How to sync user-created folders with FOSS cloud? (no goog, dropbox)

Snowmonk

Suppose /SignalBackup or /AllMyNotes is a folder alongside /downloads. Then one could have a backup of their app data in case of loss of phone if they stick with apps that allow the user to specify the location of the app's data folder. Can it be done with pCloud, NextCloud, box? I am new to these. Looking out for one that provides encrypted storage of the data of course. Is there a solution/service that would work with /documents & /downloads as well?

jarelllama

I suggest using an app like FolderSync. It allows choosing any folder to sync along with many customizable options like whether to sync on a schedule or whenever a change is detected.

It's usually used to sync files to-and-fro cloud providers but they also support NextCloud and the usual file share protocols like FTP, SMB, WebDev, etc.

Snowmonk

jarelllama thank you. sounds perfect. ill try it.

i'd also love to hear if there's a go-to encrypted cloud host for casual storage like this, just a few gb. is NextCloud a common choice for replacing dropbox? is there a common sentiment re dropbox in this community? i get the "too big to trust" and "trying to sell me too many invasive services" vibe. happy to be wrong about that...

jarelllama

Snowmonk Hi. Cloud storage has always been a touchy subject and people love to get heated over it. The fact is all our threat models and use cases are different. If you're well informed and feel comfortable using Dropbox, or any other provider, there's zero shame in it.

Nextcloud is very popular with the self-hosting community. I self-hosted Nextcloud myself too for a while but found self hosting to be too unreliable and time consuming for my needs.

I personally don't use Dropbox due to its lack of end to end encryption. I instead use MEGA, which has been a controversial company but it is one of the few providers supported by FolderSync that also uses end to end encryption.

Reading material:
MEGA's recent encryption exploit
MEGA's security FAQ

Kenny33

Snowmonk perhaps give skiffdrive a shot?

Think they recently got added to the privacy guides list

MetropleX

jarelllama I personally don't use Dropbox due to its lack of end to end encryption.

Valid point and you are right that it tends to get heated. If however you want to use your cloud provider of choice while also securing yourself against any of their policies then you can use Cryptomator.

I use it and more info can be found here: https://cryptomator.org/ If you want to know about my personal anecdotal experiences fire away and ask.

Snowmonk

Kenny33 it looks interesting- free @skiff.com email acct with 3 additional aliases, without requiring an outside email. wow.

i do NOT see it on https://www.privacyguides.org/email/

so, not sure why you say so.

Kenny33

Snowmonk

I was referring to their storage offering, not the email product

https://privacytools.io/#cloud