On Tuesday, we interviewed Christian Schmickler – his software Crpytomator offers an easy and open source way for ownCloud users to end-to-end-encrypt their files client-side. We show how to set this up with your ownCloud sync client. Both cryptomator and our sync client are available for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android and iOS, of course.
If you have questions, what end-to-end-encryption is, and why it’s so important: since Edward Snowden revealed the NSA mass surveillance of the whole internet (i.e. everything) in 2013, we all have to protect us against espionage. Other threats against the secrecy of your data are hackers and admins, which you maybe don’t want to trust with all of your data.
In 2013, the whistleblower and hero Edward Snowden revealed the extent of mass surveillance to the global public.
End-to-end encryption protects you against some of these threats; especially against admins. Your data is then stored encrypted in the ownCloud and gets only decrypted on your client devices, i.e. your phone or PC. This does not protect you, if someone hacks your client device – then they may be able to intercept your passphrase too. But it is already a big step towards protection of your data.
If you want more advice how to protect your privacy, let Snowden explain it himself. It is not rocket science!
Here is a short and easy to follow step-by-step guide to set up cryptomator:
Step 0: Install the ownCloud Desktop Client
If you have not yet done it, install and set up the ownCloud Desktop client. You can get it at our Download page. After installation, add your ownCloud account and choose a folder, which will contain your synced cloud data.
Step 1: Install Cryptomator.
You can download it from their website for free. Think about leaving them a donation, so they can continue making great Open Source software.
Step 2: Create an encrypted vault
Click on the + to create a vault, choose a location inside your sync folder to save it and Pick a strong passphrase.
After you created it at the plus symbol, pick a strong passphrase for your vault.
Step 3: Access your encrypted vault
To save your data in the encrypted vault, and to use it later, you need to unlock it. Enter your passphrase and press unlock.
The vault is now mounted into your file system, you can access it in your file manager. All data you put in there is safe!
Unlock your vault to access your encrypted files.
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