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Rate my startup: SafeboxApp.com

10 points by denishennessy ↗ HN
While the level of security on Dropbox and other cloud storage services are fine for most things, I wanted a way to store some files there that _only_ I could access. I could switch to a provider that had stronger privacy features but I really love Dropbox's convenience and simplicity. So, I built a solution:

http://safeboxapp.com

The app takes files it finds in ~/Safebox and encrypts them using AES-256 and stores the files in a subfolder of ~/Dropbox. When it sees new encrypted files in that folder, it decrypts them back to ~/Safebox. From then on, changes in either folder are automatically synchronized. The filenames and folder names are encrypted as well.

From a user perspective, you simply use ~/Safebox instead of ~/Dropbox for files requiring extra security.

It's packaged as a Mac OS/X app (and soon as a Windows app). We haven't decided pricing yet.

I'd love to hear your thoughts!!

Thanks, Denis

http://safeboxapp.com

11 comments

[ 3.7 ms ] story [ 31.5 ms ] thread
pcharles
Great idea. Especially with the 'issues' of security with Dropbox released within the last few months.
hechtic
I like it, might use it.

From a pricing perspective, I think your market might be limited in that companies needing security would probably purchase a separate solution and not use Dropbox.

But you might be able to get a revenue stream from prosumers / tech consumers. And your costs wouldn't be high since you ride on top of the dropbox service. And I could be wrong about the market of course. ;-)

grzaks
The problem is real, you are not the only person on the Earth that needs a solution, but ...

Aren't you worried that it takes few weeks(days?) of coding for dropbox team and one update for your solution to become obsolete?

denishennessy
I agree that it's a risk, but they haven't done it so far. Even if they did, Safebox might still be useful for people using other cloud storage providers (or even corporate file shares).
grzaks
Well, if you did not quit your job to do this project and did not spend all your savings on it - the risk might be worth it. Good luck! :)
tobylane
Is it possible for Dropbox to update in any way that could let them read it? I'm not sure what you're worried about.
grzaks
The answer to your question is: no, it's not possible. I was rather thinking about dropbox implementing the same feature directly to dropbox. If they do, there would be no point in using denishennessy's product.
manasnutcase
"Aren't you worried that it takes few weeks(days?) of coding for dropbox team and one update for your solution to become obsolete?" Wouldnt this logic apply to every project? What if Google Docs just builds a dropbox type app on top of it? Google certainly had more resources and superb tech talent. I think all companies have their focus and are already very busy getting their product right. If you think there is a need for which you have the right solution - build it. Who knows - Dropbox might just buy you out.
gzapico
The concept seems quite interesting and useful. The real problem, as others stated, is that maybe Dropbox will implement something like that quite soon. As for pricing I think you should charge less than the same amount of space is charges at Dropbox.

Anyway, congrats for your great project. And sorry for my english.

manasnutcase
Denis, I love the site. Its both useful and well designed. You might like to check out Bitcasa. Manas