Using Safehouse

How Do I Launch SafeHouse?

SafeHouse runs as a system tray utility each time Windows starts. Look for the red padlock icon pictured below.

Right click on the padlock icon to see SafeHouse's main menu.

Main Menu

• Open Volumes
• Explore Files
• Close Volumes
• Suspend Access
• Tools & Options
  

Where does SafeHouse Keep My Files?

SafeHouse keeps your secret files in large container files which can only be opened up using your password. Think of these as giant data vaults which hide and encrypt your files so nobody can get at them without your permission. You created your first one when you ran the SafeHouse installer.

In SafeHouse, these containers are called "volumes" -- a common industry term. You can create as many as you need and save them to any folder or disk drive, including external drives, USB flash drives and network servers. Volumes can be any size you'd like, up to the entire size of your hard drive. Each one has its own password.

How Do I Protect My Files?

The first thing to know is that SafeHouse only protects files which you specifically say to protect.

SafeHouse makes it easy to access the big containers storing your files by adding new disk drive letters to Windows.

You let SafeHouse know which files you would like protected by moving them to the new SafeHouse disk drive letter. This disk drive letter works just like any other drive letter in Windows. You'll see it in Explorer and all of your favorite software applications.

Any files saved to the SafeHouse drive letter are automatically encrypted and under the full protection of SafeHouse. Nobody can get at these files without knowing the secret password.

Before being able to access your SafeHouse volumes (container files), you must first open them with your password. This is described below.

How Do I Open SafeHouse Volumes using My Password?

SafeHouse will require that you enter your password before granting access to any of your secret files. Each volume (container file) has its own password, and this password applies to all of the files it contains. You do not have to supply passwords for individual files and documents -- that would surely drive you nuts!

Once SafeHouse accepts your password, all your files will be immediately available using the new disk drive letter added by SafeHouse. Don't forget to close your volumes when you're done using them. Closing volumes locks them up tight.

Your Primary Volume

Everyone has a primary volume. This is the one you use most often and you can open it with two mouse clicks.

To open your primary volume, either:

• Double-click the SafeHouse padlock system tray icon.
• Right click on the padlock icon and choose Open Primary.

Working with your Protected Files

The great thing about SafeHouse is that you don't have to change your working habits to keep your files protected. The only thing you need to do is remember to save your sensitive files to the SafeHouse drive letter instead of drive C: as you might normally do.

A few simple rules:

SafeHouse is 100% compatible with Explorer. Using Explorer is the easiest way to move your files over to SafeHouse.

If you "copy" a file from a normal folder on your C: drive to the SafeHouse drive, even though the copy inside SafeHouse is fully protected, you've still left your original copy in the old unprotected folder. The solution is to "move" instead of "copy". This way you're not leaving an unprotected copy of the file somewhere on your drive.

If you move or copy a file from your SafeHouse drive letter to some other drive or folder outside of SafeHouse, then that file is no longer protected by SafeHouse.

Files you drag out of SafeHouse and attach to emails are no longer protected by SafeHouse. If you need to email protected files, see Emailing Files using SafeHouse.

What about Smartcards?

Using smartcards in SafeHouse is optional, but wonderfully convenient. SafeHouse can store all of your passwords on a single smartcard or USB memory stick so you never need to type them again. The only thing you need to remember is the single PIN for your smartcard. The links below will point you to more information, including our list of supported devices and many benefits of using smartcards.