No need for a scanner at home, and no need to transfer documents via a USB drive anymore! With this solution, as soon as it's scanned, it's stored and instantly accessible from wherever you want and from any of your devices: smartphone, computer, tablet.

This document will be securely stored and backed up automatically. With just one click, if needed, you can attach it via an email.

To perform this operation securely, you need to have a self-hosted personal cloud, which is the ultimate solution for protecting your privacy. We describe below how to do it with your Ajabox.

We assume that you have already connected your Ajabox to your internet box and already associated your smartphone with your Ajabox.

1. Choose the desired storage location

• Open the app associated with your Ajabox on your smartphone.
• Navigate to the location (folder) where you want to save the document in your Ajabox.

2. Scan your document

• Click the + (plus) button.
• In the menu that appears, click "scan a document."
• Place the document you want to scan in front of your smartphone's camera; the scan is automatically triggered once your smartphone focuses. The software automatically detects the edges of the document and "cuts" it from the photo.
• Continue with the next page to scan.

3. Adjust and save your document

• Once all pages are scanned, click "save," then click the down arrow to group all the pages into a single document.
• Then you have the choice to create the document as is or to rearrange the pages by moving them with your finger before storing it.
• Click "save" and choose the document name and a password (optional) if you want to protect it with a password.

And there you have it! You now know how to scan a document with your smartphone and save it directly to the Ajabox cloud.

The main concern lies in data privacy. Although most heavyweights in the cloud like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud offer data encryption, the privacy of your information is not absolute.

This poses a serious problem, especially for sensitive data, whether personal or professional.

Take the example of Google Drive's terms of use, which explicitly state that stored files are subject to analysis. This approach serves several purposes, including personalizing services based on information derived from your private data and detecting illicit content. Several platforms adopt a similar approach of automatic analysis.

Another compromising factor for privacy comes from using American companies. U.S. legislation, as amended by the "Patriot Act" and the "Cloud Act," now allows the country's authorities to claim access to data hosted by American companies, even when this data is stored outside the United States.

This practice goes against the principles of privacy protection, prompting the avoidance of American providers for the storage of sensitive data, whether personal or professional.

But in some circumstances, European governments also legally have the right to access cloud-stored data, although regulations vary from country to country. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the main law governing the protection of personal data in Europe. However, it also allows authorities to access it for reasons of national security or to investigate, detect, or prosecute criminal offenses as well as to protect the vital interests of a third party.

Who's to say that this list won't grow over time?

Even if you have nothing to hide, is the idea that your files could be accessed at any time due to a potential investigation really reassuring? Especially when considering that data stored on a public cloud is duplicated and backed up, offering perpetual access to a future government. Moreover, the trend towards surveillance societies has increased, a phenomenon we witnessed during the Covid pandemic. This bodes ill for the protection of our individual freedoms against future administrations. The implementation of the social credit system in China gives us an alarming glimpse of what our reality could become. Who would be willing to risk feeding such a beast with their personal data, even if a similar system were introduced more moderately in our current democracies?

It would be wise to turn away from public clouds and consider using private storage solutions for greater security and confidentiality. There's nothing better than keeping your data safe at home! Our motto at Ajabox is, "If you have nothing to hide, you harm no one by hiding it."

In today's digital world, the question of data storage is more crucial than ever. NAS (Network Attached Storage), private cloud, and more recently, self-hosted cloud have emerged as preferred solutions, each with its own merits and challenges.

The NAS

NAS is a network-attached storage device, providing centralized access to data. It offers a similar experience to direct storage but with improved accessibility and sharing features.

Advantages:

1. Enhanced Security:
   • Total Control: With NAS, you have complete control over the physical and digital security of your data.
   • Privacy: No third parties are involved, reducing the risk of data breaches.
2. Performance:
   • Speed: Local access ensures fast transfer speeds, promoting operational efficiency.
   • Reliability: Less reliance on internet connection minimizes downtime.
3. Cost:
   • One-time Investment: Initial purchase cost with no significant recurring fees.

Disadvantages:

1. Maintenance:
   • Manual: Requires regular intervention for updates and maintenance.
   • Expertise: Technical expertise is often required.
2. Scalability:
   • Limited: Expanding storage capacity can be complex and costly.
3. Accessibility:
   • Local: Remote access may be limited or complex to set up.

Private Cloud

Private cloud offers remote data storage accessible via the internet. It combines the benefits of public cloud storage with increased security and control.

Advantages:

1. Flexibility:
   • Global Access: Access your data from anywhere, facilitating collaboration and mobility.
   • Scalability: Easily and quickly increase storage capacity.
2. Maintenance:
   • Automated: Maintenance is often taken care of by the provider, reducing technical burden.
   • Updates: Updates and improvements are automatic.
3. Backup and Recovery:
   • Efficiency: Backup and recovery solutions are often integrated and automated.
   • Security: Remote storage offers increased protection against local disasters.

