Protect files with Personal safe from OneDrive


Safe

Recently, OneDrive introduced a new feature: Personal safe. With this component you can protect files and you have access to additional functions to prevent the data from falling into the wrong hands. We started immediately with it.

The Personal safe from OneDrive can be seen as an extra secure screened part within your OneDrive account. You can only access the files in the vault after you have logged in via two-step verification, for example via a text message or code by e-mail. The safe also offers a few other functions with which you can save your files even more securely.

How much storage you have available in the safe depends on the OneDrive subscription. If you use a free OneDrive account or the 100 GB storage plan, you can store up to three files in the vault. If you use OneDrive in combination with Office 365, you can store an unlimited amount of files in the vault.

You can access the safe via the web environment of OneDrive, but also via the mobile app (Android and iOS) and via the Windows 10 app. The Personal safe works on all devices on which you now use OneDrive. The new component is for example suitable for your identity document, driving license and financial data. According to the makers, these files are still relatively safe after someone has unexpectedly gained access to your device.

Set up OneDrive Personal safe

Time to get started with the safe. Click on the OneDrive icon in the System Tray (next to the clock). In the OneDrive welcome message, click on the button To work. Is the welcome message not visible with you? Then you can access the safe by opening the Explorer (Windows key + E) and choose Personal safe. A new window will open, in which you click Next one. After this, OneDrive asks for your explicit permission to switch on the safe. Select this Allow. The safe is set.

As soon as you want to open the safe, a window appears asking you for your password. You also have the option to sign up with a different Microsoft account. The safe will then be unlocked. You can then use the safe in the same way as the rest of your OneDrive account. Drag the files to the OneDrive window and release them above to add them. Fill your safe now with the files that you want to keep extra safe.

Personal safe
Set up

The Personal Safe has a few extra security measures when working with your files. First of all, two-step verification is always enabled to open the files. In addition, the files are automatically locked if you have been inactive for twenty minutes. If you use the app for the smartphone, the locking will take place after three minutes. Finally, file sharing for everything stored in the vault is automatically disabled.

It is more convenient to use the Authenticator app when registering. In the login window, choose Use my Microsoft Authenticator app. It’s nice that you don’t need an internet connection for the app.

Switch off

Do you no longer want to use the Personal Safe? You can switch it off at any time. First make sure that the vault no longer contains any files: after you have switched off the vault, all files have been removed from the vault. Open the OneDrive web environment and choose Personal safe. Move the files from the vault. Then choose Settings (you will find the button at the top right of the window, recognizable by the gear) and choose Options. On the left in the window you choose Personal safe. Choose Switch off at the option Disable personal safe. Click confirming on the additional question whether you actually want to switch off the Personal safe.

You can also switch off the safe via the mobile app – discussed later in this article. Tap in the app Personal safe and choose Settings for Personal lockerss. Tap on Disable personal safe. Confirm that you actually want to turn off the safe.

OneDrive on smartphones

The Personal safe actually works best on the smartphone: here you have extra options. Make sure you have downloaded the latest version of the OneDrive app from Google Play or the Apple App Store. Once you have opened the safe in the app, the app makes suggestions to immediately scan a number of important documents and save them in the safe. This includes, for example, passport, driver’s license, tax information and birth certificate.

click on Show all suggestions to request the complete list. Press the button Scanning next to the item that you want to digitize. It is important that the app stores the photo directly in the vault, even if your phone normally also saves photos in the cloud. This prevents the data from ending up outside the stricter safe. You can retrieve the list of recommended files for scanning at any time. Tap in the app at the top Personal safe and choose Recommended files. This way you can spread the documents to be scanned over several moments.

Files
Options

You can adjust various options via the app. Tap at the top Personal safe and choose Personal safe settings. In the part Verification you determine how the user check takes place. Here you can, for example, change the PIN code for the safe, but also manage the two-step verification (two-step verification). To further improve the protection of your data, activate the option Lock on exit. You will find this option in the section Security.

Via the option Lock automatically You can also adjust after how many minutes of inactivity the app should be locked automatically (for example, after just one minute). Bee Notifications from Personal safe you decide which notifications may be displayed, for example a notification in the OneDrive app as soon as the safe is locked.

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