Sharing files in a safe way

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matthijs
DevNet Master
Posts: 3360
Joined: Thu Oct 06, 2005 3:57 pm

Sharing files in a safe way

Post by matthijs »

Quite often clients for whom I build websites nowadays want a feature on their website to share documents privately. A kind of intranet functionality. Because it's only this relatively simple feature, it's not needed to build a complete intranet. You'd say that a basic upload/download feature, protected by a login they can share, would be enough. Not too difficult to build in PHP.

However, I wonder if there are better, more secure options. Building this on their public website, most often:
- the website itself runs on an open source cms with all it's potential security vulnerabilities
- website plugins, the same
- files will be on a shared server, more risks
- lost/stolen passwords
etc

Maybe something completely different would be better, like using GoogleDocs with documents set to private or something. What do you think?
alex.barylski
DevNet Evangelist
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Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2004 5:00 pm
Location: Winnipeg

Re: Sharing files in a safe way

Post by alex.barylski »

If they all reside within the same LAN, then why not shared folders/Samba?

If they need Internet access to shared folders, than consider maybe using WebDAV. Lastly if WebDAV is not possible, there are many file sharing services, such as DropBox which you might consider signing them up for - unsure about the password/ac though I think they just deliver a link in a very random way which is intended to be emailed to a single user - then again you should ask DropBox themselves what they offer i'm sure they could answer best.

Cheers,
Alex
Charles256
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Posts: 1375
Joined: Fri Sep 16, 2005 9:06 pm

Re: Sharing files in a safe way

Post by Charles256 »

If they don't mind shelling out a small monthly fee this is what I use: http://www.egnyte.com/corp/business_pla ... icing.html It allows us to share files with clients and restrict who sees what easily. We're on the $99 a month plan. Their customer support is absolutely horrible though so be sure to try the trial and make sure you feel comfortable because if you can't figure something out, tough. At least, that's been my experience. Thankfully, it's no harder than using Windows.
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McInfo
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Re: Sharing files in a safe way

Post by McInfo »

The best advice I can offer is to use client-side encryption so the files can't be read by anyone who isn't allowed. Steve Gibson calls it "Pre-Internet Encryption".
matthijs
DevNet Master
Posts: 3360
Joined: Thu Oct 06, 2005 3:57 pm

Re: Sharing files in a safe way

Post by matthijs »

Thanks for all the tips so far. Lots of good things to look into.
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