AES Crypt is a multi-platform open source encryption solution for those who are looking for a well-maintained TrueCrypt alternative. Of course, there’s VeraCrypt which is based on TrueCrypt but AES Crypt has a wider platform support and desktop integration (for Gnome & KDE). AES Crypt is a good alternative to utilities like ccrypt or mcrypt.

Features

256 bit encryption algorithm

Integrates with Gnome and KDE as a file-manager extension

Available from the cmdline. Easy options.

Lightweight and easy to install

Supports Linux, Windows, Mac and Android

Implementations available in C, C++, JAVA, C# and PHP

APIs available to integrate in a custom solution

Open source and available for audit

Installation

To install AES Crypt on Ubuntu, download the Linux GUI here. Download the one matching your OS architecture. Extract and run the installer with sudo. It will fire the GUI installer.

Usage

If AES Crypt integrates with your file manager, you’re good to go. If not, try PCManFM. Use the Open With… option and type in aescrypt-gui. However, you can also use the utilities from the cmdline.

AES Crypt can only handle a single file at a time. If you want to encrypt a directory with all contents you’ll have to archive it before encrypting. One of the examples below demonstrates this. Note that AES Crypt overwrites any file with the same name as the encrypted file in the directory.