Where Does My File Go? Understanding Sharemy's Security & Privacy
In a world where data privacy is more important than ever, a simple question can cause a lot of anxiety: when I share a file online, where does it actually go? Do my private photos, important documents, or personal videos end up sitting on a server somewhere, vulnerable and out of my control?
It’s a valid concern. With Sharemy, we designed our entire application to give you a clear and simple answer: your data stays on your devices.
This isn't just a promise; it's a direct result of the technology we chose. Let's break down how our secure file sharing works.
Traditional File Sharing: Why Servers Create Risk
Most file-sharing services—from email attachments to cloud storage links—use a traditional model. When you send a file, it travels from your device to the company's central server. The server stores a copy of your file and then waits for the receiver to download it.
Analogy: The Postal Service Think of this like mailing a package. You give your package to the post office (the server). It gets stored in their warehouse, and then they deliver it to your friend. The post office is a necessary middleman, but it means your package is temporarily out of your hands and in theirs.
This model works, but it creates a central point of vulnerability. Your private data is stored, even temporarily, on someone else's computer.
The Sharemy Difference: Serverless, Peer-to-Peer Transfers with WebRTC
Sharemy works differently. We made a deliberate choice to avoid a costly server-based backend and instead use a modern, secure technology called WebRTC. This allows us to create a direct, peer-to-peer (P2P) connection between your browser and the receiver's browser.
When you send a file, it is never uploaded to our servers. Instead, it's broken down into encrypted pieces and streamed directly from your device to the other person's device.
Analogy: A Direct Handshake Using Sharemy is like meeting your friend in person and handing the file directly to them. There is no post office and no warehouse. The exchange is immediate and private, just between the two of you.
"But how do your devices find each other?" you might ask. That's where our signaling server comes in. It acts like a quick phone call to say, "Hey, where are you?" so you can meet up for the handshake. It helps establish the connection but never touches the file itself.
A Multi-Layered Approach to Security
Our commitment to privacy goes beyond the file transfer itself. We've built a secure environment for the entire session:
- Host-Controlled Rooms: To even begin sharing, a sender creates a private room. When another user tries to join, the room owner receives a dialog box to allow or deny their request.
- Automatic Room Destruction: The moment the room's creator exits, the room is automatically destroyed, ensuring the connection is securely terminated for everyone.
Your Top Security & Privacy Questions Answered
Let's address the most important questions head-on.
Q: Are my files uploaded to Sharemy servers?
A: No. Never. Your files are streamed directly from your browser to the recipient's browser using a peer-to-peer connection. We have no access to them, and no copies are ever stored on our infrastructure.
Q: Is the file transfer encrypted?
A: Yes. Always. The WebRTC technology that powers Sharemy has mandatory, built-in end-to-end encryption (using DTLS) for all data transfers. This means your files are scrambled during transit and can only be unscrambled by the intended recipient.
Q: What data do you actually store?
A: We don't have a central database of users. The only data stored is on your own device—when you edit your username and photo, this information is saved in your browser's local storage, a private space on your computer that we cannot access.
Privacy by Design
We built Sharemy with a "privacy by design" philosophy. By removing the server as a middleman for your files, we offer a fundamentally more secure and private way to share. Your data belongs to you, and with Sharemy, it stays that way.