Solution
ESET Secure Data is a feature available with an ESET HOME Security Premium, ESET HOME Security Ultimate and ESET Small Business Security subscription that allows you to create encrypted directories on removable drives to protect against data theft if your USB flash drive or laptop is lost.
- How do I enable ESET Secure Data?
Enable ESET Secure Data. - Will the ESET Secure Data drive still work if my ESET subscription expires?
Yes, you can still access your encrypted drive, and the data will still be available for both read and write access. You will not, however, be able to create a new encrypted drive. - What happens if I connect my encrypted removable drive to a computer without ESET Secure Data installed/disabled?
You can access the Secure Data executable file if you connect your encrypted removable drive to a computer without installing ESET Secure Data. Run the executable file to display the encrypted folder and type the correct password. The encrypted folder will then be mounted as a new drive where you can access it. - What happens if I connect my encrypted removable drive to a computer with ESET Secure Data installed/enabled?
If the removable drive is connected to any computer with ESET Secure Data installed, you will be prompted to type your user-defined password to decrypt the removable drive. If no password is entered, the encrypted folder will be visible but not accessible. - What happens to my encrypted data if I have to uninstall my ESET product or if there is a problem with the product?
Your encrypted files are stored separately from ESET program files. Uninstallation or errors in your ESET program will not affect your files. If you have to uninstall your ESET product, you can access your encrypted data after reinstallation by double-clicking the file and typing in your password. - Can I delete a virtual drive?
Yes, but the virtual drive can only be deleted when unmounted. If the virtual drive is mounted, you can only delete its contents. To unmount a virtual drive, right-click the mounted virtual drive in Windows File Explorer and select Eject encrypted drive. After the virtual drive is unmounted, it can be deleted from the disk. - What happens if I leave "Decrypt Automatically on this Windows account" selected?
The encrypted data will be accessible without entering a password. Because this will decrease the security of your data, we do not recommend this option. - What happens if I disable ESET Secure Data after I create a virtual drive?
If you disable ESET Secure Data on your device, you will lose access to the encrypted drive you created. You will regain access to the drive if you re-enable ESET Secure Data. You will still need the password you used when you first created the encrypted drive. We recommend decrypting the folder and removing all files before deleting or disabling Secure Data. - What happens if ESET Secure Data is set up with a created virtual drive/removable drive and the subscription expires? Will the data still be accessible after the subscription has expired?
The existing drive and the data will still be accessible, even for write access. However, you will not be able to create a new encrypted drive. - What happens if ESET Secure Data is set up with the selected option "Decrypt Automatically on this Windows account" if you do not have a password-protected login to Windows? Will the same password I set to access the virtual drive/removable drive be requested when trying to access it, or will it be automatically available?
The data will be available without requiring you to enter a password. - What encryption type does ESET Secure Data use?
All encrypted data in ESET Secure Data uses the AES algorithm with a 256-bit key, including encrypting with a removable drive or creating an encrypted virtual drive.
For more information about the ESET Secure Data feature and how to use it, visit the ESET Secure Data Online Help topic.
