Tablets optimize

Secure your personal cloud information with BoxCryptor

Jack Wallen takes a look at BoxCryptor for BYOD tablets. This encryption software is optimized for securely connecting to cloud services, including Google Drive, Microsoft SkyDrive, and Dropbox.


Personal data includes cloud drives like Google Drive, Microsoft SkyDrive, and Dropbox. If you connect your tablet to those services, your cloud data is ready for prying eyes -- unless you make use of a handy tool like BoxCryptor for Android or iOS.

BoxCryptor is free encryption software that's optimized for these cloud services and features the following:

  • Secure storage uses AES-256 standard
  • App unlock PIN for additional security
  • Limited EncFS compatibility
  • Filename Encryption (in desktop client only)




  2. Search for "boxcryptor" and tap on the entry for the app
  3. Tap Download
  4. Tap Accept & install


Connecting to your account

When you first launch BoxCryptor, you'll be presented with a screen that asks you which service you want to connect to (Figure A). Figure A

BoxCryptor on a Verizon-branded Samsung Galaxy Tab.

Here's what your folder listing will look like within BoxCryptor.

This, of course, isn't terribly safe, as anyone can open BoxCryptor and see your files and folders. To prevent this from happening, set up PIN access to the BoxCryptor application by following these steps:

  1. Open BoxCryptor
  3. Tap Preferences
  4. Tap App Unlock (Figure C)
  5. Enter a PIN
  6. Re-enter the PIN (for confirmation)
Figure C



The one caveat to BoxCryptor is that you can only link the app to one service at a time. If you use multiple services on your tablet, you'll have to unlink one to link another.

You can create new, encrypted folders within BoxCryptor as well. You'll notice the Advance tab with Filename Encryption. This feature is actually not available for the mobile application (only the desktop version). To create the new folder, follow these steps:

  1. Open BoxCryptor
  4. Uncheck the Save password checkbox (for added security)
  5. Tap the checkmark in the upper right corner
Figure D

The password is not optional -- it must be created in order for the new folder to be encrypted.

In order to view the contents of the newly created folder, you'll have to enter the password. You won't have to enter the password, however, if you're viewing your account online (for example, viewing Google Drive from within a desktop web browser).

One strange behavior of BoxCryptor is that there isn't a Back button. Once you're inside a sub-folder, in order to get back to the parent folder, you have to do to the following:

  1. Tap the menu button
  2. Tap Preferences
  3. Tap Change source folder

Once you've done that, you'll be in the parent folder.

BoxCryptor is a great way to help secure your Google Drive, Microsoft SkyDrive, or DropBox content on your tablet. This can help make the transition to BYOD much more secure. Give it a try and see if it doesn't help make your IT department breathe a sigh of relief as BYOD takes over your organization.

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What about those of us who use G-Drive, Amazon cloud drive and microsoft skydrive on PC. Is there an app for windows pc?

Matthew G. Davidson
Matthew G. Davidson

I have been using BoxCryptor since it was first released and it has only gotten better. One thing I like about it is the install gives you the option of creating a portable version. This way I can keep my data safe and secure and if I need to decrypt anything on another system I just use the portable version. Another good aspect of the program is that it mounts the data in a drive letter and when I back up my system the data stored in the cloud folder is still encrypted.

Matthew G. Davidson
Matthew G. Davidson

"....if you use Dropbox, SugarSync, Microsoft SkyDrive, Google Drive or any other cloud service..."