Use the Protect component

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated March 12, 2026
  • 1 minute to read

    • Encrypt a string with the DPAPI algorithm from the Microsoft by using the Protect component in RPA Desktop Design Studio. The component returns the encrypted form of the data you provide.

    Before you begin

    Role required: none

    About this task

    You can configure the properties for the Protect component. For more information about these properties, see Properties of the DPAPI components

    Procedure

    1. In the Toolbox pane, navigate to Security > DPAPI.
    2. Drag the Protect component to the Design surface.
    3. To configure the input fields, see Configure port properties.
    4. Connect the data and control ports of the Protect component to the corresponding ports of the other components as described in the following table.
      Port type Purpose of connection Mandatory?
      Data In (ClearText) Passes the string that you want to encrypt from a previously executed component. Yes
      Data In (Optional Entropy) The optional entropy provides additional security to the encrypted data from risks that make applications running under the same user vulnerable. Passes the entropy from a previously executed component. No. Connecting the port is optional.
      Data In (Scope) Passes the scope of protection from a previously executed component. Yes
      Data Out (String) Returns the encrypted string. No. Connecting the port is optional.

      To view the output, right-click the Return field and click Preview Data.
      Control In Passes the control from a from a previously executed component. Yes
      Control Out Passes the control to the next component. No
    5. Optional: To test the component, under the DESIGN tab, click Run.