Microsoft recently released Personal Vault, an important and much-awaited feature for OneDrive users. Personal Vault to keep your important files safe and secure. I’ve been waiting for this for a while. As far as I know, no other cloud storage offers such feature right now. But how do you set up your OneDrive storage and why should you secure it?
That is what we will look at today. The importance of taking every precaution to protect your data cannot be stressed enough. That’s why OneDrive also comes with ransomware protection.
Let’s get started.
1. Set up OneDrive
The first thing you will do is download and install OneDrive or install the latest version from the Windows Store. Open the Windows Store and search for OneDrive to install it. If you already have it, click the menu to select Download and update.
You’ll see OneDrive if you don’t have the latest version. Do the same for the mobile app and download or update to the latest version on Android and iOS.
Launch OneDrive and you’ll see a new folder called Personal Vault. Instead of a regular folder icon, it has a dynamic vault icon.
System-wide Windows 10 dark mode doesn’t work inside OneDrive. Maybe it will with a future update.
Alright, let’s take a look at that OneDrive Personal Vault. Wait, I see an error.
At first, I thought they were talking about a point of view. So I maximized the window like an idiot, but it’s not. You’ll have to click on the OneDrive folder in File Explorer to start the OneDrive folder setup and sync process. That’s the OneDrive app we’re using.
You will now see a pop-up where you will follow the on-screen instructions to sign in to your Microsoft account, which is the same account you are using on your Windows 10 computer.
You will be asked to choose a location for the OneDrive folder.
Now, here’s how the folder looks, complete with a system-wide dark mode.
To open Personal Vault, you’ll need two-factor authentication — the exact same authentication you used for your Windows account.
By default, Personal Vault opens in a new window.
2. How to set up 2FA for Windows
You should set up 2FA for your computer. Without that, your data stored in the vault is very vulnerable to theft. Even if you don’t use OneDrive’s Personal Vault feature, you should still use 2FA on Windows.
Sign in to your Microsoft account using the link shared below. Select Two-Step Verification under Security.
You can enable 2FA in the Two-Step Verification option.
I have set 2FA for my system. When you tap that, you’ll be asked to re-enter your Microsoft account password and scan the QR code. You can use any 2FA app for that. Just follow the on-screen instructions afterwards, pretty simple and easy. Don’t forget to write down the backup codes in a safe place. Best offline.
Note that you can also use fingerprints if your laptop supports fingerprints or PINs. Here’s a good tip — use a different type of two-factor authentication for OneDrive Personal Vault than what you use for OneDrive. That way, even if OneDrive is compromised, the vault will be secure and inaccessible.
3. OneDrive Personal Vault Features and Security
Here are a few things you need to know about Personal Vault. It works like any other folder in OneDrive, so you can copy-paste or drag-drop files to and from that folder. It is available on the web, desktop and mobile.
Your Personal Vault will automatically lock after 20 minutes of inactivity on the desktop and 3 minutes on the mobile app. You will be notified before and after that happens. Useful when you are working in an open office environment where anyone can reach and access your laptop. Also, you cannot share anything from a personal vault. You will have to move it outside the vault to do that.
You’ll have to verify with 2FA at all times, whether you’re signed in to Windows and OneDrive. Some people may find it cumbersome, but that’s why Personal Vault was created. If not, why even have it? You can scan documents with Microsoft Office Lens directly into the Personal Vault.
Data stored inside OneDrive Personal Vault is stored in a volume encrypted by Bitlocker. In addition, Bitlocker uses AES encryption with both 128-bit and 256-bit keys, which is the standard protocol. While not a fan of Bitlocker since it’s not easy to install and is a closed-source program, the personal vault makes things as easy as pie.
4. Disable Personal Vault
Disabling OneDrive personal storage will delete all files stored inside. So make sure those files are no longer useful or back them up somewhere safe. Go to the OneDrive web and under Settings, click Options.
You may be asked to verify your identity using the 2FA method you set earlier above. Click Disable next to Turn Off Personal Vault and confirm.
Lock it, forget it
You can’t save more than three files inside OneDrive Personal Vault in the free plan. For more storage, you’ll need Office 365 plans that start at $5 per month. Not too expensive as you get access to a bunch of Microsoft apps and some other cloud storage. Additional security features include file recovery for up to 30 days and ransomware protection.
Next up: Want to store photos and videos in OneDrive? Find out if it’s as good as Google Photos by clicking the link below.
Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