Disadvantages:

1. Security:
   • Third Parties: Data is stored off-site, which can raise concerns about privacy and security.
   • Vulnerability: Potentially vulnerable to online attacks and network downtime.
2. Costs:
   • Recurring: Monthly or annual fees that can accumulate over time.
   • Hidden Fees: Possibility of additional charges for bandwidth and other services.
3. Internet Dependency:
   • Connectivity: Requires a stable and fast internet connection for optimal access.

Self-Hosted Cloud

An increasingly popular phenomenon, the self-hosted cloud allows users to create their own cloud storage solution, controlled and managed from the comfort of their home or business.

Advantages:

1. Total Control:
   • Customization: Complete adaptation to the user's specific needs.
   • Privacy: Data remains at home, almost eliminating the risk of breaches.
2. Cost:
   • Economical: An initial investment in hardware, with no significant recurring fees.
3. Performance:
   • Speed: Since data is stored locally, access is fast and efficient.

Disadvantages:

1. Maintenance:
   • Responsibility: All maintenance and security responsibilities rest with the user.
   • Skills: Requires technical knowledge for setup and management.

Delegated Self-Hosted Cloud: The Innovative Solution Combining the Best of Each Previous Solution

In an era where convenience and control often intertwine, a fourth solution emerges: the delegated self-hosted cloud. This option combines the advantages of traditional self-hosted cloud with the assurance of professional maintenance, thus reconciling autonomy, privacy, and peace of mind.

Advantages:

1. Enhanced Control and Security:
   • Data Sovereignty: Enjoy complete control of your data while having the certainty of a secure and up-to-date system.
   • Automated Updates: Updates and patches are applied seamlessly by professionals.
2. Comfort and Peace of Mind:
   • Professional Maintenance: No technical worries; a dedicated team takes care of everything.
   • Expert Support: Quick and qualified assistance for any questions or concerns.
3. Optimized Performance:
   • Efficiency: Since data is stored locally, access is fast and efficient.

Disadvantages:

1. Cost:
   • Service Fees (optional): While autonomy is preserved, professional services involve additional costs if you subscribe to these supplementary services.
2. Customization:
   • Limited Flexibility: Delegated management can restrict certain highly specific customizations.

Integration into the Storage Landscape

The delegated self-hosted cloud fits into a context where users aspire to autonomy in data management but wish to avoid technical complications. By delegating maintenance to a team of experts, users can focus on the optimal use of their data without getting lost in technical management.

Delegated Self-Hosted Cloud: A Revolution in Progress

With the emergence of this new option, the data storage landscape diversifies further, offering tailored solutions for a variety of needs and preferences. It is undeniable that the delegated self-hosted cloud represents a significant advance in the world of data storage. Combining the best of previous solutions, it offers the sovereignty and control of self-hosted storage, the professionalism and efficiency of traditional cloud services, while eliminating the technical challenges and security concerns inherent in self-management.

Projection into the Future

In a world where digitization and cybersecurity dictate the pace of innovations, the delegated self-hosted cloud stands out as the ultimate solution, meeting the constant quest for control, efficiency, and security. It is an option that not only respects data privacy and integrity but also ensures their availability and efficient management, marking the beginning of a new era in data management.

Conclusion

The anticipated rise of the delegated self-hosted cloud is measured not only by its ability to address existing challenges but also by its propensity to redefine the standards of data storage. The delegated self-hosted cloud is not just an alternative; it is the future of data storage, a silent yet powerful revolution shaping the future of digital information and cybersecurity.

Ajabox has disrupted its competitors by offering the world this innovative concept of the delegated self-hosted cloud.

It was in 2021, in the gentle atmosphere of a night on a beach of a paradisiacal island, that the spark occurred. As a computer engineer and entrepreneur, I was lying on the sand, gazing at the stars. I was preoccupied by an article I had just read: The Carbon Footprint of the Internet.

In 2021, digital technology at home already produced as much CO2 as global air traffic, and predictions were a doubling by 2025! Since the cloud's share represented a third, having doubled in five years with a clear trend towards domination of this storage mode, this was not just a drop of CO2 in the atmosphere.

At that time, I was working on a self-hosted cloud (in-house cloud) project. My primary goal was to bring to market a solution that would protect our privacy to the maximum. By making it possible to host at home a personal cloud dedicated without any technical knowledge, rather than entrusting our data to digital giants who do not hesitate to analyze them.

