Dropbox offers a great possibility to backup your data in the web and access to it from everywhere. But what about security? In this tutorial I will show you how you can easily encrypt your Dropbox synced files using BoxCryptor.
Boxcryptor is a flexible and scalable encryption software for the cloud, that supports more than 30 providers (including OneDrive, SharePoint and an integration in Microsoft Teams) as well as NAS encryption on all platforms. Boxcryptor for individuals and teams protects your data in the cloud with end-to-end encryption after the zero knowledge paradigm. It works with Dropbox, GoogleDrive, OneDrive and many more providers. One thing that stops a lot of people from using cloud storage companies is the perceived lack of security. BoxCryptor's encryption helps fill that need.
1. Create a Dropbox account or login to an existing one
First of all you should create a new Dropbox account or login to an existing one. To do this you have to download the Dropbox software. After downloading start setup and follow the instructions. Finally you can create a new account or login to your existing account.
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2. Download and install BoxCryptor
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If you haven’t yet downloaded BoxCryptor you can get the current version from here: www.boxcryptor.com. After downloading start setup and follow the instructions.
3. Setting up BoxCryptor
Run BoxCryptor. Now you can see a little padlock as tray icon. Right click on it and go to “Preferences”. Here you can choose your folder you want to encrypt (e.g. DocumentsDropboxBoxCryptor). Then set up your drive letter you want to use. If you need advanced settings (e.g. deactivated filename encryption) check the “Advanced Mode” box. After clicking on ok you will be prompted to type in your personal password (Tip: Catalina in virtualbox. If you checked “Advanced Mode” you can disable filename encryption here).
Important: Only empty folders will be encrypted completely. Existing files won’t be encrypted or displayed in your BoxCryptor drive.
4. Encrypt data
Now it is very easy to encrypt your files and folders you want to sync with Dropbox. Just drag them into your selected BoxCryptor drive and they will automatically be encrypted and synced to your Dropbox account.
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5. Setting up other computer
To decrypt your data on an other computer repeat step 1 and 2 on this computer. Then just go to BoxCryptor preferences and choose the same folder you previously encrypted (e.g. DropboxBoxCryptor). Now type in your BoxCryptor password and your files will be decrypted.
6. Tip: Share your encrypted folder
If you want to share your BoxCryptor folder with someone else who is using Dropbox you can do this. Go to your previously BoxCryptor encrypted folder in your Windows Explorer (e.g. DocumentsDropboxBoxCryptor). Right-click on it and go to “Dropbox” and “Share this folder…” (You can share your folder also on the Dropbox website). Now the Dropbox website opens and asks for the email address of the other Dropbox user. After you typed in your recipient and clicked on “Share folder” the other user has to accept the invitation. Then your shared folder will be synced to the other’s Dropbox folder. To decrypt your files use BoxCryptor for Windows or EncFS for Mac/Linux on the other’s computer and choose your shared folder in preferences. After typing in your BoxCryptor password your files will be decrypted.
7. Tip: Accessing your files using a smartphone
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If you have a smartphone running Android OS you can access your files securily using BoxCryptor on your Android phone. Just download BoxCryptor from the Android market. How to use BoxCryptor for Android you can see here.