Show HN: Encrypt and upload files to IPFS from browser

#1

Post by tri2820 » Fri, Oct 27, 2023, 2:11 PM UTC

Hi HN, I'm building ThirdCloud with the goal to replace Google Drive for everyone: more private, cheaper & maybe better UI/UX.

So far, I've successfully implemented the main feature, which involves uploading and downloading files. Files are encrypted before being sent to IPFS network.

Would like to hear your thoughts on this proof of concept.

Show HN: Encrypt and upload files to IPFS from browser
thirdcloud.org

Re: Show HN: Encrypt and upload files to IPFS from browser

#2

Post by jqpabc123 » Fri, Oct 27, 2023, 2:42 PM UTC

Allow the user to decide if encryption should be applied to files or not.

I have files that are already encrypted.

Re: Show HN: Encrypt and upload files to IPFS from browser

#3

Post by lagniappe » Fri, Oct 27, 2023, 4:35 PM UTC

I was under the impression IPFS was a content addressing system with a p2p layer. Does ThirdCloud upload it to a pinning server?

Re: Show HN: Encrypt and upload files to IPFS from browser

#4

Post by superdug » Fri, Oct 27, 2023, 4:40 PM UTC

jqpabc123 wrote: post #2

Allow the user to decide if encryption should be applied to files or not. I have files that are already encrypted.

I’m not arguing that you don’t have a valid point nor that the feature request should be beneficial for the project to add to gain wider adoption. I know why this feature isn’t there though, because doubly encrypting something doesn’t do anything but add another layer of protection they guarantee by default, but that the computational cost of this possibly not needed protection is assumed by the provider and not the consumer. On top of which other features have obviously been added before it, with an announcement of the service with the features that differentiate it from already available and established competing services.

Re: Show HN: Encrypt and upload files to IPFS from browser

#5

Post by brocklobsta » Fri, Oct 27, 2023, 5:33 PM UTC

Neato! My main concern is reliability of this type of service. Given the boom/bust cycle of crypto I have my hesitations.

Anyway to download a file via curl? I wouldn't mind setting up a cronjob to periodically download a testfile to track the reliability over time.

Re: Show HN: Encrypt and upload files to IPFS from browser

#6

Post by ianburrell » Fri, Oct 27, 2023, 5:41 PM UTC

How is encrypted? Is it content-based encryption so files can be shared? How are the encryption keys stored?

Who is pinning the files in IPFS?

How are you planning on charging for storage? Are you going to use Filecoin?

Re: Show HN: Encrypt and upload files to IPFS from browser

#7

Post by chrisco255 » Fri, Oct 27, 2023, 5:43 PM UTC

brocklobsta wrote: post #5

Neato! My main concern is reliability of this type of service. Given the boom/bust cycle of crypto I have my hesitations. Anyway to download a file via curl? I wouldn't mind setting up a cronjob to periodically download a testfile to track the reliability over time.

Booms and busts in crypto affect the market price, not reliability. Historically, blockchains with significant adoption and robust engineering like Bitcoin and Ethereum have had 100% uptime since near inception. Filecoin is newer (think the network went live in 2019), but since this relies on IPFS, you can also just back up your files in any other way (hard drive, cloud, etc) and the IPFS protocol will pull a file from any of several pinned data sources on the network.

Re: Show HN: Encrypt and upload files to IPFS from browser

#8

Post by tri2820 » Fri, Oct 27, 2023, 5:45 PM UTC

lagniappe wrote: post #3

I was under the impression IPFS was a content addressing system with a p2p layer. Does ThirdCloud upload it to a pinning server?

Yeah, I'm uploading it through NFTStorage gateway (your files then will be pinned by many nodes on IPFS network)

Re: Show HN: Encrypt and upload files to IPFS from browser

#9

Post by tri2820 » Fri, Oct 27, 2023, 5:47 PM UTC

jqpabc123 wrote: post #2

Allow the user to decide if encryption should be applied to files or not. I have files that are already encrypted.

Sure

Re: Show HN: Encrypt and upload files to IPFS from browser

#10

Post by tri2820 » Fri, Oct 27, 2023, 5:49 PM UTC

brocklobsta wrote: post #5

Neato! My main concern is reliability of this type of service. Given the boom/bust cycle of crypto I have my hesitations. Anyway to download a file via curl? I wouldn't mind setting up a cronjob to periodically download a testfile to track the reliability over time.

I could link a helper script to download the file later