Secure your files on Google Drive
So, the question right now is, how can we use Google Drive, but at the same time, keep our files as secure as possible? Well, the answer is simple, really. We must take advantage of third-party tools to secure our files before uploading them to the platform. Yes, we do know that Google protects your files during the upload process, but it also decrypts them for the purpose of analyzing the files, then encrypts everything after. Additionally, we should point out that the user is never in control of the encryption keys, and that is never a good thing from our view. We will now discuss this in more detail.
1] Boxcryptor
We like what Boxcryptor has to offer due to its ease of use. When you install Boxcryptor, the tool will install a virtual drive on your computer, and from there, it will add cloud providers such as Google Drive to the drive. You see, the service is basically an extra layer of security on top of what is already offered. It will encrypt every cloud file on the drive and others you upload in the future. The good news is, the tool offers AES-256 with RSA-4096 encryption security, and that’s nice. Visit the official website. They have a free plan too.
2] Cryptomator
This is probably our favorite because it’s free, and also open source. The source code has been analyzed multiple times and the results have shown there are no backdoors. Furthermore, you do not have to register to use it. We like the fact that Cryptomator uses something that is called transparent encryption. When this is in use, the user has no idea the files are being encrypted as they continue to act normally. Not only that, but there is the addition of the Cryptomator vault that is saved on Google Drive. While the vault lives on Google Drive, the user is given a virtual hard drive to play around with their files. The tool also encrypts every file added to the vault individually. Now, while the program is free to use on Desktop, folks who want to make use of it on mobile must pay a small fee. Visit the official website.
3] RClone with Crypt
Do you prefer to use a command-line based program instead of ones with a strong graphical user interface? Well champ, you’re in the right place with Rclone. It will synchronize files and directories from Google Drive. The best aspect of this tool, however, is the crypt function. It will encrypt files on your computer before they are uploaded to Google Drive. To have a deeper understanding of how to do this, please watch the video below. Visit the official website.
4] Microsoft Word
One of the best options to take advantage of is Microsoft Word. Before uploading documents to Google Drive, you can decide to use the tool to encrypt the document first. Now, the encryption isn’t a deep thing, but rather a password lock. Perform the task by navigating to File > Info > Protect Document > Encrypt with Password. After that, upload the document to Google Drive and that’s it. 5] VeraCrypt Another free option on the list is no other than VeraCrypt. The program is not only free, but also open-source, and it works with almost any cloud service provider, which includes Google Drive. With this tool, the user can create an encrypted container, then upload the container to a cloud service of choice. We should also note that VeraCrypt is not user-friendly, but once you fully understand how things work, then things should move smoothly after that. Note that to continue having access to the container in Google Drive, you must have VeraCrypt installed on your computer at all times. Download from the official website. Read next: Google Drive files uploading is slow, stuck, or not working.
