Is Kontuly secure? How are my books protected?
Your Kontuly books stay on your own computer, not online, so they're protected by three layers: your computer's disk encryption, an optional app password, and an optional backup password for copies that leave the computer. Set the two passwords in Settings → Security.
1. Turn on disk encryption first
Kontuly doesn't encrypt the live books file itself, so the strongest protection is the encryption built into your computer. It protects everything on the disk, books and daily backups included, if the computer is lost or stolen.
- Mac: System Settings → Privacy & Security → FileVault → Turn On.
- Windows: Settings → Privacy & security → Device encryption (or BitLocker on Windows Pro).
Use a login password on the computer too.
2. An app password
Kontuly asks for it when it opens, after a time without use, and when the computer sleeps. It stops other people at this computer from seeing your books. See How do I set an app password?
3. A backup password
It encrypts off-site copies and exported backups, so a lost USB drive doesn't expose your books. See How do I password-protect my backups?
What else protects my data?
- Email password: stored encrypted with your operating system's keychain, and never shown again.
- Audit log: every change is recorded with what changed and when, and can't be edited. See What does the Kontuly audit log record?
- Private logs: log files mask email addresses, and crash reports stay on your computer unless you send them.
- Signed installers: Mac builds are signed and notarised by Apple; Windows installers are code-signed.
- No analytics: Kontuly doesn't report what you do in the app.
More is on Your data and privacy.
Related questions
- How do I set an app password in Kontuly?Set an app password in Kontuly's Settings → Security so it asks for it on opening, after idle time and on sleep. A forgotten password can't be recovered.
- How do I password-protect my Kontuly backups?Set a backup password in Kontuly's Settings → Security and every off-site copy and exported backup is encrypted (AES-256). Keep the password safe.
- Is Kontuly cloud software? Where are my books kept?Kontuly is desktop software, not cloud. Each business is a file on your own computer. Here's what does go online, and how your books are kept safe.
More about backups, data and security
- Where does Kontuly store my books on my computer?Kontuly keeps each business as a file in its data folder on your Mac, Windows or Linux computer. The folder paths, and why to use the backup buttons instead.
- How does Kontuly back up my books?Kontuly backs up every business automatically each day and keeps the last 14, plus one before updates and deletes. How to see backups and take one now.
- How do I keep a copy of my Kontuly books off the computer?Set up off-site copies in Kontuly and it copies every business each day to a USB drive, network drive (NAS) or other folder you choose. Nothing is sent online.
- How do I export a backup of my Kontuly books?In Kontuly, open Settings → Backups and click Export… to save the open business as one .kontuly file you can keep on a USB drive or send to someone.
- How do I restore a Kontuly backup?Restoring a backup in Kontuly always adds it as a new, separate business, so your current books are never overwritten. How to restore a listed backup or a file.