Mozilla has debuted its free encrypted file transfer service, Firefox Send, which allows anyone to share files from any browser, without having to install any third-party software.
The platform will also be available as an Android app, meaning people can share files from their mobile device without having to worry they'll be intercepted or stolen. Firefox Send supports files of up to 1GB without needing to sign up, or 2.5GB if you create a free Firefox account.
When someone receives a link to a file, they can simply click on it to start the download, without having to sign up for an account. The link will expire as and when the sender wants it to
"Send uses end-to-end encryption to keep your data secure from the moment you share to the moment your file is opened. It also offers security controls that you can set," Nick Nguyen, VP of Firefox Product said in a blog post. "You can choose when your file link expires, the number of downloads, and whether to add an optional password for an extra layer of security."
The way Send works is by sharing encrypted files as a one-off. The file will be sent to the receiver, without staying available for hackers or anyone else to access. This is different to how services such as WeTransfer work because files remain uploaded to the cloud for a week, meaning anyone can use the link to download them.
"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," Nguyen added.
"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."
