Encryption of HiDrive Directories on Your Computer

With the encryption feature of HiDrive, HiDrive folders and the files they contain can be accessed only after using the correct key and entering a password. This article explains how to use encryption.

Please Note

Objects encrypted with HiDrive can only be accessed and used with the HiDrive app.

Using the Encryption Function

To use encryption, generate a personal key in the form of a file (userkey.k). This must be imported into the HiDrive app that is to access the encrypted folders.

After successful key import, you can use all folders that were created with the corresponding key. You can recognize encrypted folders by the lock icon below the name. Together with the password, these encrypted folders can be opened and used.

Also, take note that there are separate articles for HiDrive encryption on Android and iOS.

Creating a Password and Key

This step-by-step guide was created using the HiDrive app for Windows (app version 2.0.0 and higher). Other versions may differ.

Open the Windows Explorer.
Make sure that the Windows Explorer navigation pane is displayed. It is activated in the top menu bar under View > Navigation Pane.
In the navigation column, right-click IONOS HiDrive > HiDrive Settings. The HiDrive app opens.
In the HiDrive app, navigate to the Encryption data group.
Click the Create button to generate a new key. This button is not displayed if a key already exists.
Set a password of your choice and change the location where the key is stored at by clicking Change.
Activate the notes on key and password loss to complete the key generation with Save.

Attention

If you lose or delete the key, your access to all files in the encrypted folder will be irretrievably lost.

Importing the Key

This step-by-step guide was created using the HiDrive app for Windows (app version 2.0.0 and higher). Other versions may differ.

Open the Windows Explorer.
Make sure that the Windows Explorer navigation pane is displayed. It is activated in the top menu bar under View > Navigation Pane.
In the navigation pane, right-click IONOS HiDrive > HiDrive Settings. The HiDrive app opens.
In the HiDrive app, navigate to the Encryption data group.
Click on Import from.
Select the location of the key with Change.
Enter the password that you assigned when you created your key. With Import, the key is loaded and displayed as a letter-number combination.