How to Make Google Documents Private and Secure Online

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To make Google Documents private and secure online, you need to understand the basics of Google's sharing settings. By default, Google Documents are set to public, meaning anyone with the link can view them.

To change this, go to the "Share" button and select "Get shareable link." From there, you can choose to make the document private by selecting "Anyone with the link" and setting the permissions to " Viewer" or " Commenter."

Make sure to set the document to "On" for "Require sign-in" to ensure only authenticated Google account holders can access it. This is a crucial step in securing your document.

Security Measures

Adding passwords to your Google Docs is not enough to protect your sensitive information. Passwords can be easily cracked by hackers.

Google Docs uses world-class data centers that are encrypted for both storage and access, but you still need to add passwords and additional encryption to keep your documents secure.

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Here are some additional security measures you can take:

  • Use a third-party add-on like DocSecrets to password-protect parts of your Google Doc with a password.
  • Set permissions to either view or edit, and uncheck the boxes to prevent editors from changing permissions or sharing and to prevent non-editors from downloading, printing, or copying the doc.
  • Use two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security.
  • Consider using a security-driven digital vault like Trustworthy, which is compliant with data privacy laws.

To prevent editing, copying, and sharing, you can follow these steps:

  1. Find the document you wish to share in your Google Drive folder.
  2. Right-click on the file and select “Share”. Alternatively, double-click to open the doc, navigate to “File”, and then click “Share”.
  3. Clicking on Share will open a box saying “Share [document name].” Type names to add people or groups from your contacts to this list.
  4. Click on the gear icon to access “Settings”. Uncheck both boxes to prevent editors from changing permissions or sharing and to prevent non-editors from downloading, printing, or copying the doc.

Here are the access levels you can grant to others:

  • Viewer: People can access the document but can’t change or share the file.
  • Commenter: People can make comments or suggestions but can’t change or share the document.

Note that Google Docs itself doesn’t offer password protection, but you can use a third-party solution to download and password-protect your documents.

Alternative Options

If you're looking for an alternative to Google Docs, there are options available. Locklizard is a secure alternative that allows businesses to add additional security to their documents after collaboration is complete.

Google Docs' built-in tools aren't suitable for sensitive or confidential information. Locklizard enables businesses to lock their Google Docs from editing, sharing, and copying.

The collaboration process can be completed in a familiar application like Google Docs. However, Locklizard provides the flexibility to secure sensitive documents when they are shared with others.

Locklizard offers a 15-day free trial to try out their DRM software. This allows you to test their security features and see if they meet your needs.

Tips and Benefits

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If you're using Google Docs to share confidential information, you're at risk of being a victim of cybercrime. Having unprotected documents stored in an online cloud storage is a poor security practice.

You should password-protect documents, especially if you're a business storing or processing your customers' private data. It's your responsibility to keep it safe.

To get started, select the permissions to either view or edit.

Password Protection Benefits

Password protection is a must when sharing confidential information in Google Docs.

Sharing confidential information like medical or financial details without password protection puts you at risk of being a victim of cybercrime.

You may think sharing unprotected documents with other Google accounts with two-factor authentication is safe, but it's not the case.

If you're using Google Docs for business purposes without any security measures, your business may be considered non-compliant with data privacy laws.

Having a security-driven digital vault like Trustworthy can help keep your documents safe, and it's compliant with data privacy laws as a SOC 2, Type 2, and SOC 3 compliant platform.

To add an extra layer of security, be sure to select the permissions to either view or edit when sharing your document.

Password Protection Tips

Credit: youtube.com, How to Create a Strong Password You Can Easily Remember (3 Strategies)

Adding password protection to your Google Docs is a crucial step in keeping your sensitive information safe.

If you're using Google Docs to share confidential information, you're at risk of being a victim of cybercrime.

Having unprotected documents stored in an online cloud storage is a poor security practice, which can lead to non-compliance with data privacy laws.

To select the right permissions, choose between view or edit options.

A strong password is essential to ensure your document is secure, and you can follow tips to create a strong and safe password.

Using a third-party add-on like DocSecrets can provide an alternative to built-in password protection features in Google Docs.

To add password protection using DocSecrets, start by opening the Google Doc you want to protect.

In addition to passwords, consider combining password protection with other security measures, such as encryption.

Encryption scrambles the data or metadata, making it impossible for someone to read the information, even if they have the password.

A 256-bit key length encryption, like the one used in Microsoft Word, is a robust security feature to consider.

Calvin Connelly

Senior Writer

Calvin Connelly is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting engaging content on a wide range of topics. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, Calvin has established himself as a versatile and reliable voice in the world of writing. In addition to his general writing expertise, Calvin has developed a particular interest in covering important and timely subjects that impact society.

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