December 30, 2025

The Beginner’s Guide to Encrypting Files and Folders in 2026

Dat is precies wat er gebeurt wanneer je ‘god-level vertrouwen’ hebt bij het versturen van onbeveiligde bestanden.

2026 is in een oogwenk hier, en als u nog niet heeft geleerd hoe u uw gegevens kunt versleutelen en beveiligen, staat u een lastig jaar te wachten. Gegevensprivacy, beveiliging en gevoeligheid zijn overal gespreksonderwerpen, en met alle datalekken die we dit jaar hebben gezien, hebben we geleerd dat beveiliging op bestandsniveau momenteel voor iedereen essentieel is.

The bottom line is that the mistake was not even a mistake. The real mistake is the poor security protocol, lack of encryption implementation, and the dearth of seriousness when it comes to proper and effective cybersecurity practices.

If you believe 2026 offers second chances, you are mistaken. We need modern encryption tools for personal data, because let’s face it, cybercriminals are evolving, and so must we. We face Mr and Mrs Ransomware, their offspring, AI-automated attacks and RANSOMWARE 5.0.

Prompt Injection and AI poisoning will also join the party in 2026.

Cybercriminals are shifting from traditional ransomware tactics such as encrypting, stealing, deleting data, or threatening public release.

That is not all.

Prompt injection and AI poisoning don't mean injecting gallium into devices or AI hypnotising users with familiar voices. Instead, attackers use malicious prompts to manipulate enterprise AI chatbots or LLMs, bypass security, perform unauthorised actions, or leak sensitive data and trade secrets.

In a world where data travels faster than gossip, how you send information matters more than to whom you send it.

Hier speelt versleuteling een cruciale rol. Het gaat verder dan enkel technisch jargon en raakt aan gezond verstand, en 2025 heeft ons dit allemaal – en meer – op een pijnlijke en kostbare manier duidelijk gemaakt.

Kijk hier eens naar:

1. Als we spreken over een enorme, of beter gezegd obscene, overdracht van economische rijkdom in de geschiedenis, verwacht Cybersecurity Ventures dat de wereldwijde kosten van cybercriminaliteit de komende twee jaar met maar liefst 15% per jaar zullen stijgen, waarbij dit jaar wereldwijd een verbluffende $10,5 biljoen USD wordt bereikt. Bronnen geven ook aan dat wordt geschat dat dit tegen 2031 zal oplopen tot $12 biljoen USD per jaar.

2. Een recent onderzoek van oktober 2025 door Harris Poll voor Mastercard onder bijna 13.077 volwassenen in 13 landen toonde aan dat jongere mensen kwetsbaarder zijn voor cyberdreigingen en online fraude. Het rapport merkt op dat velen zich beschaamd voelen om dergelijke incidenten te melden, en 60% zegt dat fraude zo vaak voorkomt dat het onvermijdelijk lijkt.

3. Op 2 september 2025 heeft Prosper Marketplace te maken gehad met een groot datalek dat bijna 17,6 miljoen records trof. Gevoelige gegevens, waaronder PII, BSNs, namen, adressen, geboortedata, overheids-ID’s, werkgegevens, browserinformatie, inkomen en kredietstatus, werden blootgesteld. Het datalek werd veroorzaakt door een verkeerde configuratie in de cloud en gestolen inloggegevens.

4. De reis- en toerismesector bleef dit jaar ook niet gespaard. Het datalek bij Qantas Airways trof bijna 5,7 miljoen unieke klantgegevens. Persoonlijke gegevens, frequent flyer-nummers, geslacht en maaltijdvoorkeuren werden blootgesteld. Dit was een derdepartij-/supply chain-inbreuk via een zogenaamde ‘island hopping’-aanval.

5. Het incident bij Yale New Haven trof bijna 5,5 miljoen patiëntendossiers. Dit was verreweg een van de grootste datalekken in de gezondheidszorg dit jaar. Het betrof een ransomware-aanval en ongeautoriseerde toegang, waarbij geen enkele publieke of door cybercrime erkende ransomware-groep publiekelijk verantwoordelijkheid heeft opgeëist.

Hieruit blijkt dat versleuteling belangrijk is, maar dat de juiste implementatie van versleuteling in 2026 nog belangrijker is.

Dus laten we de fouten in versleuteling van 2025 achter ons laten en kijken naar hoe u bestanden veilig kunt versleutelen in 2026!

