Decrypt old encrypted files with filename encryption and free account

drbuzasi

I found some encrypted files with encrypted filenames on my HDD and would like to decrypt them. I have a free account. Do you have an advice? Installing new Boxcryptor Drive doesn't recognize my files/folders as encrypted ones so Decryption is not offered in the right-click-menu. Files have been encrypted with Boxcryptor 1.0.0.
Thanks for your help in advance

Mattis

drbuzasi Can you share a screenshot from the settings menu of your Boxcryptor client?

divenpuke

I have files I need to decrypt, but mine don't have file-name encryption

Mattis

divenpuke Doesn't matter. The procedure is the same.

drbuzasi

Mattis Which tab would you like to see? Locations, Security, Account, Advanced?

Mattis

drbuzasi Locations is fine.

drbuzasi

Mattis Only the Dropbox option is checked on the Locations tab .
In Boxcryptor Drive I can manage (encrypt/decrypt) files in a folder created with a newer version of Boxcryptor. This folder contains a file named 'FolderKey.bch'.
But in an other folder that was created with Boxcryptor 1.0.0.0 all file names are encrypted except one named '.encfs6.xml'. This folder and the files inside it are not recognized by Boxcryptor.

Mattis

drbuzasi Hmm, that’s strange. Do you see filenames with Chinese letters? If so, did you change your account password in the past? Did you ever forgot your password?

Mattis

Mattis Do you miss files?

drbuzasi

Mattis
The folder looks like this.
As far as I can remember I didn't change my password.

Mattis

drbuzasi That’s very strange. Did you already got in touch with the Boxcryptor support? To my knowledge, encrypted filenames by Boxcryptor are always, because of technical reasons, in Chinese letters.

Mattis

drbuzasi One more thing: Do you miss files?

dt1807

You have to install Boxcrypter Classic to decrypt it.
BC 1 and 2 are not compatible to each other

As far as I remember you had to buy BC1 to use the filename encryption. Are you sure that you never bought it?

divenpuke

Boxcryptor classic worked for me

Farmo

Further to the news that Boxcryptor is to be shutdown, I have tried to decrypt my data. However, I have a problem as a number of my files and folders were encrypted when I had a Boxcryptor Unlimited Business subscription (for 5 years) and I had file and folder name encryption enabled. I currently don't have a business subscription which is required for Boxcryptor to encrypt or decrypt file and folder names. As a result my file and folder names are all shown in Chinese characters - please see the attached screenshot.

Boxcryptor is not allowing me to purchase a new business subscription to re-enable the file/folder name encryption. I emailed support@boxcryptor.com 9 days ago for help with this and attached 5 invoices for unlimited business subscriptions that I purchased previously. To date, no one has got back to me.

Please can someone advise what I should do? I'm beginning to panic as the deadline of the 31st January is fast approaching!

Mattis

Farmo An active subscription should not be an requirement to decrypt file and folder names. You should be able to decrypt using your free account. Did you already export your keys?

According to your screenshot, you are in the Dropbox folder itself, where is your Boxcryptor drive?

And by the way: Why are you still using Windows 7? Windows 7 has likely major security vulnerabilites.

Farmo

Hi Mattis,

Thanks for your help. You are correct - it would appear that this is an error on my part and I have got confused when trying to decrypt my files in a hurry. I've managed to sort it now, so I'm afraid this is a case of user error...

I'm going to be getting a new PC soon and will install the latest version of Windows, but thanks for the advice re Windows 7 as well.

Mattis

Farmo You’re welcome. Happy to hear that you get an new PC soon 🙂 Do you knew the Boxcryptor alternative, Cryptomator?