Encryption Galaxy S8

[Wastora]

Hi, 

I bought a Samsung Galaxy S8, but can't find any method to encrypt the data stored on the device. This 'encrypt phone' option was present on my previous phone, the Galaxy S5. There is an option to encrypt data on the SD-card of the S8 though. 

Does the S8 encrypt data stored on the device itself by default? If not, how can I encrypt this data (without using Secure Folder or additional apps)?

Note that I am asking about encryption of the data itself, like a bitlocker or Windows File Encryption on a computer.

Thanks!

[Talí]

Hi Wastora,

The S8 is encrypted by default when putting in the screenlock credentials: pin, patern, fingerpatern, password, but this is very basic security. See: Settings> Screen lock and security> Secure startup.

You've probably already seen it but you can also encrypt your SD card via Storage settings. This is the kind of encryption you are talking about I assume, but this option is only for SD.

If you want extra encryption I would advice using Secure folder for individual apps/documents or Knox Mobile Security for a full phone(Knox sandbox) encryption.

Qoute on Secure folder from Samsung:
"Application data and files put in the Secure Folder are encrypted with defense-grade Sensitive Data Protection (SDP) technology - using 256-bit AES cipher algorithm to secure data.."

Hope this was helpfull!

[Wastora]

Thanks for your reply :smileyhappy: 

You write: "The S8 is encrypted by default when putting in the screenlock credentials". Can you elaborate what this encryption entails? My computer also asks for a password at startup, but that does not mean the files are encrypted. When you remove the harddrive, all the data is accessible. 

I wonder if files are accessible when the phone is stolen and the storage is removed. File encryption (or a bitlocker) should prevent access to the data. Is this automatically included when any screenlock credential is activated on the S8? If that is so, what is the benefit of Secure Folder?

[BruceH]

Hi @Wastora,

Files are not accessible when it's locked, if you reset the phone, you'll have to log in with the Samsung account that is linked to the phone. I have not tried removing the internal storage from a smartphone, so I can't answer that question, in case you really want to know, I can speak to our Product Specialist.

If you have any important files, I suggest you use the Secure Folder.

More info about Secure Folder.

[Talí]

Indeed as Bruce mentioned data should not be accessable when the phone is locked. But again this is basic security so it only protects to the extent of the credentials you put in. So password would be harder to crack than pin and fingerprint would be harder to crack than password etc.

When looking back at my original comment I think screenlock protection does not classify as "Encryption" it would be leaning more towards security.

Benefit of Secure folder and KNOX would be the high level of encryption in comparison to the basic level security of screen lock protection. As far as I know most computer scientists have a real hard time cracking 256-bit encryption. US government also requires sensitive information to be stored with at least 192-bit or 256-bit encryption.