20 Reasons to Encrypt Your Files

Encrypting your files is a powerful way to enhance the security and privacy of your most important data. It helps protect sensitive information from unauthorized access, cyber threats, and accidental exposure. Here are 20 compelling reasons why encrypting your files should be a top priority

By Steve Beckett | December 19th 2024

Not convinced you need to encrypt your files? Here are 20 compelling reasons to start protecting your data today!

Protect Your Personal Information
Keep your identity and personal data safe from unauthorized access.
Prevent Data Theft
If your computer is stolen, encryption ensures thieves can’t access your sensitive files.
Safeguard Financial Data
Protect your banking details and financial documents from prying eyes.
Ensure Your Privacy
Keep personal conversations, medical records, or other private data secure.
Protect Work Documents
Keep business files, contracts, and projects confidential from competitors and unauthorized access.
Prevent Unauthorized Access to Personal Media
Keep photos, videos, and personal memories secure from unauthorized access.
Shield Content from Malware
Encrypted files are harder for malware and ransomware to corrupt or encrypt.
Control Who Can View Your Files
You can limit access to your files to only those with the proper credentials.
Stay Compliant with Legal Requirements
If you’re required to follow data protection laws, encryption ensures compliance.
Prevent Identity Theft
Encryption stops cybercriminals from stealing sensitive personal information.
Secure Cloud Backups
Even if your cloud storage is hacked, encryption ensures your data remains safe.
Protect Sensitive Files During Sharing
Encrypt files before sharing online or through email to keep them secure.
Maintain Confidentiality of Work or Academic Projects
Keep research, papers, and sensitive academic content private.
Avoid Blackmail or Extortion
Protect your private content (like personal photos) from being used against you.
Prevent Spying and Eavesdropping
Encryption stops hackers and other malicious actors from spying on your files.
Secure Files on Public or Shared Computers
When using shared or public devices, encryption ensures your data stays safe.
Protect Files from Unauthorized Backups
Even if your computer backs up data automatically, encryption ensures backups remain secure.
Reduce Impact of Data Breaches
If a breach happens, encrypted files can’t be read by attackers.
Prevent Access to Adult Content
If you have private or sensitive content, encryption ensures it’s only accessible to you.
Long-Term Security for Archived Files
Secure important files for the future, ensuring they’re safe even after years of storage.

What to Look For in a File Encryption Solution

File encryption is a valuable tool for data security. However, implemented improperly, it can lull you into a false sense of security. Some vital features to look for in a file encryption solution include:

The Encryption Algorithm
A lot of encryption products use such terms as ‘Military-graded’, ‘Bank-level’ or other marketing phrases which on paper sound really impressive, but let’s get real here, who actually knows what encryption algorithms the military use? Looking beyond those marketing phrases and claims, you’ll want industry standard, unmodified AES encryption, preferably, independently audited.
The Keys to your Files
Some encryption solutions use a single key to encrypt all your files and data, but this forces an ‘all or nothing’ approach and puts all your data at risk should your key fall into the wrong hands. A good file encryption solution should encrypt each folder or file with a unique key which minimises the risk of all your data being breached should a key be hacked or stolen. Additionally, if you suspect a key has been compromised, your encryption solution should allow you to change all your file keys with ease.
Always-on encryption
Your files should be encrypted at ALL times and when editing, any changes should automatically be saved and encrypted.
Secure sharing
Your encryption solution should allow you to easily share encrypted copies of your files to any recipient. Shared files should only be accessible by you and your recipients.

Start Protecting Your Files Today

We have several encryption products to suit everyone, from basic file encryption to real-time secure file collaboration… and everything in-between. All our trials are fully functional for 30 days and you don’t need a credit card or account to get started!

GhostVolt Solo

Windows 11/10/8/7 compatible

Encrypt all your sensitive files and folders including your photos, movies or any other private document.

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