I was just reading an article about using Dropbox on Linux and it got me interested in the different cloud storage options available.
Cloud storage is becoming a big think in the information age, with everybody wanting to have all their files accessible from any piece of equipment anywhere around the globe. More and more storage options are appearing and I know Dropbox has become a widely used name in recent times.
I have used Dropbox as a sharing tool for myself and some friends but after looking into it a bit deeper I found another option in Wuala. Same principle only a big selling point for me was that all the data on my 2Gb cloud is encrypted.
Now lets get to the point!
I was interested if anybody on the forums uses a different online storage service, like Windows Skydrive or UbuntuOne, and what you would recommend about them.
If you are interested, the afore mentioned article can be read here.
Here are some links to the services mentioned above.
I’ve always been happy with Dropbox, so can’t say I’ve tried anything else :o
As for encryption … if I bung anything in my dropbox I don’t want others to have access to, I encrypt it myself, which somehow feels safer than entrusting the encryption to others.
Windows Skydrive is out … something to do with the name puts me off, but I can’t quite put my finger on it
UbuntuOne … I have it set up, but don’t actually use it … no particular reason … just used to dropbox.
Waula … hadn’t heard of them before, so I’ll certainly be taking a look … if it’s ALL encrypted, how does giving people a link to something in the “Public” folder work ?
(I suppose the best way to find out is to give it a spin)
I think Dropbox encrypts all the data as well but Wuala encrypts it on a user to user basis instead of just encrypting their servers. If that makes sense.
I haven’t tried the shared folder yet, no one else I know uses it yet! No matter how many times I mention it!!
I don’t do a lot of encryption … so it depends on the circumstances.
Just a password protected rar with file list encryption.
or ccrypt (in most distros repos)
Be aware ccrpyt is a command line tool, and only encrypts single files (so you’ll need to archive, if you want to encrypt a directory)
And the MAJOR thing to watch out for is it AUTOMATICALLY deletes the original as you encrypt/decrypt … so if you need to keep an original, move it to another directory first. ← this can be a bit of a pain so be careful.
Encrypt with:
ccrypt -e filename
you’ll be asked twice for a passphrase.
Decrypt with
ccrypt -d filename.cpt
simple as that … uses 256bit AES encryption (Rijndael cipher) … it may not be the strongest encryption in the world, but for that I suppose I’d have to do some more research if I ever had the need.
As I said I have little need for encryption … other than things like my password lists … for which I used to use KeypassX, but now just encrypt a text file myself with ccrypt, then I can store it on my dropbox along with a few other encrypted things … I’m always open to better suggestions though, as long as they’re easy to use
Interesting stuff, but I mainly use dropbox if I ever want to store something that I can have available anyway, although when I buy an old beige box, I’ll be turning it into an NAS, so it’ll probably make Dropbox redundant, unless I want to share some files.
Another cloud service I use is mediafire. I usually use this to store my “programs” (if you get what I mean) that came in archived files. I also use it to store my video editing stuff, like plug-ins, soundtracks, etc. It lets you encrypt things with passwords etc on the server, or you can upload the files already encrypted.
I also use dropbox, that is embedded in peppermint two , making it so easy for non experts (me) to use.
I have it on my acer one and on my duel boot desktop m/c (with peppermint and xp)
I’ve also signed up with CX.com that has 10 gig free, after reading some excellent reviews, but to make most use of it, drag and drop folders etc, an app has to be downloaded and surprise surprise linux is not supported (yet).
The box.com “Personal” account only comes with 5GB for free … where did you get 50GB from ?
As box.com don’t do a Linux client … if anyone’s interested in a way of mounting your box.com WebDAV share … see the fourth posting (Promoted response) here: Box Support
or my instructions in the second Quote box below.
The above applies to Ubuntu/Mint/Peppermint/Deban etc. … but should be easily modifiable for any other distros.
Be aware that in Ubuntu 11.10 you can mount a WebDAV share directly from within the nautiuls file manager from the File>Connect to Server dialog, so that may be a better way … but that doesn’t work in 11.04 (and probably earlier) … so you’ll have to follow the instructions below.
