SanDisk USB flash drives have long been a trusted choice for storing and transferring data. To enhance data security, SanDisk offers PrivateAccess, a privacy software designed to protect your sensitive files. Available as a free download, PrivateAccess enables users to encrypt and password-protect files stored on SanDisk USB flash drives.
What is PrivateAccess?
PrivateAccess is a security software solution developed by ENC Security for SanDisk USB flash drive users. It creates a private vault on the drive where files are encrypted and safeguarded behind a password. The software employs AES 128-bit encryption, a robust standard widely recognized for securing sensitive data. This ensures that even if your USB drive falls into the wrong hands, your private files remain secure.
Using PrivateAccess
To get started with PrivateAccess, you need to download the software from the official SanDisk support website at https://support-en.sandisk.com/app/answers/detailweb/a_id/48025. The download page is available at SanDisk Support, where versions for both Windows and macOS are provided. No other operating systems are supported at this time.
Once downloaded, place the downloaded file (privateaccess-win.exe) in the root directory of your SanDisk USB flash drive. Then run the software from the USB drive. Upon first launch, you will be prompted to set a password and optionally provide a password hint. This password is essential for encrypting and decrypting your files, so choose something memorable yet secure.
PrivateAccess Interface
After setting up, the PrivateAccess interface allows you to manage your encrypted files easily. The window is basically like Windows File Explorer where you can copy or delete files. In order to add files to the vault, you can drag-n-drop files into the PrivateAccess window or copy-paste them into the interface. Once added, the files are encrypted instantly.
You can double-click any file within the vault to open it temporarily. You can extract files from the vault by copying them to another location on your computer. You can also securely remove files by deleting them directly from the vault.
When you are done using the software, click the Log Off button to secure the vault. This ensures that no one can access your encrypted files without entering the password.
To access your protected files at any later time, you can simply plug the SanDisk USB drive into any compatible computer, run privateaccess-win.exe from the root directory, and enter your password. This simple process ensures that your files are accessible only to you, no matter where you are.
Conclsusion
PrivateAccess is a highly reliable software for protecting sensitive files as it comes directly from SanDisk. It has a portable design which allows you to take your private vault wherever you go. And finally with AES 128-bit encryption, it ensures that only you can access your files from the PrivateAccess vault.