If you are currently a Box, Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive user, we recommend that you use nCrypted Cloud to secure your data. nCrypted Cloud software can be used to encrypt (protect) folders and files stored within the cloud. The software will help to lessen the risks of using cloud storage providers.

Visit our keep your files and data safe web page for more information on storing files safely. 

Features of nCrypted Cloud

Unlimited encryption and decryption

You can encrypt (protect) and decrypt as many files stored in your cloud storage (OneDrive, Dropbox etc.) as you wish.

Multi-platform support

nCrypted Cloud has clients available for Windows, OS X, iOS and Android.

Collaboration

The software allows you to share your data securely with other members of Imperial College London and anyone else in the world.

Trusted sharing

This allows you to send a file securely to anyone in the world.

Access revocation

If you lose a device, you can easily stop the device from decrypting (reading) your data. If you stop collaborating with somebody, you can simply remove his or her ability to read your files.

If you would like to know more about any of these features or have suggestions on the development of the product, contact the ICT Service Desk.

How do I install nCrypted Cloud?

Windows

  1. Download and install nCrypted Cloud.
  2. When prompted enter your Imperial College London email address, this will open a pop-up window. 
  3. Enter your Imperial username@ic.ac.uk and password and click Log In.
  4. Follow the installation steps and click Finish.

Mac

  1. Download and install nCrypted Cloud.
  2. When prompted enter your Imperial College London email address, this will open a pop-up window.
  3. Enter your Imperial username@ic.ac.uk and password and click Log In.
  4. Follow the installation steps and click Finish.

How do I use nCrypted Cloud?

Encrypt an existing folder

nCrypted Cloud does not automatically encrypt all of your files by default. You need to choose the data you wish to protect.

  1. Right click on the folder you wish to encrypt and click Make Private.
  2. Click Yes on the confirmation box.


You can confirm that the folder has been encrypted by looking for the padlock symbol. The briefcase symbol shows that the folder has been encrypted with your Imperial College London identity, meaning that we can recover it in the event of an emergency.

Encrypt a new folder

  1. Right click on a space and select New > Folder. nCrypted Cloud will prompt you to encrypt the new folder by default.
  2. Click Yes.

Share and collaborate securely

To share data with collaborators, follow these steps:

  1. Right click on the folder you wish to share, select nCrypted Cloud and click Share Securely.
  2. Share the folder from within Dropbox by right clicking on the folder and selecting Share Dropbox link.
  3. Email the link that has been copied to your clipboard.

If you are sharing the folder with somebody external to Imperial College London, he or she will need to download and install nCrypted Cloud to read the files. Personal accounts are free so he or she will not be charged for this service.

See who has access to your files

By default, nCrypted Cloud relies on Dropbox share permissions to restrict access to read your files. A further restriction of enforcing work identity is in place, meaning that you can only share your data with other members of Imperial College London. This restriction can be lifted on a per folder basis to enable you to give access to external collaborators. Alternatively, you can limit who accesses your folders to allow only named individuals access.

To see who has access to your files, follow these steps:

  1. Right click on the folder and select Shared With.
  2. Read who has access to that file in the screen that appears.

Share a file temporarily

If you wish to share a file temporarily, you can do so with Trusted Sharing. With Trusted Sharing you have the following features:

  • Expiry
  • Password protection (security code)
  • Permissions (read only, download or both)
  • Watermarking.

To use Trusted Sharing, you need to link your nCrypted Cloud account to your Dropbox account. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. Right click on the file you wish to share within the nCrypted Cloud application and click Trusted Sharing.
  2. Set your preferences in the new screen and click OK.