SpiderOak
 | |
|
SpiderOak 3.5 under Mac OS X | |
| Developer(s) | SpiderOak |
|---|---|
| Initial release | December 2007 |
| Stable release | 5.2.0 / April 7, 2015 |
| Development status | Active |
| Written in | Python/Qt |
| Operating system | Windows, Linux, Android, Mac OS X, iOS |
| Available in | English |
| Type | Online backup service |
| License | Proprietary and GPLv3 (for some tools) |
| Website | spideroak.com |
SpiderOak is an American[1] online backup and file hosting service that allows users to access, synchronize and share[2] data using a cloud-based server. SpiderOak is accessible through an app for Windows, Mac and Linux computer platforms, and Android, N900 Maemo and iOS mobile platforms.[3] SpiderOak allows users to back up any given folder on their computer. According to SpiderOak, the software uses encrypted cloud storage and client-side encryption key creation, so SpiderOak employees cannot access users' information. Some components of SpiderOak are open-source, and as early as 2009 the company announced their intent for the client to be fully open-source in the future.[4] As of 2015, SpiderOak's source code is not available.[5]
SpiderOak distinguishes itself from its competition in provision of encryption,[6] in provision for syncing files and folders across multiple devices, and in automatic de-duplication of data.[7] SpiderOak offers free accounts to users who do not exceed a maximum size, and premium accounts for a monthly fee. SpiderOak also offers referral discounts.[8][9]
SpiderOak was rated "Awesome" by MacLife magazine in 2009[10] and also was made an Editor's Choice by Computer Shopper magazine in May 2009.[11] In a July 2014 interview, former NSA contractor Edward Snowden recommended SpiderOak over Dropbox, citing its better protection against government surveillance.[12]
History
SpiderOak was founded in 2007 by Ethan Oberman and Alan Fairless as a zero knowledge private backup program.[13] In 2013, SpiderOak began developing Crypton, "a JavaScript framework for building applications where the server doesn't know the contents it's storing on behalf of users."[14] Crypton is an Open Source project allowing developers to easily add encryption security to mobile applications.[14] By mid-2014, SpiderOak neared 1 million users.
SpiderOak is headquartered in Chicago and currently employs 42 staff, headed by CEO Ethan Oberman.[12] In 2013, SpiderOak opened offices in San Francisco and Kansas City, and hires remote employees inside and outside of the US.[15][16]
Main features
Main features comprise:
- All data accessible in one de-duplicated location
- Configurable multi-platform synchronization
- Preserve all historical versions and deleted files
- Share folders in web ShareRooms with RSS notifications[3]
- Retrieve files from any internet-connected device
- Claimed "zero-knowledge" data encryption if you only use the desktop client, that is, no sharing, web-access, or mobile access.[17] This claim, however, cannot be confirmed due to the client being closed source[18]
- Unlimited devices[19]
- A layered approach to encryption, using a combination of 2048-bit RSA and 256-bit AES[4]
See also
- Comparison of file hosting services
- Comparison of file synchronization software
- Comparison of online backup services
- File synchronization
References
- ↑ "SpiderOak Service Agreement". SpiderOak. Retrieved 2013-06-09.
- ↑ SpiderOak. "Spideroak Service Description". SpiderOak. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "SpiderOak Review: Cloud Storage reviews at". Nextadvisor.com. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Spideroak: Engineering Matters". SpiderOak. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
- ↑ "Why isn't SpiderOak open source yet? When will it be?".
- ↑ "SpiderOak: Dropbox for the security obsessive".
The chief difference between SpiderOak and its competitors for the security and privacy-conscious is in how the services treat user data.
- ↑ Carla Schroder (2009-01-22). "Spideroak: Secure Offsite Backups for Linux". LinuxPlanet. Retrieved 2009-02-26.
- ↑ "Pricing". SpiderOak.
- ↑ "Refer-a-Friend". SpiderOak.
- ↑ Susie Ochs (2009-06-11). "Online Storage Battle: Which Cloud Back-Up Service Reigns Supreme?". MacLife. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
- ↑ Haley, Fiona (2009-05-05). "SpiderOak 3.0 Review". Computer Shopper.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Yadron, Danny; MacMillan, Douglas (2014-07-14). "Snowden Says Drop Dropbox, Use SpiderOak". WSJ.com Digits (The Wall Street Journal). Retrieved 1 September 2014.
- ↑ "About SpiderOak".
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 "About Crypton".
- ↑ "SpiderOak Grows Enterprise Revenue 300%, Doubles Headcount". SpiderOak. December 10, 2013.
- ↑ "Chris Cooley shares how SpiderOak’s distributed team works". Silicon Prairie News. August 29, 2014.
- ↑ "How do I use the SpiderOak Web API?". SpiderOak FAQs. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
- ↑ "SpiderOak to Become OSS & More: What to Expect From Us in 2014 (PART I)". The Spideroak Blog. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
- ↑ "Spideroak: Free Online Backup, File and Folder Sync, Share & Storage for Windows, Mac, and Linux – SpiderOak.com". SpiderOak. Retrieved 2009-11-04.