I am not exactly a traditional eco-activist, waving protest banners. I am more of an eco-pragmatist, a man of solutions, an innovator who believes in the power of creativity to provide solutions. At that moment, I think I must adapt my project and kill two birds with one stone: protect users' privacy and reduce the ecological impact of the cloud.

While pondering these thoughts, I watched the bright points of planes in the sky and told myself to stay motivated that it would compensate for still taking the plane to my paradise island where I lived part of the time.

Can you believe it, taking a photo like this with your smartphone emits a significant amount of CO2! Especially since it will then sync to the cloud and indefinitely emit CO2 for maintaining its storage in that cloud. And then, I might send it to friends via WhatsApp, it will be stored in their phone's gallery, then synchronized again in their cloud. How many clouds will it be duplicated in finally? How much CO2 will these copies emit? For how long?

With horror, I realize that my simple click to take this photo may pollute more than this fraction of a second of movement of that airplane I see in the sky. Considering the number of photos taken by smartphones, it's quite chilling.

I was disturbed by this inconsistency. The world was obsessed with planes crossing the sky but overlooked the silent servers buzzing day and night, consuming enormous amounts of energy and emitting CO2 in silence. It was an invisible and neglected problem, but just as urgent. I had to tackle this issue.

Lying on the sand and continuing to observe the sky, after a while, I came across a strange plane that had no red and green blinking lights at the ends of its wings. I tried to find an explanation, but could not. No matter its orientation, I should have been able to see one of these two lights, green or red. Then I realized it was a satellite made visible by the reflection of the sun!

That's when it clicked for me. I thought about how these satellites have significant communication and computing capabilities but have strong energy constraints. I remembered a scene from the film "Apollo 13" that retraces NASA's mission of the same name. To bring the crew back to Earth alive, NASA engineers are shown to be ingenious in saving every watt of electrical consumption of the module.

The path was there; I had to start over with a blank sheet and use computer components used in space. I couldn't do better in terms of energy efficiency.

At that moment, the project started from scratch to become what it is today: a well-protected home cloud with terabytes of data for less than 3 watts of total consumption, which is:

• 5 times less than a simple internet box,
• 15 times less than a simple laptop,
• 30 times less than a desktop computer.

The invisible pollution of data centers is a challenge we must all take on. My talent, knowledge, and entrepreneurial spirit have allowed me to bring you this pragmatic and significant solution.

Your decision-making ability must take over and do the rest so that through a silent migration, your data finds its way back home and pollutes less.

Producing locally, consuming locally is good, but hosting locally as well is better and is part of the solution to the problem.

Join this movement to stop this collective massacre, linked to a currently inefficient and excessively carbon-emitting digital world, to migrate towards a more environmentally respectful usage.

The ideal solution for those who are environmentally conscious, your Ajabox is designed to offer an eco-responsible alternative to online storage services. This innovation uses electronic components from the space industry, used in satellites, to ensure optimal performance while significantly reducing energy consumption. As a result, it consumes a tiny fraction of the energy required by equivalent conventional data centers, thus contributing to a significant reduction in carbon footprint.

Without the need for complex cooling systems, it maintains operational efficiency while saving energy. Its self-adaptive algorithms to each user's specific needs optimize energy use without compromising performance. In addition to being energy-efficient, it ensures fast and secure data management on-site, ensuring confidentiality and integrity.

Why is your Ajabox a more efficient solution to reduce your digital carbon footprint than using an online storage service?

When you use online storage solutions, you consume resources in data centers. It is important to realize that data centers today emit as much greenhouse gas as global air traffic.

At first glance, one might assume that hosting your cloud storage at home is equivalent in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.

Well, no! Hosting your cloud storage at home, beyond keeping your data confidential, also helps reduce your digital carbon footprint.

Here's why:

• You are more efficient in data transport. When you host your cloud at home, you use resources that would otherwise be consumed and lost. A portion of energy consumption in data centers is linked to computer routers. At home, for this function, you use your Internet box, which runs continuously whether you use it or not.
• You are also more efficient in data storage. In data centers, your data is stored on servers that consume energy and emit heat. Concentrating all these servers in one place in a closed environment, obviously for security reasons, requires a huge additional energy consumption for cooling. So, for every 1 kWh consumed by servers, the data center will consume a total of 2.5 kWh including cooling costs. With your Ajabox at home, the ratio is 1 to 1 because you don't have this cooling issue. Indeed, the heat dissipation of your Ajabox in the volume of your room will not require the addition of air conditioning. On the contrary, it will contribute to reducing your heating bill.
• You are more efficient in the impact of your usage. For example, when you use a classic cloud service connected to your smartphone to store your photos, the default settings only upload your photos to your cloud when you have your Wi-Fi connection to save your data plan. As a result, when you return home after a walk where you took photos, your smartphone will start synchronizing with your cloud and will not consume any internet bandwidth if your cloud is at home, thus further reducing your carbon footprint related to internet traffic.

