拥有超过 1.8 亿用户帐户、15GB 到 50GB 的免费云存储(free cloud storage)和端到端加密,为什么MEGA还不是家喻户晓的名字(household name)?为什么不将它们与Microsoft OneDrive(Microsoft OneDrive)、Apple iCloud或 Google Drive 相提并论?
我们将回顾MEGA Cloud Storage、MEGA提供的内容以及它可能适合您的原因。
什么是 MEGA 云存储?(What Is MEGA Cloud Storage?)
如果您不确定云是什么,请阅读我们的文章“什么是云以及如何充分利用它?(What is The Cloud and How To Get The Most Out Of It?)”然后回来。
MEGA是一家位于新西兰(New Zealand)的公司,提供免费、免费增值和付费的云存储(cloud storage)服务。就像Microsoft 的 OneDrive(Microsoft’s OneDrive )或Google Drive一样,MEGA在其服务器上提供空间来存储您的文件副本。
MEGA 云存储如何工作?(How Does MEGA Cloud Storage Work?)
注册MEGA 帐户(MEGA account)就像注册任何其他在线服务一样容易。确认帐户后,您可以在计算机上下载并安装客户端应用程序(client app),并告诉它要同步哪些文件夹。
他们为您能想到的每个平台提供了一个应用程序;iOS、Android、Windows甚至Linux。该应用程序将确保您的文件在云中具有精确的副本。
当您在计算机上本地更改文件时,这些更改将同步到您的MEGA 云(MEGA cloud)存储中的文件。
MEGA和其他有什么区别?(What’s The Difference Between MEGA And Others?)
您会注意到的第一个区别是MEGA提供高达 50GB 的免费云存储(cloud storage)。但是旁边有一个大星号。您将获得的基本金额(base amount)仍然是慷慨的 15GB,而大多数其他云服务仅免费提供 5GB。也许最大的不同是MEGA对数据安全(data security)的重视。
MEGA 的安全性如何?(How Secure Is MEGA?)
所有的安全都需要对提供它的人有一定的信任。由于其创始人Kim Dotcom(Kim Dotcom)和他的功绩,MEGA的历史摇摇欲坠。最初的MEGA被称为MEGAUpload,以一种有争议的方式被美国政府以侵犯版权、洗钱(money laundering)、敲诈勒索和电汇欺诈(wire fraud)的罪名取缔。Kim参与了MEGA的复活,但此后不久就被剥夺了所有参与。
这段历史仍然给MEGA(MEGA)云存储的安全性蒙上了一层怀疑的阴影。尽管参与旧MEGA Upload 的一些人仍在运行MEGA ,但他们是在(MEGA)新西兰政府的更大(New Zealand government)合作和监督(cooperation and oversight)下这样做的。MEGA在全球范围内遵守欧盟的通用数据保护条例(General Data Protection Regulation)( GDPR ),而不仅仅是在欧盟国家。
这对于将新的MEGA与其更阴暗的祖先(shadier ancestor)MEGAUpload 区分开(MEGAUpload)来大有帮助。但是实际的数据安全呢?
MEGA对所有数据传输使用128 位 AES 加密。(128-bit AES encryption)MEGASync 应用程序(MEGASync application)在您的数据离开或进入您的计算机时对其进行加密和解密。存储在新西兰(New Zealand and servers)物理安全(physically secure)设施和服务器上的所有数据都以相同的方式加密, MEGA无法查看,因为它在上传之前已在用户设备上加密。您的MEGA 数据(MEGA data)的加密密钥(encryption key)仅由您持有。
OneDrive 和 Google Drive(OneDrive and Google Drive)上的文件只有在您在上传之前对其进行加密时才会加密。他们的同步应用程序只是同步数据。Apple对其设备和 iCloud 之间的数据进行了端到端加密,但Apple确实拥有其 iCloud 上任何内容的密钥。这意味着(Meaning),Apple可以解密您的文件。
MEGA还使您能够使用 2 因素身份验证 (2FA)。使用Google Authenticator、Microsoft Authenticator、Duo Mobile 或Authy等身份验证器应用程序(authenticator app),您将获得一个轮换的 6 位数代码。每次登录MEGA时,您都会输入密码以及当时的 6 位数代码。
MEGA更进一步。元数据(Metadata)是真正的安全风险(security risk)。使用元数据,一个人可以找到很多关于您和您的活动的信息,即使它不包含个人信息。MEGA为您提供在注销时删除所有本地元数据的选项。在这一点上,这几乎是最安全的。
MEGA的免费帐户真正包括什么?(What Does MEGA’s Free Account Really Include?)
要获得完整的 50GB MEGA云存储,您必须完成一系列成就。这些都是简单的事情,例如下载和安装同步客户端(sync client)、安装MEGA 移动(MEGA mobile)应用程序以及让朋友注册MEGA。
奖金空间(bonus space)和转移限制也是有时间限制的。现在,注册后您将获得 35GB 的存储空间奖励(storage bonus),但它会在 30 天后到期。安装MEGASync 应用程序(MEGASync app)和移动应用程序的奖金将在 180 天后到期。(app expire)好友注册获得的奖金将在 365 天后到期。
需要注意的另一件事是数据传输也受到限制。您每月使用MEGA上传和下载的数量是有限的。有了成就来赚取存储,您还可以获得更高的转账限额(transfer limit)。
MEGA 服务(MEGA service)还附带MEGAchat 。(MEGAchat)MEGAchat是一个文本、语音和视频消息应用程序(video messaging app),它使用与数据加密相同的端到端加密。它的功能类似于Signal 安全消息传递应用程序(Signal secure messaging app)。
MEGA值得使用吗?(Is MEGA Worth Using?)
