How to Use Boxcryptor to Password Protect a Folder Before Uploading to Dropbox
Encrypt Your Dropbox Files With BoxCryptor
Dropbox is a great service, but its security track tape is nothing to be proud of. We've previously written about encrypted alternatives to Dropbox, just permit'due south be honest -- Dropbox stands out among cloud storage services for its zen simplicity. Much as nosotros'd like encryption, information technology'due south difficult to give up Dropbox. BoxCryptor is an encryption solution for anyone who wants encryption but only tin can't let Dropbox go.
Dropbox is a great service, but its security rail record is nothing to be proud of. We've previously written about encrypted alternatives to Dropbox, but let's be honest - Dropbox stands out among cloud storage services for its zen simplicity. Much as nosotros'd similar encryption, it's difficult to surrender Dropbox. BoxCryptor is an encryption solution for anyone who wants encryption merely merely tin can't let Dropbox go.
BoxCryptor runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android, so you lot tin can access your encrypted data from almost anywhere. Yous can even use BoxCryptor with other deject storage services, similar Microsoft's SkyDrive. Information technology's like encrypting the files yourself, just automated.
Getting BoxCryptor
You can download the free version of BoxCryptor from BoxCryptor's website.
BoxCryptor's gratis version supports upwards to ii GB of files, enough for the 2 GB of storage Dropbox users first with. If you've got more Dropbox infinite, you can't encrypt every single file without spending money, just why bother? Just encrypt your important files and get out unimportant files unencrypted in the main Dropbox folder.
Setup
After installing BoxCryptor, you'll exist prompted to create a new encrypted binder.
Apply the Browse push button to specify a location for the encrypted files. If you're using Dropbox'south default settings, betoken BoxCryptor at a directory inside the "C:\Users\[Name]\Dropbox" folder.
BoxCryptor creates a new, virtual drive that exposes your encrypted files in unencrypted format. BoxCryptor uses drive Z: by default, but the drive letter is customizable.
Creating a password is the about important office of setting upwardly BoxCryptor. BoxCryptor encrypts your files with the password you provide here. BoxCryptor recommends you write this countersign down and store it in a secure location. If you forget this countersign, you won't be able to access your encrypted files. You'll lose them forever.
BoxCryptor also recommends creating a fill-in of its configuration file, which is stored in the BoxCryptor directory y'all specified. Y'all'll need this backup if the main configuration file is deleted. If you don't have it, you'll lose your data forever.
Usage
Once you've got BoxCryptor set up, using it is unproblematic. You'll notice the BoxCryptor drive in your Estimator window.
Re-create sensitive files yous desire to encrypt and shop in the cloud into your BoxCryptor drive.
BoxCryptor takes the files you lot add together to the drive, encrypts them and places the encrypted versions in a folder within your Dropbox folder.
Dropbox synchronizes the encrypted files ordinarily -- as far as Dropbox knows, at that place's zip special about these files.
Access your encrypted files on another computer by installing BoxCryptor and selecting the "Open an Existing Folder" option.
Mobile App
The free version of the mobile app has some limitations -- for example, you can only read files and can't get more than two directories deep -- but it's an like shooting fish in a barrel way to access your encrypted Dropbox files on the go.
BoxCryptor's mobile app is cocky-contained; it doesn't require Dropbox installed on your device. Install BoxCryptor and you'll be prompted to log into your Dropbox business relationship.
Once you accept, select your encrypted BoxCryptor binder and BoxCryptor will ask y'all for the password you provided.
Enter the password and you'll see the decrypted versions of your encrypted files. If you installed the Dropbox mobile app instead, y'all'd simply see the scrambled, encrypted versions.
Determination
That's it. BoxCryptor, like Dropbox, embraces simplicity and doesn't accept an interface with lots of options. Information technology'south the perfect counterpart to Dropbox. If you're a Linux user, you lot can also utilize EncFS to encrypt your Dropbox files. EncFS doesn't have a ii GB limit, simply BoxCryptor is more convenient.
How exercise you lot store secure data in the cloud? Practise y'all employ a Dropbox competitor? Or do you lot retrieve we're all crazy for storing of import data on someone else's servers? Allow us know in the comments.
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