AxCrypt automatically encrypts files within folders on your local computer and then synchronizes them with your Google Drive account. This ensures that only you have the absolute access to encrypt and decrypt the files before they’re uploaded.
The entire process goes through the following flow:
When a File is Encrypted: Folder with Files > AxCrypt > Encryption > Uploading Encrypted File (Sync) > Secured File in Google Drive
When a File is Decrypted: AxCrypt > File in Google Drive > File Downloaded to Your Computer > Decryption > View/Edit the File
Steps to Automatically Encrypt Google Drive Files on Windows and Mac
STEP 1: Install and sign in to Google Drive desktop: https://google.com/intl/en_in/drive/download
STEP 2: Install AxCrypt and sign in or sign up: https://axcrypt.net/download
STEP 3: Click the ‘Google Drive’ icon on the top-right in the main menu, and select the folder that you want to encrypt the files within. This adds the folder to the ‘Secured Folders’ list. You can choose the entire main Drive or specific folders.
STEP 4: Create or add new files to the folder to encrypt and sync them. All existing files will be automatically encrypted and synced.
This set-up creates an automatic file security workflow, allowing you to seamlessly work on the files and re-encrypt them automatically.
Double-clicking or using the ‘Open Secured’ button will open an encrypted file with temporary decryption, allowing you to securely work on them. Modified and new files in specified folders will automatically be encrypted after signing out from the AxCrypt or clicking the ‘Cleanup’ button on the top right.
To permanently decrypt a file, click the ‘Stop Securing’ icon on top-left in the main menu strip and select the files that you’d like to decrypt.
Steps to Encrypt Google Drive Files on Android and iOS
Watch the step-by-step video tutorial:
STEP 1: Install AxCrypt from Google Play Store or App Store and sign in or sign up.
STEP 2: Tap the ‘Secure’ button with a padlock icon and select Google Drive and sign in to your account.
STEP 3: Browse and select the files that you’d like to encrypt, tap and hold to select multiple files. Once done, your files will be encrypted and secured with their icons changing to AxCrypt’s logo and file extension to .axx.
STEP 4: To view or edit a file, tap on any of the files from the main screen to open, or tap the ‘Open Secured’ button and select the files.
Viewing or editing a file only initiates a temporary decryption process, and any changes made to the files will automatically be re-encrypted and synced.
To permanently decrypt a file, tap on the ‘Stop Securing’ icon and select the file with the .axx file extension that you’d like to decrypt. Files encrypted and synced from your desktops and laptops can be easily viewed on the mobile app.
Automatic encryption and syncing from your Windows and Mac to your Google Drive account, along with on-the-go access to those files from your Android or iOS, create a secured and protected environment for your files with greater access control and data breach protection.
FAQs
STEP 1: Install AxCrypt from Google Play Store or App Store and sign in or sign up. STEP 2: Tap the 'Secure' button with a padlock icon and select Google Drive and sign in to your account. STEP 3: Browse and select the files that you'd like to encrypt, tap and hold to select multiple files.
How to Encrypt a file on Google Drive? ›
- Go to drive.google.com.
- At the top left, click New .
- Point to the arrow next to File upload. click Encrypt and upload file.
All data that is stored by Google is encrypted at the storage layer using the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) algorithm, AES-256.
How can I secure my Google Drive files? ›
To help ensure your Google Drive files are private:
If you share a computer, sign out of your Google Account when you're done. We suggest you do not install Google Drive for desktop on a shared or public computer. Anyone who uses the computer could access your files. Learn more about Google Account security.
Is it possible to password protect a file on Google Drive? ›
To password protect your Google Drive files and folders, there are only a few methods you can use: Restrict the access in Sharing Settings. Encrypt the folder before uploading. Password protect files with Microsoft Word (for docs) or your PDF tool (for pdfs)
How to password protect a Google Doc 2024? ›
How to password protect Google Docs
- Download your Google documents or Google Sheet by pressing “File > Download > Microsoft Word/Excel”.
- With the document open in Word/Excel, press “File” in your ribbon, then “Info”.
- Click on the “Protect Document” button and choose “Encrypt with Password” from the list.
Set up the encryption key
- Using the same admin account that you used to authorize your service account's client ID, sign in to the platform.
- Click Get started.
- Click Password, enter a new password, and click Configure key.
Organizations can use Google Drive in a HIPAA-compliant manner by ensuring correct configuration within Google Workspace accounts and taking necessary precautions. However, it's important to note that no software or cloud platform can be called HIPAA compliant, as compliance depends on how a service is used.
How to create an encrypted file? ›
Right-click (or press and hold) a file or folder and select Properties. Select the Advanced button and select the Encrypt contents to secure data check box. Select OK to close the Advanced Attributes window, select Apply, and then select OK.
How do I make my Google Drive private? ›
When you change an item's general access to Restricted, only people with access can open the file.
- Open the Google Drive app.
- Open or select a file.
- Tap Manage access.
- Under “General access”, tap Change.
- Tap the audience who has access.
- Select Restricted.
End-to-end encryption is not provided in Google Drive by default. While the files are encrypted during transit and at rest on Google servers, Google retains the encryption keys, which means they can access the files if required. Using a third-party tool separates the decryption key from the file storage location.
What is more secure than Google Drive? ›
Sync is your best alternative to Google Drive because you get more storage, more features, and more privacy for a better price! It's no wonder millions of people have made the choice to take a stand, and get the cloud storage they deserve with Sync.
Is it safe to store financial information on Google Drive? ›
While it's doubtful that cybercriminals can get into your stored Google Drive data through a typical server hack or breach, other risks are involved. The biggest risk with saving your financial information on Google Drive is that your account is likely connected to multiple devices.
How to Encrypt a Google Drive folder? ›
Alternatively, to upload an encrypted file, you can log into drive.google.com. Once there, click on the + to upload a file, and click “Encrypt and Upload File.” This process will encrypt a file as you upload it, so it's encrypted in your Drive. Note: Even Google cannot decrypt files uploaded this way.
Is there a way to lock a file in Google Drive? ›
To lock a file in Google Drive, right-click the file, select File information, and click Lock. A pop-up window will confirm that you want to lock the file. Note: Locked files can't be edited, but users with edit rights can unlock a file. For more information, visit the Google Workspace Updates webpage.
Is Google Drive Safe For confidential documents? ›
Data is encrypted in-transit and at-rest. If you choose to access these files offline, we store this info on your device. Your Google Account comes with built-in security designed to detect and block threats like spam, phishing and malware. Your activity is stored using strong industry standards and practices.
How do I create a secret file in Google Drive? ›
Create a secret and access a secret version
- Go to the Secret Manager page in the Google Cloud console. ...
- On the Secret Manager page, click Create Secret.
- On the Create secret page, under Name, enter my-secret .
- In the Secret value field, enter my super secret data .
- Click the Create secret button.
Step-by-Step How To Encrypt OneDrive Folder
- Step 1: Evaluate Your Encryption Options. ...
- Step 1.5: Enable BitLocker (Windows) or FileVault (Mac) ...
- Step 2: Create an Encrypted Container. ...
- Step 3: Regularly Update Your Encryption Keys and Passwords.
Right-click (or press and hold) a file or folder and select Properties. Select the Advanced button and select the Encrypt contents to secure data check box. Select OK to close the Advanced Attributes window, select Apply, and then select OK.
Is Google files safe folder encrypted? ›
The Safe Folder feature in the Files by Google application is a very secure way to protect your files. It uses AES-256 encryption to encrypt your files, which is the same encryption standard that is used by banks and governments to protect their data.
