In an effort to ensure secure sharing of large files, Mozilla has launched Firefox Send, a free encrypted self-destructing file sharing platform.
Created in 2017, the platform has been in beta mode until its launch yesterday. Firefox Send works just like any other file sharing service available online. It allows users upload files on the website and let them share a link to the uploaded files with whoever they wish to.
Users can send up to 1GB of files for free. Users can also have their file size capacity increased up to 2.5GB if they signup for a free Firefox account. So unless a user wants to take advantage of the extra storage space from having a Firefox account, no login is required to use the platform.
Mozilla notes that recipients will not need a Firefox account to download the file.
Users can upload one file at a time, or multiple files at once which Firefox Send will automatically assemble in a ZIP file. The service does not have paid options, unlike other online file hosting services.
Interestingly, files uploaded on Firefox Send are ephemeral. Users are forced to choose when the download link will expire – either after a certain period of time or after a given amount of downloads.
Currently, Firefox Send allows for links to expire in as little as 5 minutes or as long as 7 days. Users can also decide to allow file links to remain active for downloads up to the 100th download. For premium security, users are also given the option to password-protect their private file links. And after upload, an encrypted file link is provided for sharing.
“We know there are several cloud sharing solutions out there, but as a continuation of our mission to bring you more private and safer choices, you can trust that your information is safe with Send. As with all Firefox apps and services, Send is Private By Design, meaning all of your files are protected, and we stand by our mission to handle your data privately and securely.”
Nick Nguyen, Mozilla’s VP of Firefox Product
At a time when users are being conscious of how their private data is being used, Mozilla’s Firefox Send is seems to be putting its users security and privacy first.
The service is accessible through send.firefox.com web portal (which works using any browser, including Mozilla’s Firefox). Mozilla says the service would also be available as an Android app in beta later this week.
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