Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 22

Thread: How safe is Dropbox?

  1. #1
    Platinum Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    SA
    Posts
    1,520
    Thanks
    207
    Thanked 84 Times in 80 Posts

    How safe is Dropbox?

    Hello Everyone,

    I wanted to know from the technology savy members

    How safe is it to use Dropbox and would you keep sensitive data on Dropbox?

    Thanks,

  2. #2
    Diamond Member AndyD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Cape Town
    Posts
    4,923
    Thanks
    576
    Thanked 934 Times in 755 Posts
    This is a vague question. What kind of material are you looking at archiving there?
    What does the word 'safe' mean? Do you mean safe as in it won't get lost or safe as in you don't want your kids seeing it or safe as in you don't want governments, law enforcement agencies or courts of law being able to subpoena the info?

    Dropbox runs over an encrypted transfer protocol so the connection between your pc and dropbox is assafe as internet banking for example. The dropbox servers are not encrypted so the info could be handed over by Dropbox the company if someone got a court order.

    You can mount a virtual Truecrypt drive within your Dropbox which would give some further measure of protection but if someone manages to get between you and the dropbox server in a classic 'man in the middle' type attack then you dropbox and truecrypt passwords would be compromised.

    I would use dropbox for general non-sensitive off-site backups if I didn't have a gmail account. I wouldn't use dropbox for anything incriminating or anything that requires absolute secrecy. I have a dropbox which I actually use for sharing files, anything I get asked for on a regular basis I just dump in dropbox and give access to anyone that wants it, that way I only upload the item once and it saves my bandwidth.
    Computer and internet safety is a frame of mind, nothing more.
    _______________________________________________

    _______________________________________________

  3. Thanks given for this post:

    AmithS (06-Jan-12)

  4. #3
    Diamond Member Citizen X's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    lenasia
    Posts
    3,404
    Thanks
    868
    Thanked 701 Times in 613 Posts
    I plead ignorance on this one! I would also like to know how safe it is?
    “Ubuntu is the essence of being humane" Desmond Tutu
    Spelling mistakes and/or typographical errors I found in leading publications.
    Click here
    sabbaticus

  5. #4
    Full Member thinusmj's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Roodepoort, Gauteng
    Posts
    27
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 10 Times in 6 Posts
    I am using Dropbox only for file sharing and non-sensitive off-site backups.

    WHY?



    It has been reported that Dropbox, one of the most popular cloud storage options available, has been charged with an FTC complaint. Apparently the promises of keeping your files encrypted and secure on their servers are a lie, according to Christopher Soghoian, the security researcher who brought up the issue.

    According to the complaint, Dropbox has the ability to access and view all the files uploaded to the service despite claiming that they weren’t able to see the files you uploaded without a password. This meant that users were at the risk of government searches, rogue Dropbox employees and even companies trying to bring mass copyright-infringement suits.

    http://www.gadgetpolice.com/gadget/d...ou-thought.php


    And there are more just search for " How safe is dropbox" and see

    http://memeburn.com/2011/06/dropbox-...urity-failure/

  6. Thanks given for this post:

    AmithS (06-Jan-12)

  7. #5
    Platinum Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    SA
    Posts
    1,520
    Thanks
    207
    Thanked 84 Times in 80 Posts
    AndyD, I meant safe as in other people being able to access the files\hack the server kind off thing. It would be sensitive information to me but not illegal information!

    If not dropbox, what would be a good way of backing up data? and would encryption be the solution for example your laptop being stolen? (so that no one can access the information)

  8. #6
    Diamond Member Neville Bailey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Westville, Durban
    Posts
    2,760
    Thanks
    44
    Thanked 451 Times in 396 Posts
    Singhms,

    Have you considered IronTree as a secure, encrypted online backup system?

    The only downside is that it is not a free service. Costs vary depending on how much data you want to backup.

    A huge benefit over Dropbox (apart from the issues raised already in this thread) is that your first backup is the largest - thereafter files are backed up incrementally, and not just at a file level, but at the bit level. In other words, if you want to backup your Outlook.pst file (which could be huge), subsequent backups will only transfer the portion of that pst file that has changed, not the entire pst file.

    You can try IronTree for two weeks, at no charge, before deciding whether or not to subscribe to the service, so it's risk free.

