Boxcryptor

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Boxcryptor
Basic data

developer Secomba GmbH
Current  version 2.37.1057 ( Windows )
2019-10-24

2.32.1010 ( macOS )
2019-12-16

2.93.786 ( Android )
2020-01-14

2.44.853 ( iOS )
2019-12-11

1.0.63 ( Blackberry )
July 13, 2017

operating system Windows , Windows RT , macOS , Android , iOS , Blackberry , Windows Phone , Windows 10 Mobile
category Encryption ,
synchronization
License proprietary
German speaking Yes
boxcryptor.com

Boxcryptor is software for file encryption, especially for synchronization with a large number of cloud storage devices.

Intended use

Backing up files is not a trivial matter if it is to protect against disk failure and incorrect operation as well as against virus attack, theft, vandalism or fire. This is why companies offer storage on their servers, also called "cloud storage". Files can be archived there - optionally in different processing statuses - without manual intervention. Without special encryption , the file contents can be read or even changed by strangers at the server operator. In order to avoid this, programs were developed that encrypt and decrypt files before and after they are transmitted on the Internet - such as Boxcryptor. This was first published on August 5, 2011 in the Dropbox forum. After this prototype had been downloaded over 1,000 times within a week, the idea for a start-up emerged.

In particular, since Edward Snowden published details of monitoring efforts against the provider Dropbox , the number of Boxcryptor users rose by 40% in August 2013 compared to the previous month, and the number of company packages sold by as much as 60%.

Business model

The freemium business model is based on the sale of proprietary software licenses . The version available free of charge is the basic product. Regular fees have to be paid for extended performance features as well as commercial use. In corporate package are other features such as a company key, the two-factor authentication integrated and the possibility of establishing usage policies.

Versions

The original Boxcryptor version, boxcryptor Classic , has since been discontinued and is no longer supported. Unlike the Classic version, Boxcryptor does not save the contents of the encrypted folder in the root directory of the virtual drive , but in a folder in it. If you encrypt several folders, Boxcryptor 2 no longer integrates a separate virtual drive for each. These appear as additional folders in the root directory of what is now the only virtual drive. The encryption must be activated manually via the context menu . If it is activated for a folder, the entire content is encrypted. Therefore, the virtual drive can contain encrypted and unencrypted files. An online account can be set up for Boxcryptor 2 and several people can be grouped together. For this purpose, a key is generated in the Boxcryptor client , which is encrypted with the user password and sent to the Secomba GmbH key server.

Conditions of use

Boxcryptor runs on Windows , Windows RT , macOS , Android , iOS , Blackberry , Windows Phone , Windows 10 Mobile and with Google Chrome (as a plug-in ). The Android app supports SD cards as storage.

Functions

Various providers offer online data storage for data backup and file synchronization between multiple devices . The data exchange from and to these cloud storage systems is unencrypted. In order to avoid unauthorized reading or manipulation of these files, Secomba GmbH offers different versions of its boxcryptor software.

Boxcryptor creates a virtual drive in the local computer. Every file that is saved here in an encrypted folder is automatically encrypted in the background and stored in a selectable destination folder. Boxcryptor encrypts the files individually and, unlike TrueCrypt , does not create any containers. The file names remain legible in plain text in the free version. The file system used is compatible with EncFS .

Supported cloud storage

Since a large number of companies have now adopted the Dropbox business model, the Boxcryptor software serves the interfaces of the cloud storage systems from Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Box, SugarSync, Telekom Cloud, TrendMicro SafeSync, Strato HiDrive, GMX MediaCenter, Web. de Smartdrive, CloudMe, Cubby, Livedrive, Yandex Disk, CloudSafe, Filespots and SpiderOak. In addition, all cloud storage systems that offer the WebDAV protocol are supported.

Portable client

Boxcryptor also offers a portable client for Windows. The program then does not need to be installed, but can be started directly from a USB stick , for example.

Whisply integration

On December 1st, Secomba GmbH released another product besides Boxcryptor. With Whisply one is web application for encrypted data transfer offered. Whisply has been integrated into Boxcryptor since July 7, 2016.

safety

Boxcryptor uses the encryption algorithms AES -256 and RSA -4096.

alternative

The Cryptomator program offers similar software with a smaller range of functions and without native integration of many cloud storage systems. It is also available for multiple operating systems, including mobile devices. In contrast to Boxcryptor, it is open source.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Current versions for Windows and macOS. In: boxcryptor.com. Retrieved October 24, 2019 .
  2. ↑ Installation page for Android. In: Google Play . Retrieved January 14, 2020 .
  3. ↑ Preview page for iOS. In: App Store (iOS) . Retrieved December 11, 2019 .
  4. ↑ Installation page for Blackberry. In: Blackberry World . Retrieved July 28, 2017 .
  5. ↑ Jens Tönnesmann: Founder's Diary. Report by Secomba founder Andrea Pfundmeier in three parts. In: Wirtschaftswoche . November 8, 2013, accessed February 14, 2016 .
  6. ↑ Torsten Paßmann: Nine questions for Andrea Wittek from BoxCryptor. In: vc-magazin.de. March 7, 2013, accessed April 30, 2017 .
  7. ↑ Boxcryptor for teams. In: Heise online . Retrieved September 22, 2017 .
  8. ↑ Axel Vahldiek: Boxcryptor 2 with group functions and a new license model. In: Heise online . June 6, 2013, accessed February 14, 2016 .
  9. ↑ Installation page for Windows 10 Mobile and Windows Phone. In: Windows Store . Retrieved September 24, 2017 .
  10. ↑ Prices and Features. Retrieved May 25, 2019 .
  11. ↑ Whisply site. Retrieved July 20, 2016 .
  12. ↑ Whisply integration. Whisply Release and Boxcryptor Update - Boxcryptor gets reinforcements. July 7, 2016, accessed July 20, 2016 .
  13. ↑ The most important technical questions about Boxcryptor. In: boxcryptor.com. Retrieved February 14, 2016 .
  14. ↑ Cryptomator website. Retrieved October 28, 2018 .
  15. ↑ Ben Schwan: Cryptomator: competitor for Boxcryptor. In: Heise Online. March 14, 2016, accessed May 16, 2017 .