Download Cipher: What Is It and How to Use It?
If you are looking for a way to secure your data and web servers, you might have come across the term "download cipher". But what does it mean and how can you use it? In this article, we will explain what cipher is, why you should use it, how to download it, and how to use it.
What Is Cipher?
Cipher is a general term that refers to a method or algorithm for encrypting or decrypting data. However, in the context of Windows operating systems, there are two specific tools that are called cipher:
download cipher
Cipher.exe: A command-line tool that allows you to manage encrypted data by using the Encrypting File System (EFS).
IIS Crypto: A graphical user interface (GUI) tool that allows you to enable or disable protocols, ciphers, hashes, and key exchange algorithms on Windows Server for SSL/TLS configuration.
Cipher.exe: A Command-Line Tool for Encrypting File System
EFS is a feature of Windows that enables you to encrypt files and folders on NTFS volumes. EFS uses public key cryptography to protect your data from unauthorized access. You can use EFS to encrypt individual files or folders, or entire drives.
Cipher.exe is a tool that comes with Windows 2000 or later versions that allows you to manage EFS from the command prompt. You can use cipher.exe to encrypt or decrypt files or folders, back up or restore encryption keys, display or change encryption attributes, and overwrite deleted data on a hard disk.
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IIS Crypto: A GUI Tool for SSL/TLS Configuration
SSL/TLS is a protocol that enables secure communication between web servers and web browsers. SSL/TLS uses certificates and keys to authenticate the identity of the server and encrypt the data exchanged between the server and the browser.
IIS Crypto is a free tool that allows you to configure SSL/TLS settings on Windows Server for Internet Information Services (IIS), which is a web server software. You can use IIS Crypto to enable or disable protocols, ciphers, hashes, and key exchange algorithms, reorder SSL/TLS cipher suites, change advanced settings, implement best practices, create custom templates, and more.
Why Use Cipher?
Using cipher tools can provide you with several benefits, such as:
Benefits of Encrypting File System
It protects your sensitive data from unauthorized access, even if your computer is stolen or compromised.
It allows you to share encrypted files or folders with other authorized users or groups.
It does not affect the performance or usability of your files or folders.
It integrates with other Windows features, such as BitLocker, Backup and Restore, and File History.
Benefits of SSL/TLS Configuration
It secures your web server and web site from hackers, eavesdroppers, and man-in-the-middle attacks.
It enhances your web site's reputation and trustworthiness among visitors and customers.
It improves your web site's ranking and visibility on search engines.
It allows you to comply with industry standards and regulations, such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, etc.
How to Download Cipher?
Depending on which cipher tool you want to use, you can download it from different sources:
How to Download Cipher.exe
Cipher.exe is a built-in tool that comes with Windows 2000 or later versions. You do not need to download it separately. You can access it from the command prompt by typing cipher and pressing Enter. You can also find it in the %SystemRoot%\System32 folder on your computer.
How to Download IIS Crypto
IIS Crypto is a free tool that you can download from the official website of Nartac Software, which is the developer of the tool. You can choose between two versions: IIS Crypto 3.2 and IIS Crypto 2.0. The latest version, IIS Crypto 3.2, supports Windows Server 2019, 2016, 2012 R2, 2012, and 2008 R2. The older version, IIS Crypto 2.0, supports Windows Server 2003 and Vista. You can download the tool from this link:
How to Use Cipher?
Once you have downloaded the cipher tool you want to use, you can follow these steps to use it:
How to Use Cipher.exe
To use cipher.exe, you need to open the command prompt as an administrator and type the command cipher followed by the parameters and switches that specify the action you want to perform. Here are some of the syntax and parameters you can use with cipher.exe:
Syntax and Parameters
Syntax
Description
cipher /e /d /c /k /r /u /n /w /x /y /adduser /removeuser /rekey /? [Path]
Performs encryption or decryption operations on files or folders.
cipher /e [Path]
Encrypts the specified files or folders.
cipher /d [Path]
Decrypts the specified files or folders.
cipher /c [Path]
Displays the encryption state of the specified files or folders.
cipher /k
Creates a new file encryption key for the user running cipher.
cipher /r:FileName
Creates a new recovery agent certificate and private key.
cipher /u [/n]
Updates the encrypted files or folders to use the current encryption key.
cipher /n
Prevents files or folders from being encrypted when updating.
cipher /w:Path
Removes data from available unused disk space on the entire volume.
cipher /x[:efsfile] FileName
Backs up the user's file encryption key or certificate to a specified file.
cipher /y[:efsfile]
Restores the user's file encryption key or certificate from a specified file.
cipher /adduser [/certfile:FileName /certstore] [/s:Directory] [/a] [/f] [/i] [/r] [/n] [Path]
Adds a user to the specified encrypted files or folders.
cipher /removeuser [/certfile:FileName /certstore] [/s:Directory] [/a] [/f] [/i] [/r] [/n] [Path]
Removes a user from the specified encrypted files or folders.
