LG Electronics will be integrating into its Super Multi DVD Rewriter Nero's SecurDisc technology, which password protects and encrypts a data (not audio or video) CD or DVD so that only the intended recipient can look at the data.
It also checks the disc for deterioration over time, and will let you know about any degradation so that you can backup your data before you lose it.
To burn a SecurDisc, you'll need a disc-burning program such as Nero Express that supports the technology. Your files are encrypted as they burn to the disc, and you create a public key to send to the disc's intended recipient via e-email.
This person will need the key to unlock the information on the disc. If the recipient doesn't have SecurDisc hardware, he or she will need to go to the SecurDisc Web site to download a free player that enables the decryption process. For double protection, you can password protect the disc as well.
SecurDisc also analyzes the disc upon reading it to see if there's any degradation of data over time. If there is, you'll get a warning about it so that you can back up the data before it's lost.
This is not a repair program so SecurDisc can't do anything about damaged or scratched discs, but if you back up a lot of photos, music, or other documents -- it might be valuable to know if the discs they're on are losing life.