A Guide to Secure File Storage and Transfers

File storage and transferring are important in most people’s lives. However, the maintaining the safety of files can prove difficult.

In this guide, we are going to help you protect your files by exploring ways to store and send files securely.

What is secure file storage and why is it important?

Secure file storage protects your files. It prevents others from accessing your files or altering them in any way. Good storage grants protection to your files using locks. You alone can unlock such files.

Secure storage keeps your information private. It stops thieves from stealing your data. It also helps you adhere to laws about data protection.

Unsecured files can lead to huge troubles, including but not limited to the following:

1. Identity theft
2. Financial loss
3. Privacy breaches

These risks give a reason why secure storage is important. You need to protect your personal and work files.

Types of secure storage

Files can be stored securely in various ways, as listed below.

4. In the Cloud
5. External Hard Drives
6. Encrypted USB Drives

Cloud storage saves files on the internet. External drives save files on a device you can physically hold. Encrypted drives use special codes to lock files.

How can I make my file storage safer?

You can do so many things to make your storage safer, such as:

1. Using strong passwords
2. Enabling two-factor or multi-factor authentication (typically referred to as 2FA or MFA)
3. Encrypting your files
4. Keeping your software up to date frequently

Strong passwords are hard to guess. Two-factor authentication adds an extra step to log in. Encryption scrambles your files so others can’t read them. Updates fix security problems in your software.

Best practices of passwords

Good passwords are important. Here are some tips:

1. Use long passwords
2. Mix letters, numbers, and symbols
3. Don’t use personal info in passwords
4. Use different passwords for each account

These tips make your passwords stronger. Stronger passwords keep your files safer.

What is secure file transfer?

Secure file transfer is a way of sending files safely between individuals or devices. It prevents unauthorised access to files and prohibits modification of files while in transit. The better methods of transfer protect the files with encryption.

Common secure transfer methods

There are several ways to securely transfer files. These include:

1. Secure FTP (SFTP)
2. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
3. Encrypted email attachments
4. Secure file-sharing services

Each of the above methods provides additional security when you transfer your files. They ensure your data is secured during transfer.

How to transfer files safely?

Transfer of files safely can be done by following the steps outlined below:

1. Select a secure method of transfer
2. Encrypt the file before you send it
3. Give strong passwords for file access
4. Authenticate the recipient
5. Send the access details separately

These steps will keep your files safer while in transit. This way, they can only be accessed by those whom they are intended for.

Transferring email attachments safely

Attaching to an email poses a risk. Here’s how to make it safe:

1. Encrypt important attachments
2. Use a secure email service
3. Avoid writing sensitive information in the body of an email
4. Double-check the recipient’s email address

These will help protect your email attachments from being viewed by others.

Common mistakes when transferring and storing files?

People make a lot of mistakes when it comes to file safety. Here are some common ones:

1. Poor password creation
2. Forgetting to encrypt the files
3. Sending sensitive information over public Wi-Fi
4. Not updating the security software
5. Giving out access information with the files

These can expose your files to unnecessary risks.

How to avoid these mistakes

You will avoid these errors by:

1. Setting up a password manager
2. Setting up automatic encryption
3. Using a VPN when on public Wi-Fi
4. Allowing auto-updates
5. Sending access info separately from the files

Ready to secure your files?

Ensure your data is protected from thieves and snoopers – use strong passwords, encryption, and safe methods of transfer.

Need help with secure file storage? Give us a call at Perth Systems today to schedule a chat and let us walk you through setting up safe systems for your files. Don’t wait until it’s too late; take the next step in protecting critical data. 

Article used with permission from The Technology Press.