Introduction to Web Storage Server Solutions

With enterprise, businesses and government employees working remotely, reliable and secure web based file access is critical. This is where web storage server solutions come into play. With a web storage server solution, you can store, manage, and share your data securely using a secure web browser.. In this article, we will take a closer look at the benefits and features of web storage a server solutions and how implementing them can improve employee productivity and file security. Learn more..

MyWorkDrive Version 6.4 Released to Preview

We are excited to announce the Preview Release of MyWorkDrive Server 6.4 with support for OneDrive and SharePoint Storage and Public file and folder sharing. Version 6.4 preview also includes additional improvements and bug fixes. MyWorkDrive Server Version 6.4 is a major update in preview. Customers are advised to test version 6.4 in a separate or standalone environment.

OneDrive/SharePoint Storage

SharePoint and OneDrive are collaboration and document management platforms by Microsoft which can now be integrated with MyWorkDrive for file access and storage services. By enabling OneDrive and SharePoint Storage in MyWorkDrive, customers can now access OneDrive and SharePoint files side by side with standard SMB File Shares. OneDrive/SharePoint File Share Access allows MyWorkDrive Servers to connect to OneDrive and SharePoint Sites and make them available to clients via the MyWorkDrive Web Browser, Desktop as a Mapped Drive and Mobile Clients. In addition to accessing, saving and updating files, OneDrive/SharePoint in MyWorkDrive supports external public file sharing. Support Articles: SharePoint OneDrive

Public Sharing

Starting with version 6.4, With Public Sharing in MyWorkDrive you can securely collaborate with people outside your organization such as your business partners, vendors, clients, or customers — without the recipient needing a MyWorkDrive account. You can share files or folders with them by creating a link that you can send via email or other methods. You can also control who can view or edit your files and set expiration date and password for your link. Public Share links can be created from the Web, Windows and macOS clients, with a public link management tool for users included in the Web client. Support Article

New Consolidated Integrations Tab

We moved all 3rd party integrations to their own tab in the Server Admin Panel called Integrations. This simplifies and enhances support and availability of 3rd party services and storage providers. Support Article

Cloudflare File Size Limits Removed

We removed the file size limits for MyWorkDrive sites utilizing our Cloudflare hosts under MyWorkDrive.net reverse proxy. MyWorkDrive can be easily integrated with Cloudflare® Tunnel services to automatically provide a secure web address without exposing the MyWorkDrive server to the internet or provisioning security appliances.

Get the full details and downloads on our 6.4 Preview Server Launch Page

MyWorkDrive 6.4 Preview Webinar Registration

On Thursday March 16th, 2023, 9:00 AM PST (12:00 PM EDT, 5:00 PM UTC) we will demonstrate new the features and enhancements in MyWorkDrive version 6.4 currently in preview. Complete the form below to register.

Features Covered:

• OneDrive/SharePoint Storage
• Public Sharing
• New Consolidated Integrations Tab
• Mapped Drive Client Updates
• Mobile Client Updates

Join us: Thursday March 16th, 2023
Start Time: 09:00 AM PST, (12:00 PM EDT, 5:00 PM UTC)

MyWorkDrive 2022 Year in Review and 2023 Road Map

2022 was a great year for MyWorkDrive. We were honored to add numerous customers across all sectors including highly renowned Educational institutions, Governments and Enterprise businesses. This has enabled us to expand our team and continue to invest in new features and security technologies for use by our customers. Some of the major highlights in for 2022 include:

MyWorkDrive Server & Web Client

• Device Approval for Mobile and Mapped Drive Clients
• Server Health Dashboard
• Delegated Guest User Sharing
• Publishing Logs to Syslog server
• Clustering of Office Locks
• Sessions Management

Windows & MacOS Clients

• Performance Improvements to directory browsing and file opening/saving.
• Speed improvements in file saving, particularly in high volume environments
• DLP Mapped Drive Installer Options
• Native file system driver for the macOS Client

MyWorkDrive 2023 Roadmap

Look forward to the following new major features in preview soon:

• External Public Link Sharing
• OneDrive Storage Drive Mounting
• SharePoint Site Drive Mounting

Watch a preview of these new features highlighted in our recent webinar here.

MyWorkDrive was founded around the core value that organizations should have the option to retain ownership and control of their files, whether they are stored online or locally and should not be forced to migrate, convert, or store them in proprietary cloud storage providers requiring vendor lock-in just to experience the benefits of secure online access or collaboration.

Further to that core value, look forward to additional cloud storage options starting with Azure blob storage and Azure file shares. Expanding on that, look forward to alternative authentication options starting with Azure AD (no Active Directory needed).

