SpiderOak

SpiderOak is a privately held software company focused on providing secure, encrypted collaboration and communication tools. Founded in 2007, the company is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Overview

SpiderOak differentiates itself by emphasizing a "zero-knowledge" privacy model. This means that the company itself does not have access to the encryption keys used to protect user data. Encryption and decryption occur on the user's devices, ensuring that only the user can access their information. This security architecture is designed to protect against data breaches and government surveillance.

Products and Services

SpiderOak offers several products, including:

• SpiderOak One Backup: A secure, encrypted backup solution for individuals and small businesses. It allows users to automatically back up files and folders from their computers to SpiderOak's servers.
• SpiderOak Semaphor: A secure collaboration platform designed for teams and organizations. It provides end-to-end encrypted messaging, file sharing, and group video conferencing.
• SpiderOak Orbit: A secure file-sharing and collaboration platform targeted at enterprise users. It offers features such as role-based access control, audit logging, and compliance reporting.

Security and Privacy

SpiderOak's commitment to security and privacy is a core aspect of its business. The company employs end-to-end encryption, meaning that data is encrypted on the user's device before it is transmitted to SpiderOak's servers and decrypted only on the recipient's device. This prevents SpiderOak from accessing or decrypting user data. The company also implements other security measures, such as two-factor authentication and regular security audits.

Criticism and Controversy

While SpiderOak is known for its strong security, it has faced criticism regarding its pricing compared to other cloud storage and collaboration solutions. Some users have also reported occasional issues with synchronization and performance. The company's zero-knowledge approach, while enhancing privacy, can make data recovery impossible if the user loses their encryption key.