We've received several inquiries about how ZumoDrive stores its users' data and what the security is like.  Just in case someone is storing the secret location of Earth for when the Cylons attack, we're here to tell you how safe and secure ZumoDrive is.  Cloud storage is a great way to store your data.  Since the Galactica does not allow any of their computers to be networked between each other, pulling down your data from the internet (i.e. the cloud) is perfect.  When aboard the Battlestar Galactica and connecting to ZumoDrive, here is the path your files will take:

1.  The file being uploaded is transferred to the ZumoDrive server which is hosted by Amazon's EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud).  It is done via 256-bit SSL encryption.  SSL is the same type of encryption used when you log into your bank's secure website.  The EC2 is the workhorse.  It's the liaison between the client on your computer and the ZumoDrive datacenter (which is hosted by Amazon S3; more on this below).  It also services the ZumoDrive website.

2.  The EC2 then does 2 things to your file:

    A.  It creates metadata (filename, username, file size, file type, share permissions, etc.) and sends it to our database.  This allows you to quickly look through your files without having to load the contents of the files.

    B.  It encrypts your actual file via 256-bit AES encryption and stores it on S3 (Simple Storage Service).  AES is military grade encryption.

3.  S3 is just a giant warehouse of data.  Once your file hits the S3 server it is replicated multiple times and stored in multiple datacenters.  Each datacenter is in a different geographical location.  Your file will sit there (still AES encrypted of course) until you decide to retrieve it.

So as you can see, the Cylons have many hurdles to overcome in order to take over ZumoDrive and your data.  They would have to crack different types of encryptions, and when that fails and they want to just destroy the data, it would require a large blanket of nuclear explosions over a large area.  This is of course not including having to duke it out with the mighty BSG and its crew.  So say we all!!

Tell us how you are using ZumoDrive and win free storage!!  Here's how it's going to work:

We are looking for the top three most interesting use cases for ZumoDrive.  Please submit your case with a reasonable description as to how you are currently using ZumoDrive to: contest@zumodrive.com.  You may submit as many cases as you like.  Here's an example:

I use ZumoDrive to sync up my bookmarks on mutiple computers.  I set my browsers on all my computers to save all my bookmarks to a folder on ZumoDrive.  That way when I make a change, it is reflected on all my computers.

This contest will run starting today, Monday, March 8th, through Monday, March 15th.  The staff here will then vote on them.  The top three users will have 25gb added to their account for life!!  Let the sharing begin!  Good luck!

Hello everyone!  We just released ZumoDrive version 0.986 for Mac only.  Here are the improvements we've made:

1. The Mac client and ZumoDrive server now support file names containing characters:  \ : * ? " < > |

These characters are invalid as file names on the Windows platform, but they are valid on Mac and Linux.  So you will now be able to add files with these characters in them.  However, if you wish to access those files on a Windows machine, the only way to do so will be via the website.  This will be the case until Microsoft decides to support these characters.

2. We've made some optimizations to the folder linking process.  It has to do with how we handle the uploading of your files.  A whole bunch of technical mumbo-jumbo aside, it basically means that some of your linked folders are now going to be uploaded faster.

This is a relatively minor release.  Both PC and Mac users should stay tuned for our next major release of version 0.987.  That is due out in a few weeks!  In the great words of Porky Pig: "Th-Th-Th-Th-Th-... That's all, folks!"

Here at ZumoDrive, we all usually order lunch together.  Someone picks a place, we all order, and said someone goes and picks it up.  Today was no exception.  Or so we thought.  John decided he wanted Japanese food, so after digging through our box of menus he decided on Hotaru (a Japanese place in San Mateo).  I posted the link to the online menu on our chat system, and that's where the fun began.

Greg:
"tanuki udon?  isn't tanuki a raccoon or something?"

Jeff:
"YEAH!!!!  Super Mario Bros. 3!!!!  Greg....  You are my hero."

Greg:
"yeah, the tanuki suit.  except was it spelled tanooki or something?"

John:
"i wonder what raccoon tastes like"

A quick Wikipedia search revealed that Tanuki means Raccoon Dog.  Physically it looks like a cross between a Pomeranian and a raccoon.  Sadly, Greg went with Chicken Udon + Egg instead of the Raccoon Dog Udon.

However this lunch incident does bring up some unanswered questions.  Why did Nintendo change the spelling to "Tanooki"?  Was it to shield innocent, internet surfing children from the harsh truth that some cultures enjoy a canine based cuisine?  Why has the Tanooki Suit never made it into any other Mario game?  Why does the guy in this picture look like Vijay?  If you ask me, the Tanooki Suit is one of the best suits Mario has ever been made to wear.  Second only to Kuribo's Shoe.

   

Click here to download:

Lunch_-_Tanuki_Vs._Tanooki.zip (397 KB)

Happy new years from the ZumoDrive team!!  Ok.  We know that the season's greetings is almost a month late, however, we have been working hard at getting a new version of ZumoDrive out.  Check out the details!

   

Click here to download:

ZumoDrive_Version_0.984.zip (87 KB)

We have just released a new version of ZumoDrive that introduces a new feature: Folder Linking.

Zumo is feeling generous today. We've decided to run a contest giving away an additional +1GB of Zumo space to all existing users!

All you have to do is fire off a tweet mentioning @zumodrive or #zumodrive and you'll automatically be eligible to receive the +1 to your ZD space. After you tweet, just send us an e-mail (the one you registered for with ZumoDrive) so we can give you your extra gig.

If you're lacking the creative juices to come up with something nice to say, here's a few example tweets you can send out:

"Bringing my media anywhere with @zumodrive! Additional +1GB giveaway going on now!"
"#zumodrive kicks ass!"
"@zumodrive give me my 1GB please."
"Tired of the limited space my iPhone has, thank goodness for #zumodrive."
"Wondering when my Android app is coming for @zumodrive."

Again, mention us in a Tweet and e-mail contest@zumodrive.com for your +1GB.

Give it a shot! The +1 contest will last for the next 24 hours (12PM - 12PM PST). We'll be monitoring Twitter for mentions. We look forward to seeing what Zumo users have to say!

Update -11/17/2009, 2:15PM

We'll send out your 1GB+ account upgrade within 24 hours! Thank you so much for participating!