PKWARE, the leading provider of data-centric security solutions, today announced the release of SecureZIP(R) for Windows(R) Desktop, version 12.1. This latest version revolutionizes public key cryptography by making it available to and easily used by businesses and consumers, novices or power users.

The new SecureZIP lets every person protect his or her most important and sensitive files, whether in a global enterprise, a small business or at home. Originally released in 2005, SecureZIP is deployed in over 25,000 companies, including 60% of the Fortune 100.

"SecureZIP does everything you'd expect from a ZIP archive utility and much more. It makes securing e-mail attachments and messages simple and brings public key cryptography into every user's reach," said Neil Rubenking, lead analyst at PC Magazine. After conducting a review of SecureZIP v12.1, the publication gave the product its coveted "PC Magazine Editors' Choice(R) "award on May 28, 2008; the second such honor for SecureZIP in the past two years.

SecureZIP v12.1 automatically installs an X.509 digital certificate and provides global directory services so files can be securely exchanged with others without requiring passwords. When a user sends an email and attachment, SecureZIP retrieves the public key of the recipient from the SecureZIP Global Directory and encrypts the information using that key.

The recipient can then open the encrypted file using their private key. This functionality is the result of a technology partnership between PKWARE and Comodo Group, one of the security industry's leading certificate authorities. Digital certificates also authenticate the file's sender to assure recipients that the communication received can be trusted and has not been altered or tampered with in any way.

In addition, the new release fully integrates with Microsoft Office(R) and email applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, making Microsoft Office a secure application.

"This version of SecureZIP for Windows is unique in that it brings the benefits of data-centric security to all sizes and types of businesses as well as consumers worldwide," said George Haddix, CEO of PKWARE. "With SecureZIP, PKWARE offers further proof that enterprise-class data-centric security is not just for large organizations. It can be implemented and used with ease and absolute confidence by any user in any environment."

SecureZIP for Windows Enterprise Edition provides contingency key functionality so businesses can access and recover files encrypted by employees. SecureZIP for Windows Standard Edition is available starting at $39.95 for commercial users and is offered at no cost to non-commercial users.

To download a free version of SecureZIP for non-commercial use, visit http://www.securezip.com. For more information about SecureZIP or to download trial versions for commercial use, visit http://www.pkware.com