Google Drive - Why can you still not password protect folders/documents?

NeilF

NeilF

NeilF

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I find it bizarre that you cannot password protect folders and/or documents in Google Drive. I suspect they just don't want the hassle of people forgetting those passwords.
 
GaryTheSnail said:
They could put a disclaimer on saying if you forget your passwords your document/folder is gone….forever and they won’t reset it because they can’t.
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Doesn't stop the barrage of support tickets when people do forget and then they go around moaning that it's all Google's fault.
 
GaryTheSnail said:
Probably this. It’s already behind protection.
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Yes and no.

If I put my phone down, it's say 30s or so until it locks. In that window, someone could start using my phone. If they go into my Google Drive, although it's not obvious, there's a folder in there with every password I have in the world. I'd feel just a touch happier if the folder in question was password protected.

Or if someone get's hold of my google logon, at least all my passwords on Google Drive are behind one more layer of protection.

I know this is all niche/extreme case stuff. But password protection of folders/documents is pretty general/obvious stuff, so it seems odd that that simple additional layer of security (piece of mind) isn't available from Google.

GaryTheSnail said:
They could put a disclaimer on saying if you forget your passwords your document/folder is gone….forever and they won’t reset it because they can’t.
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Just allow such passwords to be reset/cleared but with say a 72hr delay. ie: So you'd need to authenticate/action the password reset/clear via normal authentication, but it would take 72hrs to apply. Thinking being, if your account has been compromised, the access of password protected documents/folders is at least delayed such that hopefully the owner has time to react?
 
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NeilF said:
Yes and no.

If I put my phone down, it's say 30s or so until it locks. In that window, someone could start using my phone. If they go into my Google Drive, although it's not obvious, there's a folder in there with every password I have in the world. I'd feel just a touch happier if the folder in question was password protected.

Or if someone get's hold of my google logon, at least all my passwords on Google Drive are behind one more layer of protection.

I know this is all niche/extreme case stuff. But password protection of folders/documents is pretty general/obvious stuff, so it seems odd that that simple additional layer of security (piece of mind) isn't available from Google.


Just allow such passwords to be reset/cleared but with say a 72hr delay. ie: So you'd need to authenticate/action the password reset/clear via normal authentication, but it would take 72hrs to apply. Thinking being, if your account has been compromised, the access of password protected documents/folders is at least delayed such that hopefully the owner has time to react?
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To be fair keeping your passwords in somewhere you deem as unsafe seems a bit crazy?
 
Begbie said:
To be fair keeping your passwords in somewhere you deem as unsafe seems a bit crazy?
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Define safe?

eg: Some of my friends use 3rd party apps. How safe are those in comparison?

Note: Every site I register with, has a unique email address which is not stored with my password ;)

GaryTheSnail said:
Totally crazy!
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Have you got pearls to clutch? I can lend you some if necessary.
 
NeilF said:
Note: Every site I register with, has a unique email address which is not stored with my password ;)
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A unique email address with a unique password lol don't need to go that far. A unique password would do.

NeilF said:
Have you got pearls to clutch? I can lend you some if necessary.
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Sure thing, throw some over.

PS Ask Google.
 
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GaryTheSnail said:
A unique email address with a unique password lol don't need to go that far. A unique password would do.



Sure thing, throw some over.

PS Ask Google.
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A unique email for each logon is super easy for me given my setup so it's a total no-brainer. Indeed I'd be "totally crazy" not to do it. It also means if I get spam email directed at me, I can typically tell the source. Indeed many years ago this happened to me so I phoned up the company involved and indeed they'd 'sold' my data on. They quickly undid it ;)

Out of interest, you store your passwords how? I'm half tempted to use an app, but then there's the issue of accessibility. ie: The app would need to be on my phone and all my PCs etc. Which would seem a significant downside to it.
 
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GaryTheSnail said:
I use vault warden on 6 devices. Then the security is up to me to manage.
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And that's on Windows systems too? Is that free or paid for? And clearly you trust that app/company enough with all your passwords?

I assume on Windows you need to enter a password to enter the app etc?

I'll take a look at it OOI.
 
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NeilF said:
And that's on Windows systems too? Is that free or paid for? And clearly you trust that app/company enough with all your passwords?

I assume on Windows you need to enter a password to enter the app etc?

I'll take a look at it OOI.
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It's self hosted and yes I trust it.

Vaultwarden = total free self hosted.
Bitwarden = £10 a year roughly for it to be cloud hosted.
 
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