This is a text automatically translated from Italian. If you appreciate our work and if you like reading it in your language, consider a donation to allow us to continue doing it and improving it.
Content index
We're talking to you today about Cubbit, a distributed system for managing your files online that has always fascinated us in some way. The key points of Cubbit are: There is no central server where the files and encryption reside zero knowledge does not allow Nobody to access your data in any way other than you.
Let's now see how it works, what its strengths and weaknesses are and why we decided to talk about it. In case you were wondering: no, this is not a sponsored article. However, we had the opportunity to try their cloud system for free for a month and they were always very helpful in answering questions asked.
Cubbit it's an entirely Italian idea 1 which obtained a lot of funds from crowdfunding: over 400 thousand euros Kickstarter 2 and over 1 million euros on Indiegogo 3. In addition to this it has also recently received other forms of investments 4.
How does Cubbit work?
The functioning of this cloud is very interesting and for this reason it particularly intrigued us. We will try to explain it to you, as always, in a simple way. On Cubbit there is no type of central server that manages the data. The data from your hard disk comes chopped up, encrypted and subsequently sent to all the others Cubbit Cell connected to the network.
Therefore purchasing a Cubbit Cell the system will be very similar to buying a personal NAS with the main difference that you won't have to worry about backup. In fact, your data will not be lost distributed across all other cells. The advantages therefore are: with an initial cost (more expensive than a normal NAS) and without any monthly subscription you will have a private cloud with encrypted backup and distributed throughout the world.
What is a NAS? A NAS is a smart device that can be used to store your data, documents and photos independently without going through online clouds. For more info, you can read here.
No, blockchain has nothing to do with it
When we heard about Cubbit for the first time he had left us with some doubts. In fact, it looked like one of many products magical (pass the term to us) which exploited the blockchain more or less uselessly. There blockchain it is in fact often used as Excuse me to create things that normally wouldn't need them. A bit like them certified news from ANSA, in order to understand each other. A solution often unnecessarily abused more for fashion than anything else.
Blockchain, a term you will surely have already heard of, is a shared and immutable data structure whose integrity is guaranteed by the use of cryptography 5. Cryptocurrencies, how Bitcoin, use this control system to ensure the tracking of any operation.
Cubbit instead it does not use a blockchain structure 6 but a network peer to peer, so let's talk about cloud storage with distributed zero knowledge encryption.
In concrete terms it means that it will be enough buy a Cubbit Cell (which is, after all, a hard drive) from their site and attach it to your home network. From this moment you can upload the files you want and view it wherever you are thanks to software for Windows, iOS And Linux or Street Browsers.
Private and distributed cloud
It seems like a smart way to have a secure cloud And private. Without the use of central servers (and therefore environmentally friendly) without the risk of losing your data. In this regard there is one clause, we believe it was inserted to prevent anyone from making fraudulent use of the network: if you don't connect yours Cubbit Cell for more than 30 days your files may no longer be recoverable. We believe this serves to prevent someone from buying it, loading 1TB onto it and then disconnecting it from the network: if everyone did this the system CubbitIn fact, it couldn't work.
If you're turning up your nose a little: we believe that Cubbit is designed for those who already use a cloud and doesn't want to think about anything else such as backups or various installations. We don't think the target of Cubbit and those who already have one Synology or a Raspberry on which he installed Nextcloud.
Cubbit features and weaknesses
Cubbit so it's easy, convenient and safe. You can also connect an unused hard disk of yours to the Cubbit Cell to receive free online space. In practice, if you have a 1TB hard disk you can attach it to yours Cubbit Cell (to make the whole network use it Cubbit) and you will be given 512 GB in the cloud as a gift.
The major defects we found are mainly due to the fact that the web version is still in beta phase, as we were told. In fact, the desktop software is the classic simple synchronization software and works reasonably well.
The web part, however, is still a bit incomplete and shows some defects: the files .odt they can only be downloaded and not viewed. Ditto for audio and video files. Text files .txt, however, they can also be opened and read online. The sharing limit is for folders with only 50 files and the upload speed is not particularly high-performance (not excessively slow, though). Some of these flaws such as speed and sharing limit will soon be eliminated as it is explicitly mentioned when you access the application 7.
Too bad for Google Analytics too
What hurt us the most, in reality, was seeing the code used both on the site and on their web application Google Analytics for statistics instead of some alternatives. Unfortunately we are not there on this front: if the idea is to target those who are attentive to privacy by offering encrypted services You cannot offer a product with Google Analytics inside. Although we have been assured that only events are tracked and not metadata or other sensitive data, please enter Google it is definitely not a good idea if you want to intercept those who are attempting to de-google it. So let's hope sooner or later they move on Matomo or other solutions that are more respectful of user privacy.
The other part that we hope to see improved over the years is the openness toOpen source. For now in their FAQ they say that they progressively want to release parts of their software in open code 8 and they have already done it with the core cryptographic of Cubbit called Enigma 9.
There are no smartphone applications yet, neither for Android nor for iPhone. In their FAQ it says that they are preparing it for 2021 10, you can still open the Browsers and use it as WebApp wherever you are. As you know we are not huge fans of applications, the most important thing in our opinion is functional access via the web.
Cubbit and the Business version
Despite these defects, however, in our opinion it is a valid product, very interesting and certainly worth following to see how it evolves. There is also one on the site Business version (valid only for those with a VAT number) to buy space in the cloud at a monthly cost without therefore making the initial purchase of the cell. The prices are interesting because we are talking about €6 per month per user for 1TB e €12 per user for 5TB.
We were told probably by the end of the year the web version will be open to everyone without the need to purchase one Cubbit Cell. With the necessary improvements it could therefore become an intelligent alternative to centralized clouds.
Also in this case there would be a distributed and encrypted cloud, the technology used is in fact the same.
In the version for private individuals to date, however, we remind you, you only pay once Cubbit Cell stop. Then there will be no monthly cost.
What do you think? Have any of you ever used it? We are waiting for you on our subreddit, on the our group Telegram or in the our room Matrix to discuss it!
- About Us[↩]
- Crowdfunding on Kickstarter[↩]
- Crowdfunding on Indiegogo[↩]
- New 1.25 million round for Cubbit. Cdp Venture will participate. Since December, Azimut, Gellify and Swarm Angels have also been in the capital[↩]
- Blockchain on Wikipedia[↩]
- Cubbit vs blockchain[↩]
- Application Status[↩]
- Will Cubbit be Open source?[↩]
- Enigma: Our powerful and user-friendly cryptographic library[↩]
- Will Cubbit have an iOS and Android app?[↩]
Join communities
If you have found errors in the article you can report them by clicking here, Thank you!