What is a .PAE file?
The .PAE file extension stands for PowerArchiver Encrypted Archive. This type of file is a special kind of compressed file, which means it is used to store other files inside it in a way that takes up less space on your computer. What makes .PAE files unique is that they are also encrypted. Encryption is a way of protecting files by scrambling the information inside them so that it can only be read by someone who has the correct password to unscramble it. The PowerArchiver program, which creates these .PAE files, can use different methods (called algorithms) to scramble the information. These methods include Blowfish, which uses a 128-bit key; DES, which uses a 64-bit key; Triple DES, which also uses a 128-bit key but scrambles the information three times for extra security; AES 128-bit; and AES 256-bit, with the latter two being very strong encryption methods that use keys of 128 and 256 bits respectively. The bit number here refers to the size of the key used in encryption, with a higher number generally meaning stronger encryption.
To open a .PAE file, you will need the PowerArchiver software developed by ConeXware. When you try to open a .PAE file with PowerArchiver, it will ask you for a password. This password is necessary to decrypt, or unscramble, the file's contents so you can access them. Without the correct password, the encrypted files inside the .PAE archive cannot be accessed, making this a secure way to store and share sensitive information.
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