File (password) encryption?

[SHRED]

My buddy is looking for a way to password lock files. I remember years ago using one I think was called PGP?
Anyone know of a basic, good freeware out there that will do this?

[bemildred]

1. Here is one:

http://www.gnupg.org/

[cprise]

2. Mac OS and certain Linuxes (eg. Xandros)

...have a feature that keeps your entire home-folder encrypted, and its very easy to enable from the control panel.

Also, if transferring files securely is a concern, using Skype is a good bet. All comms (speech, text and file transfers) are encrpyted over direct client-to-client connections.