The best way to safely retailer nudes so hackers cannot leak them on-line

Fibbing on the web is as straightforward as stealing sweet from a child. So, when a Kim Komando Present listener wrote to me and mentioned he was a world-renowned style photographer, I raised an eyebrow. Then he requested me for recommendation on storing nudes safely, and each eyebrows shot up.

Due to the magic of straightforward laptop forensics, I verified his identification. His IP tackle matches the place he says he lives. He’s shot photographs of a few of the prime fashions on the earth. And he’s taking some … shall we embrace, non-public photographs of his spouse.

And he’s frightened about some stranger getting their fingers on these photographs. His concern is well-founded: A number of years in the past, hackers leaked 400 bare photos of celebrities.

Past that, he puzzled if it was protected in any respect to add nude photographs to a cloud service. The reply? It’s if you recognize what you’re doing.

All of it comes right down to encryption

If you’re storing delicate photographs, that you must take additional precautions. Saving the recordsdata in your cellphone or laptop leaves them unsecured. Cloud-based storage is the way in which to guard your privateness — with a caveat.

Simply be sure to’re avoiding public digital archives hackers can invade. I’m speaking about Google Drive, iCloud and Dropbox. They’re apparent targets, so that you’ll must manually arrange encryption safety for those who use these. This implies nobody can have a look at your photographs with out realizing the key passcode.

The best means to do that is with a cloud service that robotically comes with a non-public encryption key. Meaning solely you understand how to unlock the content material you retailer. It simply so occurs that our sponsor IDrive checks that field.

Encrypting your non-public photographs is less complicated than you assume

Utilizing IDrive for instance, right here’s how you’ll arrange non-public key encryption:

1. When putting in this cloud storage program onto your machine, choose Non-public Key Encryption.
2. Then, present your encryption key. This may encrypt all the info on transmission and storage.
3. Add your photographs onto IDrive to make sure nobody however you’ll be able to see them. You’ll must enter your non-public key to view these photographs.

You can reset your encryption key settings, however that robotically deletes all the info out of your account. It could sound intense, however it’s additionally reassuring. There’s no means a hacker can see the non-public photographs you uploaded since they’ll disappear when the important thing modifications.

IDrive additionally backs up your total laptop, together with your paperwork, photos and apps. It helped one girl save her information after a pc crash.

Shedding your information could be devastating. Many threats can take your laptop down, from tech points to ransomware. That’s why you must use IDrive to guard your non-public recordsdata and again up all the things necessary.

If you wish to do that for your self — for personal photographs, monetary paperwork or the rest — I’ve a particular deal for my listeners. Use this hyperlink and the promo code “Kim” at checkout to avoid wasting 90% if you join at IDrive.com.

You can even compress and encrypt pictures

Right here’s one other resolution if you wish to stick to the cloud storage possibility you’re already utilizing and it doesn’t permit you to set a non-public encryption key. You’ll be able to compress and encrypt pictures with a free service like 7-Zip.

ZIP recordsdata are particular as a result of you’ll be able to encrypt them. First, although, it’s important to compress them. For instance, right here’s how one can compress a file on 7-Zip:

1. Open 7-Zip.
2. Choose the file or folder you wish to compress.
3. Then, click on Add.

Identical to that, your file is compressed. You could find it in the identical place as your unique file. To encrypt it, do that:

1. Proper-click in your file or folder.
2. Click on Properties.
3. Choose Superior.
4. Choose the field that claims Encrypt contents to safe information field. 
5. Choose OK > Apply > OK.

After that, the recordsdata must be protected when saved on different cloud providers. Nobody can open your photos with out the encryption key.

The best way to defend photographs in your cellphone so nobody else can see them

You can even encrypt photos together with your iPhone’s native Notes app. You simply have to make use of the Lock Observe characteristic.

Setting it up could be a little bit of a journey, however when you do, you can begin taking private photographs by the Notes app, in order that they don’t seem in your digicam roll. Go to Settings > Notes, then slide the toggle subsequent to Save to Pictures to the left to disable it.

Subsequent, you’ll wish to ensure your cellphone has the Notes app widget put in. That is straightforward. Head to your widget listing by swiping left from the house display. Scroll to your Notes app widget, and if it isn’t right here, faucet Edit, then the plus + signal and scroll by the widget choices and faucet Notes > Add Widget > Completed.

From there, open the Notes app and inside a observe, faucet the digicam icon > Take Photograph or Video. From right here, you’ll be able to take non-public photos which might be saved within the Notes app as a substitute of your digicam roll.

What for those who’re attempting to safe photos you already took? Choose the picture in your digicam roll and hit Share (it’s the sq. with an arrow pointing up), then scroll by the app choices till you see Extra and choose it. Now, scroll down and faucet Notes. The picture is now saved in Notes.

Right here’s how one can create a password to safe the picture:

1. Open Notes and go to a observe that you simply wish to lock.
2. Faucet the Extra button, then faucet Lock.
3. Enter a password, then give your self a password trace. In case your machine helps it, allow Face ID or Contact ID.
4. Faucet Completed.

Subsequent, you’ll wish to delete the picture out of your digicam roll. Now you’ll be able to see it within the Notes app and nobody else can see it except they’ve the particular password. Faucet or click on right here for seven methods to privately share your photographs.

Perhaps that didn’t work to your iPhone. This can be the case for those who’re utilizing an older iPhone or outdated software program. On this scenario, create a hidden folder.

You could possibly additionally save your self loads of time and simply obtain an app that does the heavy lifting for you. Our IT genius John recommends AlbumLock. You will get it for 99 cents for iOS units.

The best way to compress and encrypt photographs in your Android

You’ll want an additional app if you wish to password-protect delicate photographs on Android. First, set up the Keepsafe photograph vault onto your machine. It can request permission to encrypt your photographs and movies.

Choose Grant entry and create an account. Arrange a Pin and faucet the + button, then Import photographs > Import. Now your non-public photos gained’t present up in your digicam roll. You’ll solely be capable of view them within the KeepSafe photograph vault.

Maintain studying

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