1. Introduction
2. Use Cases
3. Setup and Installation
   1. Install the browser extension
   2. Create a cloudHQ account and connect Google Drive
   3. Open Gmail and compose a new email
   4. Click Secure Share in Gmail
   5. Click Create New Share
   6. Select the Google Drive file
   7. Choose sharing options and create the share
   8. Share card is inserted into email
   9. Send the email
4. Tracking and controlling your secure shares
5. Additional Resources and Next Steps

Introduction

Secure Document Sharing by cloudHQ lets you share Google Drive files with password-protected links that can expire. Instead of sending a normal Google Drive link that anyone can forward or keep forever, Secure Document Sharing gives you control over who can access your file and for how long.

With Secure Document Sharing, you pick a file from Google Drive, set an optional password, choose an expiration date, and send a secure download link to your recipient. You can also track access, including when the file was opened, approximate location, IP address, and whether the file was downloaded.

This is useful for sending contracts, reports, client files, financial documents, HR records, proposals, media files, and other sensitive documents while keeping tighter control over access and delivery.

Your files stay in Google Drive™. Recipients do not need a Google account, browser extension, or special software. They open the secure link, enter the password if required, and download the file.

Use Cases

Here are common use cases for Secure Document Sharing via Email by cloudHQ:

1. Sharing contracts and legal documents

   Lawyers and legal teams can send contracts, case files, and other confidential documents from Gmail™. Instead of attachments or basic Google Drive™ links, they can insert a password-protected, expiring share from the Gmail compose window. This keeps the email workflow simple while adding access control and tracking.

2. Sending financial and tax documents

   Accountants and financial teams can send tax returns, statements, audit files, and reports while writing their client email in Gmail™. The secure share is added right into the email, so the message, password notes, and deadlines stay in one place. They can also track if the recipient opened or downloaded the file.

3. Delivering HR and internal business records

   HR and operations can send offer letters, employee records, policies, and compensation details from Gmail™ without switching tools. Instead of regular attachments that can be forwarded, they can add a secure link, set an expiration date, require a password, and keep an access log.

4. Sharing healthcare or confidential client files

   Healthcare teams and service providers can share referral letters, care plans, lab reports, and other confidential files as part of normal Gmail™ communication. The recipient gets a clear email with a secure link, and the sender keeps control with password rules, expiration, and an audit log showing when and where the file was opened.

5. Sending proposals, creative assets, and project files

   Agencies, freelancers, and project teams can send proposals, designs, pre-release content, media, technical docs, and final deliverables right from Gmail™. The secure share can be created while composing the email, so there is no need to leave Gmail™ or manage links elsewhere. Recipients get a simple download flow, and the sender gets expiration control and download tracking.

Installing the extension and creating your first password-protected share

1. Install the browser extension Secure Document Sharing via Email by cloudHQ.
   
2. After installation, create a cloudHQ account and allow cloudHQ to connect to your Google Drive.
3. Open Gmail and compose a new email.
4. Click the Secure Share button in the Gmail compose toolbar.
   
5. Click Create New Share:
   
6. Select the Google Drive file you want to share.
   
7. Choose your secure sharing options and click Create Secure Share:
   • Password protection: require recipients to enter a password before opening or downloading.
   • Expiration date: choose how long the secure link stays active.

   

8. The secure share card will be inserted into your Gmail email body.
   
9. Send the email to your recipient.

The download page will look like this:

Tracking and controlling your secure shares

The Secure Document Sharing dashboard lets you review and manage your secure shares in one place. To open the dashboard, go here: https://www.cloudhq.net/main_secure_share/

From the dashboard, you can:

1. See your secure share stats (click the info icon)
2. Pause or start your secure share (click the pause or start icon)
3. Delete your secure share (click the trash icon)
4. Personalize your secure share page (click Personalize Share Page)
5. Default Setting (click Manage Settings)

Additional Resources and Next Steps

For more help and product info, see:

1. Frequently Asked Questions: File Request: FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
2. Video overview: How it works
3. Product website: Secure Document Sharing by cloudHQ
4. Pricing: Secure Document Sharing pricing
5. Chrome extension: Secure Document Sharing via Email by cloudHQ on Chrome Web Store
6. Microsoft Edge extension: Secure Document Sharing for Gmail by cloudHQ on Microsoft Edge Store
7. Google Workspace Marketplace app: Secure Document Sharing by cloudHQ on Google Workspace Marketplace
8. Support: Secure Document Sharing support articles
9. cloudHQ website: cloudHQ
10. cloudHQ blog: cloudHQ Blog