Question 1

How secure is Permafiles?

Accepted Answer

Permafiles uses the open source Nextcloud platform with TLS encryption, two-factor authentication and privacy-focused EU hosting. Nextcloud also supports end-to-end encryption. Data is encrypted in transit, and Nextcloud supports encryption for stored files. End-to-end encryption can encrypt supported files on your device before upload.

Question 2

What does GDPR-aligned hosting mean?

Accepted Answer

GDPR-aligned hosting means personal data is handled with appropriate European data-protection, privacy and security controls. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Question 3

What makes Permafiles different from Big Tech cloud providers?

Accepted Answer

Unlike mainstream cloud storage services, Permafiles is built around a private cloud model using the open-source Nextcloud platform, with privacy-focused European hosting and no advertising.

Question 4

What sort of performance can I expect?

Accepted Answer

Permafiles uses NVMe storage technology to provide responsive file access, fast uploads and downloads, and quick synchronization across desktop and mobile devices.

Question 5

How does encryption work?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud can use end-to-end encryption to encrypt files on your device before upload when the feature is enabled. Standard connections are always protected with TLS encryption.

Question 6

How do I back up and sync my data?

Accepted Answer

You can back up and sync your data using the Nextcloud desktop or mobile apps. These apps provide automatic synchronization across all your devices.

Question 7

Does Nextcloud include online document editing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Nextcloud can provide browser-based document, spreadsheet and presentation editing through compatible office integrations such as Collabora Online and other supported solutions.

This allows users to work collaboratively without moving their files to a separate public cloud platform.

Question 8

What are Nextcloud sync clients?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud sync clients are desktop and mobile applications that automatically keep your files up to date across all your devices.

Changes you make on one device are synchronised with your Nextcloud account and other connected devices.
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Question 9

Which operating systems support the Nextcloud sync client?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud provides official sync clients for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, ensuring full cross-platform compatibility.

Question 10

Does Nextcloud support automatic photo and video uploads?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The mobile apps include an auto-upload feature that automatically backs up photos and videos from your phone to your Nextcloud account.

Question 11

Are Nextcloud sync clients secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All data transferred between your device and the server is protected with HTTPS/TLS encryption, and Permafiles provides European-hosted private cloud storage with account-security features such as two-factor authentication.

Question 12

Does the Nextcloud client support multiple accounts?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can connect multiple Nextcloud accounts to the same client, making it easy to manage personal and business storage from one interface.

Question 13

How does file syncing work in Nextcloud?

Accepted Answer

The client monitors selected folders on your device. When a file is added, edited, or deleted, the client securely uploads the change to your server and updates all connected devices.

Question 14

Can I choose which folders to sync?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can sync your entire Nextcloud account or select specific folders. This helps save storage space and bandwidth on devices with limited capacity.

Question 15

How does Nextcloud handle file conflicts?

Accepted Answer

If two devices modify the same file at the same time, Nextcloud creates a conflict file so you can review both versions. This prevents accidental data loss.

Question 16

Can I pause or limit syncing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can pause syncing at any time or set bandwidth limits to reduce network usage, which is useful on metered or slow connections.

Question 17

How reliable is the Nextcloud sync client?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud uses a robust syncing engine designed for large files, high-volume changes, and long-running sessions. It automatically retries failed uploads and resumes interrupted transfers.

Question 18

What is Nextcloud file sharing?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud file sharing lets you share individual files and folders with other people while keeping control over access to your data.

You can share with other Nextcloud users or, where external sharing is enabled, use sharing links to give access to people outside your Nextcloud account.

Question 19

How do I share a file in Nextcloud?

Accepted Answer

To share a file in Nextcloud, select the file or folder and choose the sharing option. You can then share it with another user or create a sharing link, depending on your Nextcloud configuration.

Sharing permissions can be used to control what recipients can do with the shared content.

Question 20

Can I share Nextcloud files with someone who does not have an account?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Nextcloud can allow files and folders to be shared with people who do not have a Nextcloud account through sharing links.

External sharing must be enabled by the administrator, and additional access controls can be applied depending on your configuration.
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Question 21

Can Nextcloud sharing links be password protected?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Nextcloud sharing links can be protected with a password when password protection is enabled for the share. This adds an additional layer of access control when sharing files or folders with external recipients.

Question 22

Can I set an expiry date on a Nextcloud sharing link?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Nextcloud supports expiration dates for sharing links where this feature is enabled. An expiry date can automatically prevent access to a shared file or folder after a specified period.

