Instructions on how to Zip and Encrypt a file or folder
Download the Software
Once you have downloaded and installed the 7-Zip software from https://www.7-zip.org/, the following steps should be used to zip and encrypt the file or folder.
Double-Zipping Guidance Notes
1. Right click on the file or folder to be encrypted and select “7-Zip” and then the “Add to archive…” option. 
2. In the Add to Archive window, change the name of the archive that you wish to create if the name differs from the file or folder name. File:Double Zipping change name of archive.png
3. Change the Archive format to “Zip”. File:Double Zipping change the archive format to zip.png
4. Change the Encryption Method to “AES-256”. There is a trade-off to be had between selecting AES-256 and ZipCrypto. AES-256 has been proven to be much more secure than ZipCrypto, but if you select AES-256 then the recipient of the zip file may also then have to install 7-Zip or another suitable program to read the file contents. The selection of ZipCrypto may allow users to open the zip file in Windows without a zip program, but it lacks in adequate protection when compared to AES-256. Since the ADA use 7-Zip, and the software is open, it is the recommended encryption service for the Self-Deposit process.
5. At this point, you will be prompted to enter a Password. Use a strong password with at least 8 characters containing both upper and lower case letters, and a minimum of one number. Then select “OK” to create the encrypted archive file. This will be located in the same folder or area as the original file or folder. This entire process should then be repeated on the zipped file or folder in order to apply the second layer of protection. It is this Double-Zipped version of the file or folder that can then be uploaded to the ‘Shell-Dataverse’, maintaining the original formatting and preventing the creation of the 'Explorer' function.
Once the files and/or folders have been ingested to Dataverse, the ADA recommends that users do not upload or email passwords with the zip files and folders as these could be intercepted in transit. It is best to call the recipient and relay the password over the phone. The ADA also uses an SMS facility to communicate passwords via SMS messaging. Additional guidance on this can be obtained through the section Transmission of Passwords via SMS.
Where the Data Owner wishes not to use this product they should contact ADA Staff to discuss the implications of using an alternative software package prior to uploading their files and folders.
Next Page
or
or