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by nly 4669 days ago
This didn't need proving. They send you JavaScript code, which you trust to encrypt your files. Without a built-in, well-audited, static browser mechanism no web service can ever be trusted with confidential data.

If the Feds decide to raid MEGA again they can simply modify their server side script to recognise your IP and serve you bad JavaScript from the MEGA domain, revealing your keys the next time you login. Nobody would be any the wiser.

Personally I'm waiting for JS crypto to take off big time and idiots to start using it from a CDN.
3 comments
the_mitsuhiko 4669 days ago
> Without a built-in, well-audited, static browser mechanism no web service can ever be trusted with confidential data

That's why mega has a separate app: https://mega.co.nz/#chrome

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nhm 4669 days ago
The article isn't proving anything, it's an example of how a known problem affects MEGA. It's saying encrypt your files first, because trusting MEGA (or anyone who uses that kind of encryption) is not enough.
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nly 4669 days ago
You're right, this just highlights the nature of the site in a very effective way. The message here is nobody should be surprised.
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traskjd 4669 days ago
Sure, but don't you think it's important that they make this clear?

So far they market heavily on the fact that it's secure when this is simply not true.

If you read their security page, they do say you shouldn't use it if you don't trust them. But that's about it for any warning that you're basically sitting there naked.

I know no security system is entirely secure, but they aren't generally targeting security minded folks, they're targeting the layman who reads what they say and then thinks they're secure due to their weasel worded security page.

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nly 4669 days ago
Meh. Should every site using HTTPS make it clear that hundreds of CAs whom you've never heard of have the capability to perform a MITM?

At least with MEGA you know the security framework is something they've engineered themselves, so you know you have to trust them. With SSL/TLS you're deferring to authority simply because it's convenient.

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e12e 4669 days ago
You still have to trust SSL, in the case of MEGA, COMODO is their CA, and they appear to use 128bit RC4.

Of course, if you've not cleaned your trusted certificates, someone like CNic can just MTIM you.

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