Comments on: Dropbox: A Privacy Black Box

By: Dropbox Encryption | Six Lines

Dropbox Encryption | Six Lines — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:18:50 +0000

[...] some ways, this ‘new’ threat isn’t really all that new. Jim Harper identified the basic privacy problems with Dropbox way back in December 2009: I homed right in on their “Policies” page, looking for assurance [...]

By: Raid Recovery

Raid Recovery — Sat, 29 May 2010 00:23:40 +0000

I agree to you. And also love to use dropbox.

By: Raid Recovery

Raid Recovery — Fri, 28 May 2010 19:23:40 +0000

I agree to you. And also love to use dropbox.

By: Zach Dwiel

Zach Dwiel — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:21:00 +0000

I've been using Wuala for a little while now and like it so far. The client encrypts data with strong keys before it is sent to the cloud. Data is stored in a P2P network as well as on Wuala servers so nothing ever gets lost, but Wuala doesn't have to pay for all of the bandwidth. You get cloud storage equal to the amount of disk space you donate * the % of time you are connected. Its the only cloud storage solution I've found which has a free solution that allows more than 1 or 2 GB.

By: Zach Dwiel

Zach Dwiel — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 06:21:00 +0000

By: software_critics

software_critics — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:58:27 +0000

I have tried using Dropbox in two separate instances but it was a complete failure. It doesn't even sync files uploaded on multiple PCs contrary to what it brags as capable of doing.

By: willamtarker

willamtarker — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 07:57:53 +0000

This sounds interesting as i have never used this
kind of black box before, so please send me the
invite so that i can get the benefit of the service.

By: Axel

Axel — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:10:27 +0000

I am a SpiderOak user myself and love it, moved from DtopBox due to their 'sync folder' where you have to sync everything from one place. SpiderOak allows you to sync any number of folders, and keep the current folder structure.

By: webcoyote

webcoyote — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 06:08:51 +0000

Check out DropBox competitor SpiderOak (http://www.spideroak.com) which encrypts files on the client-side before upload (and doesn't retain the password) so that the company has no access to your personal data.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 04:16:54 +0000

Anyone looking for a Dropbox referral link (gives you & me free extra storage space), feel free to use mine here: https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTE4NjM0NDY5

Thanks!

By: cryptozoologist

cryptozoologist — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:05:15 +0000

surely you don't think that any website's 'policy' regarding privacy, which likely can be changed at any time offers you any real protection? so that when you suspect that website has violated your privacy you can take them to court? you did save a copy of the policy from the day you signed up right? dropbox is a useful service that i enjoy and use, but i do not expect any level of actual privacy. what i get is convenience and i am sure to not include my plans for world domination there (unless i encrypt them first!)

By: cryptozoologist

cryptozoologist — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:05:15 +0000

By: Guest

Guest — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:00:05 +0000

Local encryption and backup prior to storing data in the cloud is one way of addressing these concerns. (Use a public key/private key architecture if you need to share encrypted data.) Unfortunately this introduces logistical problems…c'est la vie.

By: chris

chris — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 21:40:46 +0000

your comments on data liberation and risk of data being held hostage are moot. all data remains on your local device and is simply synced to the dropbox service. basically it is a poor mans cvs/svn/git

By: Berin Szoka

Berin Szoka — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:26:23 +0000

Zounds! It's time to reform Fourth Amendment Privacy Doctrine. Jim, if only you had written a law review article on that subject!

Oh, wait, you already did!