Mozilla launches its free encrypted file sharing service, Firefox Send – TechCrunch



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Firefox Send, the free and encrypted file transfer service from Mozilla, is officially launched to the public today, after its first pilot test experience in August 2017. This service allows web users to share files from one computer to another. a maximum size of 2.5 GB via the browser. , while protecting them with end-to-end encryption and a link that automatically expires to preserve the confidentiality of shared files.

When Mozilla started testing the web upload tool, file shares were limited to 1GB. Today, this remains the limit until users open a free Firefox account. They can then choose to share files up to 2.5 GB.

The system offers an alternative to e-mail, where large attachments are more of a problem, as well as cloud storage sites, such as Google Drive and Dropbox, which can be time consuming when you only need To share a file time – do not store the file, edit it or collaborate with others.

To use the service, the sender goes to the Send website, downloads the files and sets an expiration period – a design choice apparently inspired by Snapchat and its ephemeral concepts. You can also choose to protect files with a password before sending them.

Firefox Send then offers a link that you can give to the recipient as you see fit, just click to start the download. They will not need their own Firefox account to access the files, notes Mozilla.

The organization suggests that the new tool can be used to move files on the Web that you otherwise fear to share, such as financial information, for example.

However, security experts will continue to warn against the use of any tool to share highly sensitive files via an online service, because it is always possible that a problem may occur in case of unauthorized access.

That said, Mozilla is one of the most trusted organizations in this kind of situation. Sending, he says, is "private by design," which means that all files are protected. He designed Firefox accounts so that users never send their passphrase to Firefox, for example. He also says that he is sticking to his mission of "managing your data privately and securely," Mozilla wrote today. That says more about the ethics of the organization, which considers that privacy is a fundamental right.

Nevertheless, security experts must test the systems before validating their reliability. As Send is only this morning its debut in its official public version, it has not been done yet.

The new tool could help Firefox attract a new audience to its web tools and services. Firefox was once a prominent web browser and a well-known name, but its market share has shrunk over the years, as integrated options from larger technology companies grew – like IE, Safari, and Chrome. However, in the face of growing technology suspicion, overly frequent data breaches, and the general degradation of online privacy, this is the best time for Firefox to attempt a strong comeback. Whether it is really able to deliver is another matter.

Firefox Send is launched today on the web at send.firefox.com and will be available as an Android application in beta later this week.

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