MyWorkDrive 6.3 Webinar and Demo

We recently demonstrated new features and enhancements in MyWorkDrive version 6.3 and a preview of features currently under development in 6.4.

• External Public Link Sharing
• OneDrive Storage Drive Mounting
• SharePoint Site Drive Mounting

View the Webinar using this link:

Webinar Video

Secure your file sharing over HTTPS

In the wake of ransomware attacks and other threats, businesses, governments and schools are under the constant threat. Legacy remote access mechanisms such as VPN are no longer sufficient to protect files from encryption, theft, data leaks and ransomware.

Unfortunately, migrating files to cloud services as alternative has not proven to be the magic bullet for improving security and controlling costs. Cloud – like any other source of compute and storage resources – tends to sprawl, can be mismanaged and requires vendor lock-in by cloud sync and share vendors that store files in proprietary cloud storage.

The alternative, utilizing VPN software to connect to work resources, is that end users are creating an open tunnel between their home and corporate networks. This provides malware lateral access to numerous network ports across the network. Many companies are looking for a way to lock down their networks to prevent SMB file share access.

According to Gartner, by 2025, 70% of Enterprises will phase out most of their remote access VPN solutions in favor of Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA).

This is where MyWorkDrive can help. MyWorkDrive provides secure remote access to files and file shares without having to use VPNs, manage SQL databases, or migrating files to proprietary cloud storage.

MyWorkDrive multiplexes control and data over a single https connection from client to server which is simple for firewalls to manage and scan for security vulnerabilities.

In addition to Zero Trust Security MyWorkDrive adds these additional Security Features:

• File Type Blocking
• File Size Limiting
• Two factor Authentication
• SAML/Single-Sign-On
• Device Approval
• Data Leak Prevention view of files with download/copy/print restrictions.
• Alerting

MyWorkDrive Webinar and Demo

Register to join our resident experts on Thursday, December 8th, 2022 9:00 AM PST where we will demonstrate new features and enhancements in MyWorkDrive version 6.3 and a preview of features currently under development in 6.4.

• External Public Link Sharing
• OneDrive Storage Drive Mounting
• SharePoint Site Drive Mounting

Register using this link:

Webinar Registration

Can’t make that time? Register anyway and we’ll send you the recording.

Map a network drive on macOS remotely using MyWorkDrive

Did you know MyWorkDrive has a native mapped network drive client for macOS?

macOS users can enjoy the same easy-to-use, full featured experience as Windows users with the MyWorkDrive mapped network drive client for macOS. Complete remote file share access natively in Finder without needing to install a complicated VPN, or being stuck using a web client while connecting over a secure https connection.

The MyWorkDrive macOS network drive client runs as an application on macOS and maps network drives on macs directly in Finder, as if the computer were locally on the network. Once installed, Users can browse/copy/drag/drop/edit/delete and create files on their available network shares as if they were in the office! Learn More & Download.

We are excited to be a sponsor of the Bay Area Government Digital Summit by Govtech on Aug 25, 2022. Join our team in person at this important event on Government Technology’s passion in promoting best practices and spurring innovation in the public sector – more important than ever in challenging times like these. We are excited to sponsor a powerful series of sessions that provide inspiration, participation, education, and thought-provocation in government technology!

We look forward to showcasing our MyWorkDrive file share remote access software in use by governments worldwide.

With Summer shifting into August vacations, it’s a great time to review Software and Server upgrades and take a look at some of the training videos that we have may have been putting off. We assembled resources that we hope you find valuable as you prepare for the busy fall season and that you can share with your users to empower them during their summer travels.

Have members of the IT Admin team that could use a walk through of MyWorkDrive? Been a while since you’ve set it up and want a refresher or personal demo of new features? Book a time & we’ll be happy to answer questions or provide an overview with one of our engineers.

Kind Regards,

MyWorkDrive Team

Server Setup & Optimization

A complete Server Setup guide and latest Video is here: Server Configuration Guide.

Quickly update your MyWorkDrive server to the latest version at any time (Upgrades are free!), our guide steps you through the process.

Deploying and Upgrading installed clients is easy with our scripted deployment options.

Most Popular Features

Edit and Collaborate in Office Online while keeping files local article and video clip.

Device Approval (newest feature since version 6.2)

Native Single Sign On. Setup and learn about Single Sign On options with ADFS or SAML providers.

User Video Resources to Share

Web File Manager: short demo video on how to use MyWorkDrive in the browser

Client Demo: watch here how to access MyWorkDrive from the Windows Client

Mac OS: how to use the native Client for MyWorkDrive on Mac systems

Mobile: Short presentation of the mobile app User Interface

Secure File Share Remote Access

With the shift to full time “Work from home” strategies leading employees to work from home, public coffee shops and insecure tourist destinations, the need for secure mapped network drive access to Windows File Shares has increased ten fold.