cipher /rekey [/s:Directory] [/a] [/f] [/i] [/r] [/n] [Path]
Re-encrypts all encrypted files with a new random key.</ Examples
Here are some examples of how to use cipher.exe:
To encrypt a file named secret.txt, type cipher /e secret.txt
To decrypt a file named secret.txt, type cipher /d secret.txt
To display the encryption state of a file named secret.txt, type cipher /c secret.txt
To create a new file encryption key for the current user, type cipher /k
To create a new recovery agent certificate and private key and save them to a file named recovery.pfx, type cipher /r:recovery
To update all encrypted files on the C: drive to use the current encryption key, type cipher /u C:
To overwrite all deleted data on the C: drive with zeros, type cipher /w:C:
To back up the current user's file encryption key or certificate to a file named backup.pfx, type cipher /x backup.pfx
To restore the current user's file encryption key or certificate from a file named backup.pfx, type cipher /y backup.pfx
To add a user named Alice to an encrypted file named secret.txt using her certificate file named alice.cer, type cipher /adduser /certfile:alice.cer secret.txt
To remove a user named Alice from an encrypted file named secret.txt using her certificate file named alice.cer, type cipher /removeuser /certfile:alice.cer secret.txt
To re-encrypt all encrypted files on the C: drive with a new random key, type cipher /rekey C:
How to Use IIS Crypto
To use IIS Crypto, you need to download and install it on your Windows Server. Then, you can launch it from the Start menu or the desktop shortcut. Here are some of the features and options you can use with IIS Crypto:
Features and Options
Feature/Option
Description
Best Practices
A button that applies the recommended SSL/TLS settings based on industry standards and best practices.
Protocols
A tab that allows you to enable or disable SSL/TLS protocols, such as SSL 2.0, SSL 3.0, TLS 1.0, TLS 1.1, TLS 1.2, and TLS 1.3.
Ciphers
A tab that allows you to enable or disable SSL/TLS ciphers, such as AES, RC4, 3DES, etc.
Hashes
A tab that allows you to enable or disable SSL/TLS hashes, such as MD5, SHA1, SHA256, etc.
Key Exchanges
A tab that allows you to enable or disable SSL/TLS key exchange algorithms, such as RSA, DH, ECDH, etc.
Cipher Suites
A tab that allows you to reorder SSL/TLS cipher suites by dragging and dropping them in the preferred order.
Advanced Settings
A button that opens a window that allows you to change advanced SSL/TLS settings, such as client certificates, session resumption, session caching, etc.
Templates
A drop-down menu that allows you to select from predefined SSL/TLS templates or create your own custom template.
Server Info
A button that opens a window that displays information about your web server and its SSL/TLS configuration.
Apply/Revert Registry Settings
A button that applies or reverts the changes made by IIS Crypto to the Windows registry.
Restart/Stop/Start Services
A button that restarts/stops/starts the IIS and HTTP services after applying or reverting the changes made by IIS Crypto.
<im Examples
Here are some examples of how to use IIS Crypto:
To apply the best practices for SSL/TLS configuration, click on the Best Practices button and then click on the Apply button.
To enable only TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3 protocols, go to the Protocols tab and uncheck the boxes for SSL 2.0, SSL 3.0, TLS 1.0, and TLS 1.1. Then click on the Apply button.
To disable weak ciphers, such as RC4 and 3DES, go to the Ciphers tab and uncheck the boxes for RC4 and 3DES. Then click on the Apply button.
To reorder the cipher suites by preference, go to the Cipher Suites tab and drag and drop the cipher suites in the desired order. Then click on the Apply button.
To change the advanced settings, such as requiring client certificates or enabling session resumption, click on the Advanced Settings button and make the changes in the window that opens. Then click on the OK button.
To select a predefined template, such as PCI or FIPS, go to the Templates drop-down menu and select the template you want. Then click on the Apply button.
To create a custom template, go to the Templates drop-down menu and select New Template. Then make the changes you want in the tabs and click on the Save As button. Give your template a name and click on the OK button.
To view your server information, such as OS version, IIS version, certificate details, etc., click on the Server Info button and see the information in the window that opens.
To revert the changes made by IIS Crypto, click on the Revert Registry Settings button and then click on the Restart Services button.
To stop or start the IIS and HTTP services manually, click on the Stop Services or Start Services button respectively.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explained what cipher is, why you should use it, how to download it, and how to use it. Cipher is a term that refers to two different tools for Windows operating systems: cipher.exe and IIS Crypto. Cipher.exe is a command-line tool that allows you to manage encrypted data by using EFS. IIS Crypto is a GUI tool that allows you to configure SSL/TLS settings for IIS. Both tools can help you secure your data and web servers from unauthorized access and attacks. We hope you have found this article helpful and informative.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about cipher:
Q: What is the difference between cipher.exe and IIS Crypto?
A: Cipher.exe is a command-line tool that allows you to manage encrypted data by using EFS. IIS Crypto is a GUI tool that allows you to configure SSL/TLS settings for IIS.
Q: How can I download cipher.exe?
A: Cipher.exe is a built-in tool that comes with Windows 2000 or later versions. You do not need to download it separately. You can access it from the command prompt by typing cipher and pressing Enter.
Q: How can I download IIS Crypto?
A: IIS Crypto is a free tool that you can download from the official website of Nartac Software. You can choose between two versions: IIS Crypto 3.2 and IIS Crypto 2.0. The latest version supports Windows Server 2019, 2016, 2012 R2, 2012, and 2008 R2. The older version supports Windows Server 2003 and Vista.
Q: How can I use cipher.exe?
A: To use cipher.exe, you need to open the command prompt as an administrator and type the command cipher followed by the parameters and switches that specify the action you want to perform. You can encrypt or decrypt files or folders, back up or restore encryption keys display or change encryption attributes, and overwrite deleted data on a hard disk.
Q: How can I use IIS Crypto?
A: To use IIS Crypto, you need to download and install it on your Windows Server. Then, you can launch it from the Start menu or the desktop shortcut. You can enable or disable protocols, ciphers, hashes, and key exchange algorithms, reorder cipher suites, change advanced settings, implement best practices, create custom templates, and more.
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