[SOLVED] Ideal file storage methods

[kachibi]

Is there any ideal online or offline method of storing private files (that include passwords, notes, legal files and some sensitive files) that other people can never access to?

For online methods, I know some people may say Google Drive or alike, but I kind of worry if there is chance that people hack into my e-mail or the service provider will have the ability to check them.

For offline methods, I can think of USB dongles or SD cards. But they are also of some noticeable sizes. Is there any offline device that is very small, un-noticeable and easy to hide?

 

[USAFRet]

Encryption.
Only you know the decryption key. Even if they get your email.

 

[kanewolf]

Is there any ideal online or offline method of storing private files (that include passwords, notes, legal files and some sensitive files) that other people can never access to?

For online methods, I know some people may say Google Drive or alike, but I kind of worry if there is chance that people hack into my e-mail or the service provider will have the ability to check them.

For offline methods, I can think of USB dongles or SD cards. But they are also of some noticeable sizes. Is there any offline device that is very small, un-noticeable and easy to hide?

Pre-encrypt the files before storing. You can use 7zip to encrypt files which don't have a default method.

 

[kachibi]

Thanks. But is it possible for some computer experts who scrutinize my computer can easily notice this kind of file, or they know some methods to access to the files anyway?

Or encrypted files are well-hidden somewhere that cannot be noticed even by computer experts?

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks. But is it possible for some computer experts who scrutinize my computer can easily notice this kind of file, or they know some methods to get into the files anyway?

Encryption such as VeraCrypt is basically unbreakable.
(except by the baseball bat method)

 

[kanewolf]

Thanks. But is it possible for some computer experts who scrutinize my computer can easily notice this kind of file, or they know some methods to access to the files anyway?

Or encrypted files are well-hidden somewhere that cannot be noticed even by computer experts?

They don't have to be hidden. Just like an iPhone isn't hidden. It is encrypted. The weakness is usually YOU. A 12 character or longer passphrase with high security.
You could also think about getting a two factor authenticator like the Google Titan key -- https://cloud.google.com/titan-security-key

 

[kachibi]

Let me ask this way:

Say, I really encrypt a file, and that file is on my desktop. People who use my computer can still see the desktop shortcut of that file (and with a small "lock" icon on the right corner, as I can see from YouTube), then people still notice it is a peculiar file. Am I correct?

Perhaps let me ask this way: is there any method like "hiding" a file but definitely not the "Hidden Items" button which everyone knows, that only by the owner inputting something in the computer will it re-appear, and at all other times it stays invisible that people cannot find it even they click "Hidden Items".

Is there this kind of method (the slanted words) among USB drives or other external drives as well?

 

[USAFRet]

Hide it, so that it cannot be seen?
Not from anyone sufficiently motivated, no. It is data, it consumes space.

But properly encrypted...there is literally nothing they can do with it.

 

[kachibi]

If encrypted, the file icon is still visible. "Hidden File" can be clicked even if I hide the file.
So it basically means, there is no such function to make a file invisible without clicking "Hidden File", am I correct?

 

[kachibi]

I always wonder if there are some ways e.g. some software, that I input some passwords somewhere in the computer will then the invisible files surface again (not through the "Hidden File" box).