Question 23

Can I control what people can do with shared Nextcloud files?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Nextcloud provides sharing permissions that can control how recipients interact with shared files and folders.

Depending on the type of share and your configuration, permissions can allow or restrict actions such as viewing, downloading, editing or resharing content.

Question 24

Can I share an entire folder in Nextcloud?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Nextcloud allows you to share individual files as well as entire folders. Sharing a folder can make it easier to collaborate with colleagues, clients or other users who need access to multiple files in one place.

Question 25

Is Nextcloud file sharing secure?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud is designed to provide private file storage and sharing with access controls that help you decide who can access your files. Security also depends on how Nextcloud is configured and hosted, including authentication, permissions, encryption and server security.

Question 26

What makes Nextcloud private?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud is designed to give you greater control over your data by allowing files and services to be hosted on infrastructure you choose. With private Nextcloud hosting, your data is managed within your own cloud environment rather than being stored on a large consumer cloud platform.

Question 27

Does Nextcloud protect my personal data?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud provides features designed to help protect your data, including access controls, encryption options and account security features. How your data is ultimately protected also depends on the hosting environment, configuration and security practices used by your provider.

Question 28

Where is my Nextcloud data stored?

Accepted Answer

With Permafiles, your Nextcloud data is hosted on European infrastructure. This gives you greater control over where your data is stored and provides an alternative to mainstream consumer cloud storage services.
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Question 29

Does Nextcloud give me ownership of my data?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud gives you greater control over your files and data because you can choose where your cloud environment is hosted and how it is managed. With Permafiles, your data is stored within your private Nextcloud hosting environment and remains under your control.

Question 30

Is Nextcloud more private than Google Drive or Dropbox?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud can provide greater control over data location, access and hosting because it can be deployed on infrastructure chosen by the user or organisation. Permafiles provides managed private Nextcloud hosting as an alternative to mainstream consumer cloud storage services.

Question 31

Does Permafiles use my data for advertising or profiling?

Accepted Answer

Permafiles provides private cloud hosting rather than an advertising-supported consumer storage service. We do not use customer files to build advertising profiles. How personal information is handled is explained in our Privacy Policy.

Question 32

How does Nextcloud protect my files?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud uses multiple security layers, including HTTPS/TLS transport security, server-side encryption, optional end-to-end encryption and access controls. The exact protection depends on how the service is configured.
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Question 33

How does Nextcloud handle user authentication?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud supports secure authentication methods including two-factor authentication (2FA), hardware security keys (WebAuthn), time-based one-time passwords (TOTP), and OAuth2.

Question 34

How does Nextcloud prevent unauthorized access?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud includes brute-force protection, login rate limiting, IP blocking, session management, and automatic logout policies to prevent unauthorized access attempts.

Question 35

Does Nextcloud encrypt data during transfer?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All data transferred between your device and the server is protected using HTTPS/TLS encryption, preventing interception or tampering during transit.

Question 36

Does Nextcloud comply with GDPR?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud is designed to support strong privacy and security controls. When hosted on Permafiles, the service is operated within European-hosted infrastructure and is subject to the applicable data-protection requirements described in the privacy policy.

Question 37

Does Nextcloud support end-to-end encryption?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for supported folders and use cases. When end-to-end encryption is enabled, files are encrypted on the device before upload, providing protection against server-side access to the unencrypted file contents.

Question 38

Can I use hardware security keys with Nextcloud?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Nextcloud supports WebAuthn, allowing you to log in using FIDO2 hardware keys such as YubiKey for strong, phishing-resistant authentication.

Question 39

Are Nextcloud apps secure?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud apps vary in their security characteristics. Their security depends on the app, its source, permissions, configuration and how the Nextcloud environment is maintained.

Question 40

How does Nextcloud protect shared links?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud allows you to secure shared links with passwords, expiration dates, download limits, and access restrictions. You can also disable resharing to maintain full control.

Question 41

How does Nextcloud detect suspicious activity?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud includes built-in logging, audit trails, and admin notifications for unusual login attempts, file access patterns, and system changes, helping you identify potential threats quickly.

Question 42

What are Nextcloud apps?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud apps are add-on applications that extend the functionality of your Nextcloud private cloud. They can add features such as file management, calendars, contacts, email, photos, video calls, music, podcasts and other collaboration tools.

