NTI Shadow 4.0 backup/sync software, "Ninja Tools"

NewTech Infosystems has updated its NTI Shadow automated backup and data sync software for Mac, PC and network users. New features in Shadow 4.0 include bi-directional syncing, a graphic-based destination display, threshold capacity warnings and NTI Ninja security tools for PC users that support encryption and password protection and public/private partitioning for external USB hard drives. Shadow is designed to continuously backup data while operating transparently in the background.

NTI's Ninja security tools allow PC users to create public and private partitions on a single USB hard drive using 256-bit encryption technology. Users can quickly access shared data on the public partition, while private information remains safely encrypted on the other partition. Unfortunately, Ninja encryption does not work with Mac OS X. Instead, Mac users can use encrypted DMG files.

Bi-directional sync allows users to synchonize digital content stored on all internal, external, local or network drives – including USB flash drives, mobile devices, USB pen drives, music players and other devices. Users can designate a threshold to trigger a warning when a destination drive is nearly full. There are several new convenience features in the software as well, including the ability to show hidden files, create a custom "My Favorite Tabs" list to help locate data that needs to be backed up and a new GUI making the software easier to use.

NTI Shadow 4.0 works with PowerPC or Intel Macs running OS X 10.4 or higher, as well as Windows XP and Vista. The Mac version (without Ninja Tools) sells for $30 while the PC version costs $40. Business site licenses and online upgrades are available at NTI's online store.