If you want to store your files online, you can choose from all kinds of well-known and lesser-known cloud services. However, one is much safer than the other. Anyone who considers attention to the underlying security important should consider the secure cloud services discussed in this article.
A cloud service like Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive stores your files on a server, so you can access them from any logged-in device. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about data loss if your computer breaks down.
What you should keep in mind is that many well-known, free cloud services do not use end-to-end encryption to fully encrypt files. More often they keep the encryption key themselves, which allows them to access your files. For example, to analyze raw data for advertising purposes or to allow a government to access your data with a writ of execution. Some other cloud services are so secure that they cannot do this.
Tresori
Tresori is such a cloud service, based in Switzerland, and therefore bound by the very strict Swiss privacy legislation. The cloud service uses end-to-end encryption to fully encrypt your files so that no one can find out what you have stored online. The so-called zero-knowledge technique means that even Tresorit cannot see how you fill your digital storage space.
Tresorit offers apps for mobile operating systems and computers. The cheapest individual subscription has 500 GB of storage space and costs 100 euros per year. Most of Tresorit’s attention is focused on the business world, for which it offers a variety of subscriptions. In addition to more storage space, they also have administrative rights and functions to collaborate online on documents that are stored in Tresorit’s cloud.
Please note that Tresorit offers a free two week trial, but does not have an ongoing free plan.
ice drive
Another interesting secure cloud service is Icedrive. Bee ice drive you get 10 GB of storage for free. You can increase this for a fee. The cheapest plan offers 150 GB of storage and costs 22 euros per year. Based in the United Kingdom, Icedrive aims to differentiate its paid three-pillar subscription from other cloud services.
For example, the service uses the so-called twofish algorithm, which is more secure than the commonly used AES/Rijndael algorithm. In addition, Icedrive uses client-side encryption, which means that files on your device are encrypted before they are uploaded to the Icedrive cloud. Finally, Icedrive uses zero-knowledge, which means that only you can see and decrypt your stored files.
A point of attention is that the free version of Icedrive does not use client-side encryption and is therefore less secure. Icedrive has apps for the computer, mobile operating systems and a web app.
sync
The cloud service sync is located in Canada and stores all user data in its own country. Sync provides end-to-end encryption to encrypt files and ensures that only you can access your files. Sync also offers two-step verification to better secure your account.
A free Sync account gives you 5 GB of storage. The cheapest paid plan has a striking 2 TB of storage space, but costs $ 96 per year. Paid plans also offer more features, including extended file recovery time and support for Microsoft Office 365, making it easier to edit Office files in Sync. The cloud service focuses on both individual and business users, which is reflected in the focus on secure sharing of (large) files and online collaboration in Sync.
Strato HiDrive
Strato is a German company that offers hosting for websites, among other things. There is also its own cloud service, called HiDrive. Strato stores your files in German data centers that meet the independent TUV ISO 27001 security certification. The HiDrive service has mobile apps, computer programs, a web application, and can be connected to your NAS with an optional package. An API is also available so that you can link HiDrive to your own application.
HiDrive supports two-step verification and – note – optional end-to-end encryption. By default, your files are not stored in the safest way. It therefore pays to enable end-to-end encryption.
Strato offers HiDrive subscriptions for individual and business users. For the cheapest individual subscription you pay 33 euros per year; this gives you 250 GB of storage. Business subscriptions also do not use end-to-end encryption by default.
pCloud
pCloud is a well-known secure cloud service and identical to the competition in many important ways. For example, pCloud uses client-side encryption to encrypt files before uploading to the cloud and a zero-knowledge technique that ensures that only you can access your files.
pCloud has more than proven itself as a secure service. For example, it organized a hacking competition with a hundred thousand dollars as a prize. Nearly three thousand renowned hackers were given six months to hack pCloud. Nobody succeeded.
Targeting individual and business users, pCloud has a variety of team plans and features to collaborate online. The service stores your data in the European Union and is free to try. For the cheapest subscription, including 500 GB storage space, you pay just under fifty euros annually.
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