Folder encryption in OS X

peterag

I am using Boxcryptor on OS X in conjunction with Dropbox, and I don't seem to understand how the folder encryption works. As a test, I have encrypted a folder in my Dropbox as well as a file contained therein.

The file encrypts as expected - I can see it and open it from my Boxcryptor drive, and I can see it but NOT open it from my Dropbox folder in Finder.

The folder, however, is marked as encrypted but the folder itself doesn't seem to be off-limits in Finder. Nor does it automatically encrypt the contents of new files saved there.

I suppose my question is: What does encrypting a folder accomplish? Why would someone do it?

Many thanks,
Peter

Robert

Hi Peter,

Did you try to save the new files in the encrypted folder within the Boxcryptor Disk or directly in your Dropbox?

Please make sure that you're always working in the Boxcryptor Disk. If you save a new file to an encrypted folder (with the green tag) there, the file will automatically be encrypted.

Best regards,
Robert

peterag

Thanks Robert.

Can we take a step back - what does encrypting a folder accomplish? Why would I use encrypted folders? Is its only purpose to automatically encrypt files that are placed inside of it?

Best,
Peter