是的。该服务与其他任何服务一样易于使用,但更安全。对于敏感数据的安全云(secure cloud)备份,MEGA几乎是免费的。
付费版本价格合理,可将您分配的安全存储(secure storage)扩展到 400GB 到 16TB 之间。如果在云中加密文件对您很重要,您需要查看MEGA云存储。请注意传输配额。
MEGA Cloud Storage Review: Get Free Storage And More
With over 180 million user accounts, 15GB to 50GB free cloud storage, and end-to-end encryption why isn’t MEGA a household name yet? Why aren’t they mentioned in the same breath as Microsoft OneDrive, Apple iCloud, or Google Drive?
We’re going to review MEGA Cloud Storage, what MEGA offers, and why it may be for you.
What Is MEGA Cloud Storage?
If you’re not sure what the cloud is, read our article, “What is The Cloud and How To Get The Most Out Of It?” and then come back.
MEGA is a company located in New Zealand that provides free, freemium, and paid cloud storage services. Just like Microsoft’s OneDrive or Google Drive, MEGA provides space on their servers to store copies of your files.
How Does MEGA Cloud Storage Work?
It’s as easy to sign up for a MEGA account as it is to sign up for any other online service. Once you’ve confirmed your account, you download and install a client app on your computer and tell it what folders to sync.
They have an app for every platform you can think of; iOS, Android, Windows, and even Linux. The app will make sure that your files have an exact copy in the cloud.
As you make changes to files locally on your computer, those changes will synchronize to the files in your MEGA cloud storage.
What’s The Difference Between MEGA And Others?
The first difference you’ll notice is that MEGA offers up to 50GB of free cloud storage. But there is a big asterisk next to that. The base amount you’ll get is still a generous 15GB whereas most other cloud services only offer 5GB for free. Perhaps the biggest difference is MEGA’s emphasis on data security.
How Secure Is MEGA?
All security requires some trust in those providing it. MEGA has a shaky history due to its founder Kim Dotcom and his exploits. The original MEGA, known as MEGAUpload, was taken down by the US government in a controversial manner on charges of copyright infringement, money laundering, racketeering, and wire fraud. Kim was involved in the resurrection of MEGA, but was divested of all involvement shortly thereafter.
That history still casts a shadow of doubt over the security of MEGA cloud storage. Although some of the people involved in the old MEGAUpload are still running MEGA, they are doing so with greater cooperation and oversight by the New Zealand government. MEGA operates in compliance with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) globally, not just in EU countries.
That goes a long way in separating the new MEGA from its shadier ancestor, MEGAUpload. But what about actual data security?
MEGA uses 128-bit AES encryption on all data transfers. The MEGASync application encrypts and decrypts your data as it leaves or enters your computer. All data stored on their physically secure facilities in New Zealand and servers are encrypted in the same way and cannot be viewed by MEGA as it is encrypted at the user’s device before it is uploaded. The encryption key to your MEGA data is only held by you.
Files on OneDrive and Google Drive are only encrypted if you encrypt them before uploading. Their sync apps just sync data. Apple has end-to-end encryption on data between its devices and iCloud, but Apple does hold the keys for anything on their iCloud. Meaning, Apple can decrypt your files.
MEGA also gives you the ability to use 2-factor authentication (2FA). Using an authenticator app like Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, Duo Mobile, or Authy you’ll get a rotating 6 digit code. Every time you sign in to MEGA you enter your password and whatever the 6-digit code is at that time.
MEGA goes a little bit further still. Metadata is a real security risk. Using metadata a person can find out a lot about you and your activities even though it doesn’t continue personal information. MEGA gives you the option to delete all local metadata when you log out. At this point, that’s about as secure as anything gets.
What Does MEGA’s Free Account Really Include?
To get the full 50GB of MEGA cloud storage you must complete a series of achievements. These are simple things, like downloading and installing the sync client, install the MEGA mobile app, and have friends sign up for MEGA.
The bonus space and transfer limits are also time-limited. Right now, you’ll get a 35GB storage bonus for signing up, but it expires in 30 days. The bonuses for installing the MEGASync app and mobile app expire after 180 days. Bonuses earned by friends signing up expire after 365 days.
The other thing to keep an eye on is that the data transfers are limited as well. How much you upload and download with MEGA is limited per month. With the achievements to earn storage, you also earn a higher transfer limit.
The MEGA service also comes with MEGAchat. MEGAchat is a text, voice, and video messaging app that utilizes the same end-to-end encryption as their data encryption. It functions in a manner similar to the Signal secure messaging app.
Is MEGA Worth Using?
Yes. The service is as easy to use as any other but more secure. For secure cloud back up of sensitive data, for free, MEGA is pretty much it.
The paid versions are reasonably priced and expand your allotments to between 400GB and 16TB of secure storage. If having your files encrypted in the cloud is important to you, you need to check out MEGA cloud storage. Just be aware of the transfer quotas.