‘I love Samsung for this’ Galaxy owners praise secret folder feature that hides photos, notes and more

SAMSUNG users may not be aware of a built-in tool that protects their most sensitive information from prying eyes.

A feature called Secure Folder lets you hide your personal data – like photos, notes and more – using a special password.

To take advantage of the tool, navigate to and open Settings and tap “Security & Privacy.”

Selecting “More security settings” takes you to the “Secure Folder” tab.

Touch “Continue“And grant the necessary permissions by tapping it again. If necessary, log in to your Samsung account and click “OK”.

You will be asked to set up a security method such as PIN, password or pattern to access the folder.

You will also be asked to enable “Reset with Samsung account.”

The manufacturer recommends that you perform this step as it will allow you to access your secure folder if you forget your password.

Once your folder is set up, adding items is quick and easy.

To move apps like your banking app to Secure Folder, tap “Add apps,” which appears as a plus sign.

Select the desired application to place it in the folder, followed by “Add”.

Users can also add individual files such as photos and downloaded documents.

Select “More options” or the three vertical dots, followed by “Add files”. You can use “My Files” to find items on your device.

Another method is to long press on a photo or file until a menu appears.

Tap “More” and then “Move to safe folder”.

Removing items is equally intuitive. Just keep them pressed and repeat the same process until you see the option “Move out of secure folder”.

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For greater security, you can hide the Secure Folder from your Applications screen.

Swipe down using two fingers to access the Quick Settings panel, then find and tap “Secure Folder” to hide the app.

Alternatively, go to “Security and privacy” in Settings and select “More security settings”.

Tap “Secure Folder” and log in when prompted.

To complete the process, toggle the button next to “Add secure folder to Applications screen” to turn it off.

If you prefer to keep the folder visible, you can change its name or icon.

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Navigate and open the “Secure Folder”. You may be asked to enter your security credentials.

Tap “More options”, followed by “Customize”. After making the desired changes, tap “Apply”.

Samsung fans who discovered the feature are excited about it, with one Redditor proclaiming, “I love it Samsung for this!”

Even casual users recognize the security benefitswhich includes keeping your information secure from others applications who might want to access it.

“It’s not about being secretive, it’s about not allowing any apps to access files you consider critical,” said one. Samsung fan wrote.

“Even with all file access, no application outside of Secure Folder can access the files, at least not without effort on your part first.”

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More advanced users can integrate additional layers of security, such as a virtual private network or VPN.

A VPNor virtual private network, establishes an airtight connection between a device and a network by scrambling its data.

“My favorite part is that it is completely sandboxed,” wrote one Galaxy Note 9 user.

“You can have a VPN running inside it that filters all traffic inside it, leaving normal phone traffic alone. This is revolutionary.”

How to protect yourself from cyber attacks

Here’s what Mackenzie Tatananniscience and technology reporter for The US Sun, has this to say:

It’s important to keep security in mind whenever you browse the internet or log into your devices. Just because you have nothing to hide doesn’t mean you want strangers spying on your activity. (Yes, this includes your Internet service providers!)

I’m a big proponent of VPNs, or virtual private networks, which encrypt (or “scramble”) your data to make it nearly impossible to intercept.

I’m also a big fan of the Tor Browser, although I understand it’s not for everyone and can be difficult to navigate for first-time users. (I admit it’s not very practical either, considering most sites are not indexed on the dark web.)

I find some of the NSA tips extremely helpful and follow them personally. For example, the agency recommends installing a minimum number of apps and only those from official app stores.

In addition to saving phone storage, this is an effective security measure – most, if not all, apps will track you. While no one is truly defenseless against a bad actor, there are small steps you can take to protect yourself.

This includes turning off location services for the apps you use (preventing geolocation) and managing other settings, including which apps have access to your photos and other data, in the Settings section of your phone.

Another Redditor claimed that Secure Folder was the selling point for Samsung devices.

“Which is why I use a Samsung. I don’t know if others offer such a function,” he wrote.