Encrypting Data in Cloud Storage

Encrypting Data in Cloud Storage

There are three ways to encrypt data in cloud storage that I would like to highlight in this article. The first is to encrypt the data yourself on your computer, for example using VeraCrypt, and then upload it to the cloud.

This is how I make backups. I gather all the data into one folder, archive it, and create a cryptographic container of the required size, into which I move the archive, and then I upload the cryptographic container to the cloud. In the name of the cryptographic container, I briefly indicate the contents and the date, for example, proekt_april2019.

At the same time, I upload the cryptographic container with the backup to an external hard drive: after all, one should not overestimate the security of cloud storage. In this chapter, there were examples where data from cloud storage was irretrievably deleted without the owner's consent. And if you need an even more reliable level of storage, I suggest getting acquainted with the chapter on secret data storage.

But let's return to the cloud. Even if someone gains access to it, they will find nothing but encrypted files. But what to do when there are many files and they need to be uploaded regularly? The second way is the Mega service application (or any similar service). As I mentioned earlier, the application has open-source code and encrypts data before sending it to the servers. Many of my colleagues believe that Mega solves all tasks and is the ideal option in terms of security and convenience.

I tend to agree that for the average user, this is the optimal option; however, if you want to work with other storage solutions, you need to use an independent solution, and such a solution exists. The third way is Boxcryptor. It uses encryption similar to TrueCrypt, encrypting data on the device and then sending it to the cloud in encrypted form.

In the cloud, there are securely encrypted files, so access to the cloud by a third party, whether it be a hacker or a law enforcement representative who obtained the data through an official request, will not allow them to access the contents of the files.

The main advantage of Boxcryptor is the support for all popular cloud storage services, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, Box, Amazon, iCloud Drive, Yandex.Disk, mail.ru. It supports all popular platforms, including mobile operating systems iOS and Android.