When we talk about free cloud service, the first thing that comes into consideration is Google Drive. This is because of it’s popularity and credibility among users. There is no ambiguity that Google leaves any stone unturned while serving it’s customers’ needs and offers key services for free such as Search Engine, Cloud, Email, etc. On Google, you get abundant space for free. There is hardly any possibility that users would like to shift your Cloud service unless they are concerned regarding their data security. To keep files safe, Google Drive is quite a secure way. However, there is no feature that may protect your folder and files for free. A folder/file that is password protected can be accessed by the ones to whom it is intended. Here, we have explained some useful tips that will help you protect Google Drive folder.
Methods to password protect Google Drive Folder
Below mentioned are the steps to put a password on your folder:
Encrypt Folders or Files and then upload it
The file encryption functions of your PC help you in controlling the data. First, you will be able to encrypt the files, and then you can upload the files to the cloud service. This process will require a USB or some other storage device for the data to back up.
First, right-click on the folder that you wish to encrypt, and then from the menu, select Properties
Next, under the General tab, snap the Advanced button
Navigate to the Encrypt or Compress attributes in the window of Advanced Attributes. Click on the box next to Encrypt contents to secure data
Then click on Ok and after that, Apply
Next, in the pop-up window, you will find an option Apply changes to this folder, tick that, and click Ok
Now, you will need to back up your certificate and key of file encryption. You need to select Back up now
Your final task is to input the password and upload the encrypted files to your Google Drive.
Use folder protection software
Apart from the manual ways of protecting your folder with passwords, you can choose from various third-party tools available. If we talk about safe protection and easy steps, the EaseUS LockMyFile tool or a tool named Link Lock or Orangedox sits at the pinnacle of folders or file encryption. For quick use, you will be able to download the software. If some software has been installed by you simultaneously, you should uninstall the other tools as multiple software would create conflicts. With third-party tools, you can lock and encrypt pictures and data on the USB drive and the rest of the storage devices. To perform this-
First, launch the third-party tool, enter a valid email-id, and set passwords to register.
Next, under the Local Disk, click Protecting File. From the right panel, select protected folders, files, or drives.
From the specific location, add a folder or files
To add a drive you wish to protect, click the Protect Drive. Select the drive and then hit
You need to check carefully and confirm the drive, file, and folder that you wish to protect
Please note that if you wish to unprotect the selected drive, folder, or files, check the target data and then click on the Unprotect button.
In Google drive, share with password
To encrypt your Google Drive folder, there is another way to set a password on the shared method. While you plan to share folders with someone, you will be able to alter the share setting to keep your data safe. For this, follow the below mentioned steps:-
First, sign in to your own Google Drive account
Then, click on the folder that you wish to share and then click on Share
You will find the Get a shareable link on the top right side; click on that
Click on the dropdown next to Anyone with the link
You need to decide whether people would be able to view or edit folders
Encrypt Doc. Files via MS Word
If you have MS Word installed on your PC, it is now time to use the feature Encrypt with Password to encrypt your data. To do this:-
First open Microsoft Office from your computer and then navigate to the File tab
On the left menu, select the Info tab
Click on the Protect Document and then Encrypt with Password
Next, set your password and then click on Ok
Then you need to upload files to your Google Drive
Password protect your folder in Google Drive via G-Forms
With the help of Google forms, users can create passwords for the google links that they share. The idea is to create a form in Google that is password-protected and then share the links with the ones to who you wish to have access on the folder. But they need to first pass the Google forms. Below mentioned is the procedure:-
Link to the folder has to be copied that you will share and then set the required permissions
From your device, launch Google Forms
After you have clicked on the Start a new form, you have to fill in the required details
You have to create questions that will ask the users while filling in the password
Then mark the field as an essential short answer
On the right, tap on the three dots and press the response validation link
From the dropdown menu, select the text where you can view numbers
Type the password that you will like to use
In the field, type a custom error text
Click on the settings icon located on the form’s right side, and then snap on the presentation tab
The box show link to submit another response has to be unchecked. After that, paste the link in the provided space that you have earlier copied from the folder.
Your final task is to save the form and share it with others along with the password.
Wrapping up
Now, as we wrap up, we all are aware that Google Drive is quite a handy cloud storage that most of us use on an everyday basis. So, we must be aware of the methods to protect Google drive folder from our end when Google fails in performing so. An additional layer of security is always better than none.
Experiencing difficulties with your Device, check out our “How To” page on how to resolve some of these issues.
