Google Drive is gradually overtaking all other storage services in terms of popularity. Additionally, it must be secure because it hosts over 2 trillion stored files and over a billion users.
However, Google customers have previously fallen prey to hackers; in 2014, almost 5 million Gmail usernames and passwords were taken and posted online.
So, if you use Google Drive, you might be concerned about the security of your files.
It’s a time when webmaster or service providers like Google needs to provide web authentication API based security and Chargeback911 explained it really well.
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How Google Drive Protects Your Data and Content
The risk of utilizing Google Drive is minimal, despite past attacks. On all of its Google Drive servers, Google employs the robust 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption (with the exception of a small number of storage devices that date prior to 2015 that use AES128 encryption instead).
The Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol is also used by Google to safeguard data while it is in transit between users and Google Drive servers.
How Google Drive Might Be at Risk
The fact that Google retains the encryption keys for all the files on Google Drive irks some security experts. Bypassing all of their security, encryption keys are the means by which Google (or whoever else has them) can decode files.
According to Kristen Bolig, founder of SecurityNerd, “Because they are in control of these encryption keys, it can lead to vulnerabilities for its users.” They are able to decode files, which makes them more accessible to hackers.
In contrast, apps like Signal do not allow even the app’s developer access to your data.
In addition, Google is governed by legal authorities. “Depending on what Google decides, it might not take a security breach to forfeit your privacy if your files are subpoenaed,” said Monica Eaton-Cardone, CEO of Chargebacks911.
Additionally, as is frequently the case with cloud services, Google Drive has a variety of user-related vulnerabilities. As a result, the user poses the greatest risk, not the encrypted infrastructure.
For instance, Google Drive doesn’t have consistent organizational rights. Curricula’s CEO, Nick Santora, stated: “Dropbox’s use of folders enables us to categorize data by department and restrict access to those folders to just those personnel who work in that department.
Google makes it very challenging to accomplish this. Every action you take is unique. The permissions system is haphazard, which causes errors.”
Also Read: Do Not Download This Chrome, Microsoft Edge Update, You Can Get Stuck In Trouble
How to Keep Yourself Safe if You Use Google Drive
You, along with any laptops or other devices you’ve connected to Google Drive, are frequently the biggest threat to the data stored there. Keep in mind that all files on Google Drive are susceptible because they are synchronized to your computer by default. Bolig advised using encryption to better conceal and safeguard your files.
Even if hackers steal your username and password, you can use two-factor authentication to stop them from accessing your information from another device. Naturally, you should also always use a strong password.
It’s crucial to “delete any apps or browser extensions that have access to Google Drive unnecessarily,” according to Gabe Turner, editor of Security.org. Every program that has access to Google Drive creates a security hole and another point of entry for hackers.
How to share files on Google Drive in 3 ways and control who may view, comment, and modify them How to simply sync all of your data by adding the Google Drive program to your PC’s desktop. How to upload files to Google Drive from a computer or a mobile device (and back them up for safekeeping) How to make a Google Drive folder with specific sharing options and share it.
Read More: App Privacy Report Feature Will Protect iPhone Users from Being Tracked, Know How To Use It?
What Kind of Encryption Is Available on Google Drive?
Technically speaking, Google Drive uses 128-bit AES keys for files that are at rest and 256-bit SSL/TLS encryption for those that are in transit. This indicates that when you upload or download files and documents, Google Drive increases the degrees of encryption and security. For saved files, 128-bit encryption is still quite reliable.
In addition, Google Drive employs Server-Side Encryption rather than User-Side Encryption. Server-Side Encryption, as previously mentioned, entails that all decrypted keys are managed by the individuals who own the servers.
That is Google in this instance.
However, Google does provide alternatives for customer-supplied and managed encryption keys as extra server-side security levels.
So, even while Google Drive does provide a comparatively high level of encryption, there are flaws. It follows that you should take extra precautions to further encrypt Google Drive files, especially if you use Google Workspace to manage sensitive data.
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