Dropbox Encryption & Backup

Hoseman

I use the free version of Dropbox for personal and business use. I need to be careful as some of this is my client's data so I have decided to look at encryption options. I have found one called Veracrypt that is apparently very good but I know nothing about it or other options that may be out there. Veracrypt is open source and free btw.

Is anyone else using any encryption software to protect their data? What about backing up any files/data kept on Dropbox, any suggestions? I use an external hdd and back up from time to time but its not exactly regular tbh.

cookie365

The idea is that you use Veracrypt to create an encrypted file container within your dropbox folder.

https://veracrypt.codeplex.com/wikipage?title=Beginner%27s+Tutorial

It's basically an entire disk drive living inside a single file. You 'mount' the drive through Veracrypt and give it a drive letter, so to Windows Explorer and all your other apps it looks like an ordinary drive.

But to anyone else iwho somehow hacks into your Dropbox and doesn't know the Veracrypt password it's just one file with unintelligible random contents.

In principle the Dropbox app should be smart enough to only sync the bits of the container file that have changed, but it's worth testing to make sure

Another option would be to use something like CyptSync

http://stefanstools.sourceforge.net/CryptSync.html

You'd keep your files in a folder outside your Dropbox, then get CryptSync to monitor that folder for changes and make encryped copies in a folder within your Dropbox.

debitcardmayhem

cookie365 wrote: »

The idea is that you use Veracrypt to create an encrypted file container within your dropbox folder.

https://veracrypt.codeplex.com/wikipage?title=Beginner%27s+Tutorial

It's basically an entire disk drive living inside a single file. You 'mount' the drive through Veracrypt and give it a drive letter, so to Windows Explorer and all your other apps it looks like an ordinary drive.

But to anyone else iwho somehow hacks into your Dropbox and doesn't know the Veracrypt password it's just one file with unintelligible random contents.

In principle the Dropbox app should be smart enough to only sync the bits of the container file that have changed, but it's worth testing to make sure

Another option would be to use something like CyptSync

http://stefanstools.sourceforge.net/CryptSync.html

You'd keep your files in a folder outside your Dropbox, then get CryptSync to monitor that folder for changes and make encryped copies in a folder within your Dropbox.

I personally would not create a container within your dropbox folder, if someone hacks your Dropbox account, then they can delete/change said file and it will get synced back to your pc. My preference is to keep the sensitive data outside dropbox and refresh Dropbox when the file is updated on your pc and would also save it to another cloud service too eg google/one drive etc. My choice though:cool:

EdwardB

Hoseman wrote: »

I use the free version of Dropbox for personal and business use. I need to be careful as some of this is my client's data so I have decided to look at encryption options. I have found one called Veracrypt that is apparently very good but I know nothing about it or other options that may be out there. Veracrypt is open source and free btw.

Is anyone else using any encryption software to protect their data? What about backing up any files/data kept on Dropbox, any suggestions? I use an external hdd and back up from time to time but its not exactly regular tbh.

Mega.nz 50gb free storage, generate key for each file or folder

7Zip for encryption before sending

Use Nas and external disks but essential you store keys safely or data is gone

Hoseman

cookie365 wrote: »

You'd keep your files in a folder outside your Dropbox, then get CryptSync to monitor that folder for changes and make encryped copies in a folder within your Dropbox.

Thanks for the explanation and info. How does this work if sharing with another person? Presumably they can somehow access these files too. What if they want to make changes? Doesn't sound like they can if the originals are stored outside of Dropbox where I can access and they cant.

cookie365

Hoseman wrote: »

Thanks for the explanation and info. How does this work if sharing with another person? Presumably they can somehow access these files too. What if they want to make changes? Doesn't sound like they can if the originals are stored outside of Dropbox where I can access and they cant.

Not much point adding in a load of extra encryption if you're just going to remove it by sharing your files with someone else.

Hoseman

cookie365 wrote: »

Not much point adding in a load of extra encryption if you're just going to remove it by sharing your files with someone else.

OK, this isnt the solution for me then as I need to share it while also keeping it safe/secure

cookie365

Do you want you/your recipients to be able to work directly on the shared files, or just have access to download them?

Hoseman

We both need to have access and ability to edit too.

ARandomMiser

Another tool to look at is axcrypt.

debitcardmayhem

You could have a password protected doc/thing using microsoft/libreoffice files , agree a password say via phone, but they(the software) are not necessarily very secure, but hey what is these days