Question 43

Which Nextcloud apps are available?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud has a large ecosystem of apps covering many different uses. Popular applications include Files, Photos, Talk, Mail, Calendar and Contacts, along with apps for music, podcasts, tasks, documents and other productivity and collaboration features.

Question 44

Which Nextcloud apps are included with Permafiles?

Accepted Answer

Permafiles pre-installs a selection of popular and useful Nextcloud apps so they are ready to use when you log in. These include file management, photos, Talk, Mail, Calendar, Contacts, Music, Radio and Podcasts, with the available apps depending on your plan and current service configuration.
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Question 45

Can I add more apps to Nextcloud?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud supports a wide range of additional apps, allowing you to extend your private cloud with new features. The apps available to install can depend on your hosting environment, administrator settings and compatibility with your Nextcloud version.

Question 46

Can I use Nextcloud apps on my phone?

Accepted Answer

Many Nextcloud features can be accessed from mobile devices through compatible Nextcloud apps and mobile clients. This allows you to access files, photos, calendars, contacts and other services while away from your computer.

Question 47

Does Nextcloud have apps for video calls and messaging?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Nextcloud Talk provides video calls, voice calls, messaging and screen sharing within your Nextcloud environment. It can provide a convenient way for teams and other users to communicate alongside their files and other Nextcloud applications.

Question 48

Can I edit documents with Nextcloud apps?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Nextcloud can be extended with applications and integrations for working with documents online. The exact editing features available depend on the apps and integrations installed on your Nextcloud service.

Question 49

Is Nextcloud secure?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud includes a range of security features designed to protect files and user accounts, including encryption options, access controls, secure sharing and two-factor authentication.

The overall security of a Nextcloud installation also depends on how the server is configured, maintained and hosted.

Question 50

Is Nextcloud a cloud storage service?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Nextcloud can be used as a private cloud storage solution for storing, accessing, syncing and sharing files across computers, tablets and smartphones.

The difference is that Nextcloud is open-source software that can be hosted on your own infrastructure or by a hosting provider.

Question 51

What is Nextcloud?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud is an open-source private cloud platform that lets you store, sync, share and collaborate on files and other data.

Unlike many public cloud services, Nextcloud can be hosted on infrastructure you control or through a Nextcloud hosting provider, giving you greater control over your data, privacy and access.
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Question 52

What is the difference between Nextcloud and Google Drive?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud and Google Drive both provide cloud file storage, syncing and sharing, but they use different approaches. Google Drive is a centrally managed cloud service operated by Google, while Nextcloud is open-source software that can be self-hosted or provided through a hosting company.

Nextcloud is therefore particularly suited to users who want greater control over where their data is hosted.

Question 53

Can I share files with other people using Nextcloud?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Nextcloud allows you to share files and folders with other users and can provide sharing links for people who do not have an account.

Sharing permissions can be configured to control who can access or edit shared content.

Question 54

What is Nextcloud used for?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud is used for private cloud storage, file sharing, file synchronization and online collaboration.

Depending on the apps installed, it can also provide calendars, contacts, tasks, video calls, online document editing and other productivity features in one platform.

Question 55

Is Nextcloud open source?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Nextcloud is open-source software that provides the foundation for private cloud storage, file synchronisation, sharing and collaboration.

With Permafiles, you don't need to install or manage Nextcloud yourself. We provide managed Nextcloud hosting with Nextcloud and popular apps already installed and configured, so you can start using your private cloud without needing your own server or technical expertise.

We take care of the underlying hosting and maintenance, allowing you to focus on your files, collaboration and day-to-day use of Nextcloud.

Question 56

Is Nextcloud private?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Nextcloud can provide a private cloud environment where you control where your data is stored and who can access it.

Because Nextcloud can be hosted on infrastructure selected by the user or organisation, data does not have to be stored within the infrastructure of a large consumer cloud provider.

Question 57

Can I use Nextcloud on my phone and computer?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Nextcloud provides desktop and mobile applications that allow you to access and synchronise your files across supported devices.

This means files stored in your private cloud can remain available across computers, tablets and smartphones.

Question 58

Can Nextcloud replace Dropbox or OneDrive?

Accepted Answer

Nextcloud can provide many of the core features people use Dropbox or OneDrive for, including file storage, synchronisation, sharing and access across devices.

It can also offer additional collaboration tools through its apps. Whether it is a complete replacement depends on the features and integrations you need.

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