Where IT used to provide remote access as a convenience to a few executives while traveling, or key staff while on vacation – its now become a huge burden for staff to manage corporate PC’s remotely, secure internal networks and train users on how to use VPN.

MyWorkDrive alleviates these security and support concerns with our flexible client options that mean options like no remote installs, allowing users to Map Network Drives, and even working from their phone.

The MyWorkDrive map network drive client allows employees to have the same user experience that they previously only had when working in the office or connecting from to VPN from a Corporate PC. With local drive letters that natively present files and folders in Windows explorer and operate as if the data was all on the workstation, users can drag and drop, double click to open, or save as to a MyWorkDrive share. Files are securely stored on company file share, without the worry about files being out of sync or orphaned on remote machines.

In addition to alleviating the IT help desk from supporting VPN and end user PC’s, the MyWorkDrive map network drive client improves security – Only port 443/HTTPS is opened to your MyWorkDrive Server with no direct VPN or lateral access to your internal network or file shares. Additionally, you can layer on additional security features and compliance enhancements including:

Device Approval

In MyWorkDrive 6.2, we introduced device approval where administrators can control what devices are allowed to connect to MyWorkDrive Servers. Features include the ability to monitor usage, last login, and operating system details for all connecting clients.

Data Leak Prevention

Prevent data theft, loss of company data and ensure compliance – while still allowing viewing and editing of files and shares online. Now with added support in mapped drive clients and mobile clients.

All user file sharing access is secure, logged and searchable with watermarking and time stamps. File shares can also be locked down to prevent clipboard copying or printing within our encrypted viewer.

Alerting

Administrators can configure MyWorkDrive to provide alerts on suspicious activity. Get alerts on questionable activity like users uploading or downloading large numbers of files unnecessarily, malware acting on shares, or misconfigured backup/sync products.

Coming soon in version 6.3

The team at MyWorkDrive is looking forward to our latest new features to be released to 6.3 preview soon including:

Native file system driver for the macOS Client

We are working on comprehensive rewrite of the macOS mapped drive client that utilizes macOS file provider instead of the 3rd party Fuse file system driver. File provider installation will remove the requirement for Fuse and the need to use recovery mode during setup on Apple Silicon (M1/M2) based macs.

Health Dashboard

Our new health dashboard will provide feedback on critical services, memory and server readiness with repair recommendations and automated fix tools.

Delegated Guest User Sharing

With this enhancement we will provide the ability to delegate management and creation of external guest user invitations on guest shares from the Web Browser Client to non-it staff.

Publishing Logs to Syslog servers

Our log files have always been published to be machine readable, and many clients have used log aggregators to pull the logfiles into their SEIM, but with 6.3 we’re making it easier by publishing the logs using standard protocols via TCP or UDP.

Clustering of Office Locks

Enhanced management of user sessions and file locks will permit Enterprises running MyWorkDrive in clusters to enable coediting of Office files across multiple MyWorkDrive Servers.

MyWorkDrive and Morro Data announce that they will collaborate to provide businesses with the most complete Cloud NAS solutions for the hybrid workplace. Users anywhere can now securely access the complete file system at up to Gigabit speed.

With MyWorkDrive & Morro Data, it’s easy to Migrate File Servers to the Cloud without managing complex file share migrations, retraining users, or giving up local access.

With a typical “cloud only” type file service, file shares must be converted and locked-in to the cloud storage vendor requiring a complex migration, retraining of users, sync client deployment, and hefty monthly per user fees. These services also do not allow for fast local access when needed to support power users or designers who need local network speeds to work efficiently.

With MyWorkDrive and Morro Data, these problems are solved. Simply sync file shares to the Morro Data Cloud and connect to them using a MyWorkDrive Server for easy remote access without VPN. Power users and designers anywhere who need to access larger files or collaborate on design files with file locking can connect to a local CloudNAS CacheDrive appliance.

The Best of Both Worlds

When used together, MyWorkDrive and Morro Data provide 100% remote accessibility of files from any Web Browser, Mobile, Mapped Drive or local NAS with Gigabit performance.

MyWorkDrive & Morro Data combined Cloud File Server Benefits:

• Keep the same mapped drives with no training needed
• Simple, automated Migration
• No Servers to maintain on-premises
• Unlimited Capacity
• Reduce cost compared to cloud only services
• Maintain Data Privacy, Control of files and storage location
• Access files at Gigabit Speed with CacheDrive gateways

MyWorkDrive & Morro Data – For a complete solution to all your File Share Remote Access needs!