DropBox enhances security and backup

The features announced yesterday by DropBox will first allow the service to catch up with Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive, which already offer a number of these features. For example, until now, Dropbox did not offer an automatic backup of PC folders to the cloud, a password storage solution, a secure vault for essential documents, or a family. Well, it will be from now on.

One of the main new features is called Dropbox Passwords. The function tries to emulate a password manager (or do like Google Chrome, which offers secure storage of passwords for use with various applications and services) by offering its own safe. Like other services, Dropbox Passwords automatically provides passwords on demand. DropBox said it will provide apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, with zero-knowledge proof, also known as Zero-Knowledge Encryption, which means passwords aren’t shared with anyone and aren’t not transferred to the service provider’s servers. The Dropbox Passwords service, which will not be subject to an additional cost, will be integrated into Dropbox Plus (current price of € 9.99 per user per month in annual billing).

A more secure space with Vault

For documents that need additional security, Dropbox offers Vault. This feature will also be available for DropBox Plus users in a private beta. (Microsoft’s OneDrive offers a similar feature.) The publisher does not specify the size of the Vault, but indicates that in addition to normal protections, it will be necessary to provide an additional PIN code to access this secure space. Files will be accessible from any device that can run the DropBox app. The firm is also trying to make a breakthrough in automatic folder backup, a feature Microsoft has incorporated into Windows PCs. OneDrive already allows you to save documents, images and desktop, which DropBox can also do. Apparently, the service is free with the Dropbox Basic, Plus, or Professional plans.

Finally, Dropbox will offer a Family plan that will allow six people to share up to 2TB of storage between their individual accounts. The service will be billed once for the associated accounts. For the moment, DopBox has not established the price for this service. We simply know that its deployment will be spread over the coming year.