Encrypt Files in File Share

There has been a lot of discussion on data security these last few months, ever since the release of classified documents describing national security and foreign espionage efforts.  I thought this might be a good time to remind people about the Encrypt function in File Share.


It is pretty simple: right-click on a file, select "Encrypt", punch in a password.  That is it, the file will be encrypted using the secret password you entered.  Don't forget the password, since that is the only thing that will be able to get your file back for you (we cannot recover files that you encrypt without the secret password).

One other concept to kind of keep in mind from a data security and privacy perspective, is that we don't just copy your File Share files to a server and have them sitting in a directory somewhere.  All files are stored in each User's private database, which also independently restricts access by a separate private username and password authentication.


The way some of the online storage places operate, and really the only way they make any money, is to mix all customers' files together in one storage and then run deduplication software to remove the redundant files.  What that means for them is that they are not storing the same files from many of their customers, saving them a great deal of storage space and hence money.  What it means for the customer is not necessarily lesser security, but it is a concept that a lot of Users don't know is going on with their files, and can find alarming.


When should you consider encrypting a file in File Share?  Any time you have something that you want to keep absolutely safe (MRSware storage is redundant on a couple of different levels and stored in multiple data centers for safe keeping) and that should only be seen by you (regardless of any future changes in permissions in the system).


When a User encrypts a file, a little lock icon appears next to it to indicate the state.  To open the file, just double click on it as you normally would, and a prompt to enter the password will appear.  If other Users have permissions to access the file and you provide them with the password to the file, they too will be able to open it.


To remove the encryption, in case you no longer need the file to be kept private to that degree, right-click and select Decrypt.  The lock icon will be removed and the file will be again stored like a normal file without any separate encryption or password.


If you have any questions about data security, the steps we take to ensure proper protection for your data, or would like to discuss any special requirements you have, please feel free to reach out.  There is a lot of discussion in the media on this topic, and some of it certainly seems to exist just to fill space in those blogs and news casts.  However, there are some legitimate concerns and steps that we take to protect our Users as well.


Have a safe and happy holiday season.