What is Cryptomator?
Cryptomator is a free application that allows you to easily store encrypted data in a cloud or a NAS. In the instructions that follow we show you how to use Cryptomator to encrypt your data.
Useful information on Cryptomator
What you need to know
- You need administrator’s rights on your device to install Cryptomator. If you do not have administrator’s rights, please contact your administrator or the IT Support team by calling -2000.
- If you want to share a folder you have encrypted with Cryptomator, the other person must also install Cryptomator in order to open the encrypted folder.
- If you use a jointly encrypted folder (e.g. in OneDrive), it is not possible to simultaneously work on the files in this folder.
- Even if you choose the secure encryption process AES-256, the file is only as secure as your password. Please take this into account when choosing your password! For more tips on how to create secure passwords, please refer to our website on secure passwords.
- You have the option to create a recovery key. If you forget your password, the recovery key is the only option to access your encrypted data. It is very important that you store the key at a secure location which is inaccessible to third parties.
Pros and cons
What are the benefits of Cryptomator?
- You can quickly create encrypted folders.
- You can change, delete and add files in the folders.
What are the disadvantages of Cryptomator?
- If you open an encrypted folder, without unlocking it first, you will see the files contained in the folder. However, Cryptomator converts the files into the C9R format so that the original files cannot be traced back. The file format, date of creation and file names are not shown. You only see the number of files.
- If you use a jointly encrypted folder (e.g. in OneDrive), it is not possible to simultaneously work on the files in this folder.
- Currently, there is no portable version of this application.
How can I use Cryptomator?
Download & installation
Step 1: Download Cryptomator
Click on the following link to download and install Cryptomator: https://cryptomator.org/downloads/
Important information: Please note that you need administrator’s rights to install Cryptomator on your device. If you do not have admin rights, please contact your administrator or the IT Support team by calling -2000.
If you click on the link, you will also find versions for other operating systems, such as MacOS or Linux.
Create a new vault
Step 3: Choose a storage location
Via “Choose...”, you can select the desired storage location for your vault. Confirm your selection by clicking “Next”.
Step 5: Choose a password
Then you have to choose a password for your vault. Choose a secure password with at least 10 characters. For more tips on how to create secure passwords, please refer to our website on secure passwords.
You also have the possibility to create a recovery key. If you have forgotten your password, the recovery key is the only option to unlock your vault.
Step 6: Recovery key
Print your recovery key or copy it to a password management program or on a USB stick. Third parties must not be able to access the key. The key must also not be stored together with the encrypted vault.
Step 7: Unlocking a vault
After you have created a new vault, you can unlock the vault by entering your password.
Open existing vault
Step 2: Select the file “vault.cryptomator”
Open the desired vault and select the file “vault.cryptomator”.
Reset your password