Client-side encryption

Client-side encryption is the cryptographic technique of encrypting data on the sender's side, before it is transmitted to a server such as a cloud storage service. Client-side encryption features an encryption key that is not available to the service provider, making it difficult or impossible for service providers to decrypt hosted data. Client-side encryption allows for the creation of applications whose providers cannot access the data their users have stored, thus offering a high level of privacy.

Applications utilizing client-side encryption are sometimes marketed under the misleading or incorrect term "zero-knowledge", but this is a misnomer, as the term zero-knowledge describes something entirely different in the context of cryptography.

Details

Client-side encryption seeks to eliminate the potential for data to be viewed by service providers (or third parties that compel service providers to deliver access to data), client-side encryption ensures that data and files that are stored in the cloud can only be viewed on the client-side of the exchange. This prevents data loss and the unauthorized disclosure of private or personal files, providing increased peace of mind for its users.

Implementing client-side encryption is often recommended by industry professionals to enhance the protection of sensitive information.

Examples of services that use client-side encryption by default

Examples of services that optionally support client-side encryption

Examples of services that do not support client-side encryption

Examples of client-side encrypted services that no longer exist

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Tunio Gaffer (2015). "Why Client-Side Encryption Is the Next Best Idea in Cloud-Based Data Security". Information Security Today. Auerbach Publications. Archived from the original on January 16, 2016. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Spider Oak - Please stop describing your service as "Zero Knowledge" unless and ... | Hacker News". news.ycombinator.com. Retrieved 2018-07-16.
  3. ↑ Deka, Ganesh Chandra (31 October 2014). "3 Security Architecture for Cloud Computing". Handbook of Research on Securing Cloud-Based Databases with Biometric Applications. IGI Global. ISBN 978-1-4666-6560-6. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  4. ↑ Tobias Ackermann (22 December 2012). IT Security Risk Management: Perceived IT Security Risks in the Context of Cloud Computing. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 136–. ISBN 978-3-658-01115-4. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  5. ↑ "Communications of the Association for Information Systems 13:Article 24". Cloud Computing Sicherheit: Schutzziele, Taxonomie, Marktübersicht. Fraunhofer-Institut für Sichere Informationstechnologie SIT. 2009. ISBN 978-3-9813317-0-7. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  6. ↑ "What is Tresorit". support.tresorit.com. Tresorit. 2023. Retrieved Jul 8, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Mega Security Whitepaper" (PDF). mega.nz. MEGA. 2022. p. 21. Retrieved Jul 8, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Cryptee Security". crypt.ee. Cryptee. 2024. Retrieved Jul 8, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Cryptomator Github". github.com. Cryptomator. 2024. Retrieved Jul 8, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Apple advances user security with powerful new data protections". apple.com. Apple. 2022. Retrieved Jul 8, 2024.
  11. ↑ "How to Enable Advanced Data Protection on iOS, and Why You Should". eff.org. EFF. 2023. Retrieved Jul 8, 2024.
  12. 1 2 "Client-side encryption and strengthened collaboration in Google Workspace". workspaceupdates.googleblog.com. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  13. 1 2 3 "Client-side encryption for Gmail available in beta". workspaceupdates.googleblog.com. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  14. ↑ "About client-side encryption". apps.google.com. Retrieved Jul 8, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Can I specify my own private key for my Dropbox?". dropbox.com. Retrieved Jul 8, 2024.
  16. ↑ "SpiderOak Cross Clave". crossclave.com. SpiderOak Cross Clave. 2024. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved Jul 8, 2024.