File and Folder Encryption Explained.

Encryption has gone from ‘nice add-on’ to ‘MUST HAVE’.

It basically acts as your digital PPE suit from hackers, attackers, snoopers and other bad actors.

This year, having an ‘OOPs’ moment can be quite expensive. Data Breaches, Ransomware attacks, Phishing mails, Vishing, and more have been quite the flavour of the season this year in Cybersecurity.

A reactive measure or public statement will not solve the problem or mitigate the damage. You need a proactive, granular encryption tool with a plan to protect your files and folders.

And since you have already reached this far with this article, you might as well read this.

You need AxCrypt. Period.

Going into 2026 without AxCrypt is not a good idea. We are ranked among the best modern encryption tools for personal data. AxCrypt works on a cellular level and this means your files, folders and drives come with a personal bodyguard all time, every time.

In 2026, your data needs more than ‘good encryption’. It needs an encryption tool that comes with a plan.

We are talking about:

Seamless file, folder, and drive level encryption that is easy to use and beginner friendly.

A tool that ensures security for your data in transit and at rest.

An on-the-go encryption. This means, you can encrypt files on your phone as well as on your laptop/desktop.

A lightweight but super strong application that can encrypt your data instantly in a blink.

No heavy coding knowledge required, just simply drag and drop for encrption.

Securely share your keys with other trusted AxCrypt users.

The ideal platform for teams to collaborate safe and securely.

As for businesses managing groups, you have complete control and visibilty when it comes to monitoring the flow of information and data in your organization. Check out our guides to know more.

With AxCrypt by your side this 2026 and our tips on best encryption methods for beginners, you can rest assured that you are not reacting, you are preventing, protecting, securing and controlling your data and information.

Let’s now see…

How to encrypt files securely in 2026 with AxCrypt?

Gone are the days when we could proudly say things like ‘BitLocker is all I need.' Or ‘We password-protect files, folders, and drives.

The truth is…

The container is protected, but not the contents, and that’s what we fixed. Here are three ways to encrypt your files:.

Secure Button	Drag & Drop	Right-Click Menu
1. Sign in to the application. 2. Click on Secure on the Homepage menu. 3. Select the file you want to encrypt and click Open. This will encrypt the file.	1. Click on the file you want to encrypt. 2. Drag it and drop it into the signed-in application. 3. Your file will be immediately encrypted.	1. Click on the file you wish to encrypt. 2. Right-click on the file. 3. Go to AxCrypt and click Encrypt.

Here are 3 ways to encrypt a folder with AxCrypt:

Much like encrypting files, folder security comes with an added advantage.

When you secure or encrypt an entire folder, all the files, subfolders, and other nested folders are encrypted as well. This way, nothing gets left out, and everything is encrypted.

Each method provides a reliable way to ensure that your data remains confidential and accessible only to those who have the correct password or key. Understanding these options will help you choose the best encryption technique for your needs.

Add a Folder to the Application	Drag and Drop a Folder	Securing with Right-click
1. Click the Secured folder on the home page. 2. Click Add, find your folder, then encrypt it.	1. Click the Secured folder feature on the home page. 2. Drag your folder into the app to encrypt it.	1. Ensure AxCrypt runs in the background. 2. Find your folder on the desktop, right-click, choose AxCrypt, then encrypt.

On the Contrary, 2026’s game plan is: From Damage Control to Data Control:

2026 is not the year for second chances and is nowhere close to being kind toward data. While you are ‘thinking’ of implementing encryption, hackers and attackers have already made their first moves. It’s time to up the ante and switch to an encryption tool that works on a granular level.

With this article on how to encrypt files and folders, you have now understood that attackers, hackers and malicious actors do wait for budget cycles or internal approvals. They see the gap, they see the carelessness and chance up on it when the time is right.

And with that, the 2025 season of unencrypted, unsafe data comes to an end!

Encrypt Now, Stay Safer Than Ever!

Let’s say the breach is afoot, and the worst part is they breach started with one unencrypted file that quietly bypassed the Zero Trust, IAM, and DLP controls way before the alarms could go off. The attacker is within your system now and can see everything, but can’t access anything…Why?

That’s because of the granular level of file-security that was deployed with AxCrypt. Even though access was compromised, the files remain unreadble and impermeable thanks to the 256-bit encryption and AxCrypt’s layered security.

If securing data and tightening digital security are your goals this 2026, let’s chat!

You can start your free trial here.