Finally, and last but not least, your Ajabox was designed with components from the space industry, where one of the primary concerns is the energy efficiency of its components, as they are intended for battery-operated equipment. In the end, it only consumes 3 watts. For a comparative sense of scale, this is a consumption:

• 5 times less than your Internet box,
• 15 times less than a laptop,
• 30 times less than a desktop computer,
• Less than the residual consumption of your TV and TV decoder turned off and left on standby,
• Equivalent to the energy needed to heat the water for one shower per month.

In the end, it will not consume more being in operation 24/7 all year than for heating the water for one shower per month. Ultimately, by opting for this cloud solution, you can, if you wish, completely cancel your digital carbon footprint by taking one cold shower per month 😉

"Ajabox" is therefore more than just a data storage and management device; it's a step towards a greener digital future. By choosing "Ajabox", you embrace a solution that not only preserves data quality and accessibility but also acts responsibly towards the planet. Join us in this green revolution where technology and the earth coexist in harmony, propelling our world into an era of sustainable digitalization.

Read more on the subject Ajabox when space inspires a sustainable alternative to energy-intensive cloud services

Every day, millions of emails are exchanged around the world, many containing attachments. Whether it's for work, studies, or personal exchanges, knowing how to share files in a safe and efficient manner is crucial. If you're wondering whether it's better to attach a file directly to an email or share it via a download link, and what the different methods for doing so are, this article is for you.

Attaching Directly to the Email

The most common method of sharing a file is by attaching it directly to the email. It's simple and quick: just click on the paperclip icon, select the desired file, and it's ready to be sent. However, this method has disadvantages. On one hand, there's often a limit to the size of the files you can send. On the other hand, this method can sometimes pose security issues, especially if the file contains sensitive information.

Sharing via a Link

With a Public Cloud

An alternative is to upload your file to a public cloud storage service, like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. They are accessible, easy to use, and often free up to a certain storage capacity. However, they can pose risks in terms of security and confidentiality, as your files are stored on external servers, out of your control.

With a NAS/Cloud

Given these concerns, personal cloud is an attractive option as your files are stored at home, offering total control. However, pay attention to the actual characteristics of the system you choose. A cloud is not a NAS and vice versa! The most common offers of so-called self-hosted personal cloud are often purely hardware solutions like NAS (Network Attached Storage), on which a "cloud varnish" has been applied.

Yes, most of these hardware solutions, often proposed by storage support manufacturers for the business market, require technical skills to properly set up their solutions. They are NASs before being clouds. Despite the efforts of these hardware manufacturers to try to simplify this enterprise-origin technology, it is still necessary to have a minimum of knowledge to implement them. Furthermore, the integrated cloud solutions are most of the time more limited and proprietary as they are not true clouds in themselves.

With a Real Personal Cloud (Self-Hosted)

Considering this, some companies have taken the opposite approach to offer you real clouds that are not just overlays to a NAS. A "real cloud" allows you intelligent synchronization of your data across your various devices, computers, smartphones, tablets, with the possibility to work offline when you have no internet but also direct and collaborative work on files like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc., as you could do with the combination of OneDrive + Office365, or Google Drive + Google Docs, in the case of public clouds.

This type of cloud requires the installation of servers and numerous software layers, with all that implies in terms of knowledge and maintenance. The challenge is significant if you want to make this kind of solution accessible to the average person.

This is the challenge that Ajabox has proudly taken on by offering you a complete plug & play solution. You just have to plug the box behind your internet box and that's it!

In addition to offering you a real professional cloud with the most advanced features, it also offers an automated backup service to secure your data, a digital safe, and a system of secure remote assistance for your daily technical problems. It's an ideal system for those looking for a complete solution without the technical complexity.

How Does It Work?

Your data stays at home and is securely accessible from anywhere, combining the convenience of public cloud with the security of local storage.

Ajabox stands out from traditional NAS systems with its exceptional user-friendliness. Everything is controlled via a simple smartphone, making home storage accessible even to novices.

Install your Ajabox with ease:

1. Scan a QR code to activate your Ajabox.
2. Connect it to your internet box without any configuration.
3. Activate the desired services: Cloud, digital safe, automated backup, VPN, NAS, etc.
4. Invite, if you wish, family members or employees by entering their email.

In Conclusion

The digital world is rich in options for storing and sharing files. While public cloud and NAS offer their own advantages, Ajabox presents itself as an innovative solution, combining the security and control of local storage with unparalleled ease of use. For data management that is both simple, secure, and private, Ajabox is the ideal answer.