22. File encryption
22.1. Managing file vaults from Bitdefender
To manage your file vaults from Bitdefender, follow these steps:
1. Open theBitdefender window.
2. Access the Privacy panel.
3. Click the File Encryption module.
4. In the File Encryption window, select the Encryption tab.
The existing file vaults appear in the table on the lower part of the window.
To refresh the list, click the Refresh vaults button.
22.1.1. Creating file vaults
To create a new vault, click the Create File Vault button.
A new window will appear.
1. Specify the location and the name of the vault file.
●Click Browse, select the location of the vault and save the vault file under the desired name.
●Type the name and the path of the vault file on the disk in the corresponding fields.
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disk drive labeled with the selected letter appears in My Computer.
3. If you want to change the default size (50 MB) of the vault, type the desired value in the Vault size field.
4. Type the desired password to the vault in the Password and Confirm fields.
Anyone trying to open the vault and access its files must provide the password.
5. Click Create if you only want to create the vault at the selected location.
To create and display the vault as a virtual disk drive in My Computer, click Create&Open.
Bitdefender will immediately inform you about the result of the operation. If an error has occurred, use the error message to troubleshoot the error. Click OK to close the window.
Note
It may be convenient to save all file vaults to the same location. In this way, you can find them quicker.22.1.2. Opening file vaults
In order to access and work with the files stored in a vault, you must open the vault. When you open the vault, a virtual disk drive appears in My Computer. The drive is labeled with the drive letter assigned to the vault.
To open a vault, follow these steps:
1. Click the vault in the table and select Open vault in the menu that appears.
Note
If a previously created vault does not appear in the table, right-click the vaults table header, select Add existing vault and browse to its location.2. A new window will appear.
The vault name and path on the disk are displayed. Choose a drive letter from the menu.
3. Type the vault password in the Password field.
4. Click Open.
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Bitdefender will immediately inform you about the result of the operation. If an error has occurred, use the error message to troubleshoot the error.
22.1.3. Adding files to vaults
To start a wizard that will allow you to add files to a vault, follow these steps:
1. Open theBitdefender window.
2. Access the Privacy panel.
3. Under the File Encryption module, select Add Files to Vault.
You can navigate through the wizard using the Next and Back buttons. To exit the wizard, click Cancel.
1. Select files & folders
Click Add target to select the files/folders that will be added to the vault.
2. Select File Vault
You can select an existing vault, browse for a previously created vault or create a new one in which to add the files.
3. Create File Vault
If you have chosen to create a new vault, this is where you specify the necessary information about it. For more information, please refer to
“Creating file vaults” (p. 130) 4. Enter password
If you have selected a locked vault, you must enter the password to open it.
5. Confirm
This is where you can review chosen operations.
Note
If you have chosen to create a new file vault, Bitdefender will prompt you to format the drive associated with it. Select the formatting options and click Start to format the drive.
6. File Vault Content
This is where you can view the vault content.
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22.1.4. Locking vaults
When you are done with your work in a file vault, you must lock it in order to protect your data. By locking the vault, the corresponding virtual disk drive disappears from My Computer. Consequently, access to the data stored in the vault is completely blocked.
To lock a vault, click it in the table and select Lock vault in the menu that appears.
To start a wizard that will allow you to lock a file vault, follow these steps:
1. Open theBitdefender window.
2. Access the Privacy panel.
3. Under the File Encryption module, select Lock vault.
You can navigate through the wizard using the Next and Back buttons. To exit the wizard, click Cancel.
1. Select File Vault
Here you can specify the vault to lock.
2. Confirm
This is where you can review chosen operations.
3. Finish
This is where you can view operation result.
Bitdefender will immediately inform you about the result of the operation. If an error has occurred, use the error message to troubleshoot the error. Click OK to close the window.
22.1.5. Removing files from vaults
To start a wizard that will allow you to remove files from a vault, follow these steps:
1. Open theBitdefender window.
2. Access the Privacy panel.
3. Under the File Encryption module, select Remove files from vault.
You can navigate through the wizard using the Next and Back buttons. To exit the wizard, click Cancel.
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1. Select File Vault
Here you can specify the vault to remove files from.
2. Enter password
If you have selected a locked vault, you must enter the password to open it.
3. File Vault Content
Select the files/folders that will be removed from the vault.
4. Confirm
This is where you can review chosen operations.
5. Finish
This is where you can view the operation result.
22.1.6. Viewing the contents of vaults
To start a wizard that will allow you to view the contents of a file vault, follow these steps:
1. Open theBitdefender window.
2. Access the Privacy panel.
3. Under the File Encryption module, select View vault files.
You can navigate through the wizard using the Next and Back buttons. To exit the wizard, click Cancel.
1. Select File Vault
Here you can specify the vault to view files from.
2. Enter password
If you have selected a locked vault, you must enter the password to open it.
3. Confirm
This is where you can review chosen operations.
4. File Vault Content
This is where you can view the operation result.
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22.1.7. Changing vault password
The vault must be locked before you can change its password. To change the password of a vault, follow these steps:
1. Click the vault in the table and select Change password in the menu that appears.
A new window will appear.
2. Type the current password of the vault in the Old Password field.
3. Type the new password of the vault in the New Password and Confirm New Password fields.
Note
The password must have at least 8 characters. For a strong password, use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters (such as#,$or@).
4. Click OK to change the password.
Bitdefender will immediately inform you about the result of the operation. If an error has occurred, use the error message to troubleshoot the error. Click OK to close the window.