shredder, and Lockup. This last lets you choose a drive volume to password-protect, then requires entry of that password to access the drive. It couldn't be much easier.