    [Dave A, I am an IronTree dealer, so the links above are affiliate links to my dealership. Let me know if you don't want me to publish affiliate links here, and I will remove them immediately.]
    Neville Bailey - Sage Pastel Accounting Consultant
    www.accountingsoftwaresupport.co.za
    neville@accountingsoftwaresupport.co.za
    IronTree Online Solutions

    "Give every person more in use value than you take from them in cash value."
    WALLACE WATTLES (1860-1911)

  9. Thanks given for this post:

    AmithS (06-Jan-12)

  10. #7
    Site Caretaker Dave A's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Durban, South Africa
    Posts
    22,648
    Thanks
    3,304
    Thanked 2,676 Times in 2,257 Posts
    Blog Entries
    12
    Quote Originally Posted by Neville Bailey View Post
    [Dave A, I am an IronTree dealer, so the links above are affiliate links to my dealership. Let me know if you don't want me to publish affiliate links here, and I will remove them immediately.]
    You've more than earned your stripes, Neville.

  11. #8
    Full Member thinusmj's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Roodepoort, Gauteng
    Posts
    27
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 10 Times in 6 Posts
    Singhms,

    You can also look at A-drive you get 50GB free on there basic plan http://www.adrive.com

  12. #9
    Gold Member irneb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Jhb
    Posts
    625
    Thanks
    37
    Thanked 111 Times in 97 Posts
    So to what degree is IronTree and A-Drive "secure"?

    1. Guarantee that data won't be lost? And timespan for data storage without further activity?
    2. Guarantee of password protection - i.e. no hacking?
    3. User level acces, e.g. some users allowed to add / delete / overwrite / read files?
    4. File level access? Grant user permissions per file?
    5. Secure connection - HTTPS? How many bits?
    6. Encrypted storage?
    7. Record keeping of access? Records available to whom?
    8. Guarantee of privacy from any unauthorised viewing (including the server managers as well as governmental institutions)?

    Further do these allow for WebDav / FTP / SFTP (or similar access) so one could map a drive letter to the store? Or does it come with some Desktop utility, or must it be used through a web client?

    I do like the idea of incremental uploads in IronTree! How is that accomplished? Some form of sectoring the files with a CRC for each sector - similar to Torrents? Or is a duplicate copy kept on the client machine for comparison?
    Gold is the money of kings; silver is the money of gentlemen; barter is the money of peasants; but debt is the money of slaves. - Norm Franz
    And central banks are the slave clearing houses

  13. #10
    Diamond Member Neville Bailey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Westville, Durban
    Posts
    2,760
    Thanks
    44
    Thanked 451 Times in 396 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by irneb View Post
    So to what degree is IronTree and A-Drive "secure"?

    1. Guarantee that data won't be lost? And timespan for data storage without further activity?
    2. Guarantee of password protection - i.e. no hacking?
    3. User level acces, e.g. some users allowed to add / delete / overwrite / read files?
    4. File level access? Grant user permissions per file?
    5. Secure connection - HTTPS? How many bits?
    6. Encrypted storage?
    7. Record keeping of access? Records available to whom?
    8. Guarantee of privacy from any unauthorised viewing (including the server managers as well as governmental institutions)?

    Further do these allow for WebDav / FTP / SFTP (or similar access) so one could map a drive letter to the store? Or does it come with some Desktop utility, or must it be used through a web client?

    I do like the idea of incremental uploads in IronTree! How is that accomplished? Some form of sectoring the files with a CRC for each sector - similar to Torrents? Or is a duplicate copy kept on the client machine for comparison?
    Rather than reinventing the wheel by answering your questions myself, can I suggest that you first have a look at the following links regarding IronTree:



    Hopefully most of your questions will be answered in those links.
    Neville Bailey - Sage Pastel Accounting Consultant
    www.accountingsoftwaresupport.co.za
    neville@accountingsoftwaresupport.co.za
    IronTree Online Solutions

    "Give every person more in use value than you take from them in cash value."
    WALLACE WATTLES (1860-1911)

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. how safe is your money in the bank
    By murdock in forum General Business Forum
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 17-Jun-11, 04:58 AM
  2. [Question] How safe is PayPal
    By Foxy in forum General Business Forum
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 07-Apr-11, 07:45 PM
  3. 768-bit RSA cracked, 1024-bit safe (for now)
    By twinscythe12332 in forum Technology Forum
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 11-Jan-10, 12:39 PM
  4. Have a safe Easter, everybody.
    By Dave A in forum General Chat Forum
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 09-Apr-09, 09:36 AM

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •