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Signed the Charter to strengthen trustworthy communication

Simpleum Media GmbH has signed the Charter to strengthen trustworthy communication and thus supports the federal government in its goal of making Germany the encryption site No. 1.

In the federal government’s Digital Agenda 2014-2017, the topic of security is:

“The federal government is committed to the goal of establishing security and protection in the internet in such a way that digitalization can unfold its full potential for society and the economy in Germany…  We support more and better encryption. We want to become encryption site No. 1 in the world. To do this, the encryption of private communication in the width should become the standard. ”

“Encryption must be self-evident”

Interview with Johannes Golombek, CEO Simpleum Media GmbH

How can a start-up like Simpleum support the objectives of the Charter?

“We have noticed that many private individuals, individual entrepreneurs and smaller companies often do not adequately serve the field of data security. This has many causes, often lack of knowledge or even complicated software is the reason that data encryption is not yet used.

Simpleum has developed the SimpleumSafe App for Apple Mac and iOS with the goal of providing a truly easy-to-use solution for strong encryption. We hope that user encryption will not be an extra expense, that no special training is necessary or other entry barriers exist.
As a start-up, we were able to develop a new solution from the ground up with the named targets and have successfully placed them on the market. ”

What does data encryption need to do today?

“A continuous encryption of data is important for private individuals, individual entrepreneurs and smaller companies. This means that they still have to remain encrypted after the first encryption, for example when the files are viewed or edited. This group of users often does not have the technical competence to professionally assure the computers and networks. So it is important that even on compromised computers the data is still protected. ”

What about data security in the cloud?

„Cloud-Dienste bieten viele neue Möglichkeiten, aber die Vergangenheit hat leider auch schon deutlich gezeigt, dass Daten per se in der Cloud nicht sicher sind. Hier ist mindestens eine Ende-zu-Ende Verschlüsselung notwendig, damit für den Fall, dass die Daten aus der Cloud gestohlen wurden, diese nicht einsehbar sind. Aus diesem Grund ist es bei unserer Lösung auch nicht möglich, aus der Cloud gestohlene Daten zu entschlüsseln, selbst wenn das Passwort bekannt ist.

Mit diesen Konzepten finden wir als deutsche Firma sehr viel Zuspruch. Auch von Kunden aus dem Ausland, die bei Sicherheit auf Made in Germany setzen und bewusst deutsche Lösungen suchen.“

“Cloud services offer many new opportunities, but the past has also clearly shown that data per se is not secure in the cloud. At least one end-to-end encryption is required here, so that if the data is stolen from the cloud, it is not visible. For this reason, with our solution SimpleumSafe, it is not possible to decrypt data stolen from the cloud even if the password is known.

As a German company, we find much agreement with these concepts. Also from customers from abroad who rely on Made in Germany for security and are consciously looking for German solutions.

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Password - 12 creative tips

1. Clean up online services and accounts

First, check where you use online services and own accounts. You will be surprised what has been unused for a long time. Spit up outdated accounts and services and delete them. Many of these old accounts still have weak passwords. If these have been hacked, your data, e-mail addresses, etc. will wander through the web.

If you are affected, react immediately!

Make the effort to clean up your accounts. It’s worth it!

2. For each account a new password

Give each of your remaining accounts an own password, this will give you higher security. If you have assigned a single password for all accounts, a hack puts all your accounts at risk.

3. Change passwords regularly

Make it a habit to change your passwords on a regular basis in all accounts. It is best to do so every 30 days, but at least every 90 days. If you have previously deleted superfluous accounts, this point will certainly be easier for you.

4. Use a password manager

To store all your passwords securely, be sure to use a password manager. Many password managers have a password generator that makes it easier for you to think about new passwords every month. You can also store your passwords encrypted in SimpleumSafe. The SimpleumSafe has a password check to test the suitability of new passwords.

5. Regularly set up updates

Security starts with the timeliness of your software. Stay up to date everywhere and always and follow the update notes as quickly as possible. This applies to operating systems, browsers, virus software, etc.

6. Use two-factor Authentication

In addition to a password (from memory or password manager), two-factor authentication requires further information generated by a device. As a result, an attacker must have your password and device. If an account offers the option for two-factor authentication, then use it.

7. Transfer password securely

Never enter your password on public computers, such as the Internet Café. If you use foreign Wi-Fi connections (e.g. café, hotel) then use a VPN service. They use encrypted channels to transfer your password to the respective system and you cannot be intercepted in the often unsafe Wi-Fi.

8. Never send passwords

Whether the boss, wife or neighbor is asking for: Never send your password by email, messenger, etc. Also, stay most attentive to pishing emails. Fake mail is becoming more and more professional and ask for your personal information to be shared. Your bank and other companies will never ask you by e-mail to send your confidential data.

9. No paper, no post-its

Never write down your passwords on paper! Also not if you  “hide it well ,” except you own a safe. Always save passwords encrypted. Best in a password manager or other encryption software. Also, don’t store your passwords unencrypted on the hard drive.

10. Security queries

For security queries, select only answers that only you can know on your own. Consider beforehand what information you have already shared through social networks. Because these are easy to spy on.

11. Secret

The security of your passwords depends primarily on keeping them (always) secret! Do not use paper, do not store them unencrypted, never send passwords etc.

12. Create new accounts thoughtful

In the future, think carefully about whether you really need to create a new account right away.

We hope to have helped you with our tips. Change your passwords regularly and delete your old accounts from time to time.

Sincerely yours
Simpleum Team

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20 good reasons for SimpleumSafe

Features and benefits at a glance

1. A safe place to store and archive all sensitive files encrypted throughout

SimpleumSafe works like a completed safe: a safe place for any type of file to be protected on a Mac or iPhone. An extra dose of security is guaranteed by the continuous encryption: even when the files are viewed and edited, they are encrypted throughout. SimpleumSafe takes a different path than most other encryption programs. Once authorized with a password, the files in the file system will not be provided. Otherwise, they would be completely vulnerable from that moment on. SimpleumSafe recreates its own file system and has its own finder. As a result, the files remain encrypted for all time.

2. File manager

The app’s user interface is designed like the Mac finder, so you are able to use the SimpleumSafe like a file manager.

The similarity to the Mac finder also offers the advantage of finding your way around the user interface quickly. All files imported into SimpleumSafe can be edited and organized. Any number of folders can be created and organizational structures can be created that fit the respective needs. Files can be marked as favorites and thus marked for quick access. An extensive catalogue of tags creates further organizational and sorting possibilities.

3. Organize and view files continuously encrypted

Files can be edited in external programs and are still encrypted throughout. For example, if a Word file, stored in the SimpleumSafe, is opened with Word and edited externally, all changes to the file will be available after the saving. Files can also be duplicated, copied, moved, renamed

4. Fotos and Videos

SimpleumSafe has an image viewer with a slideshow function. This allows you to look at several photos in a row without having to open or decrypt them. Everything happens comfortably in the SimpleumSafe.

5. Favorites and Tags

In SimpleumSafe, favorites and tags can make it easier to organize the files. If files have been tagged, they can be displayed in the sidebar. The tag catalogue is extensive and offers a wide range of topics.

6. Comments

Every single file in the Safe can be annotated.

7. Create notes

Using the .txt file, it is possible to create simple notes.

8. Import contacts

SimpleumSafe offers the possibility to import contacts (.vcf).

9. Take photos encrypted

An important feature of the iOS app is the ability to photograph encrypted. The taken photo is immediately stored encrypted in the SimpleumSafe and does not appear in the iOS photo archive.

10. Continuity Kamera

Since iOS 12, photos and scans can be inserted directly from the iPhone/iPad into programs on the Mac. SimpleumSafe works with this “Continuity-Camera ” feature.

11. Search function

SimpleumSafe has a search function to easily retrieve files. Texts from the comments are also recorded here. Searches can also be stored in the iOS app.

12. A plus in organization: Create several Safes

Several different Safes can be created in SimpleumSafe. For example, the Safes can be used thematically. Professional and private things can thus be stored separately. Those who value a clean organizational structure of their files may be well advised to create thematic Safes.

13. Unlimited and any size files

The number and overall size of the files is not limited by SimpleumSafe. Only the capacity of the memory used (hard drive, USB stick, cloud storage, etc.) can lead to limitation. From small text files to large video files, everything can be stored in SimpleumSafe.

14. Different locations – encrypt USB stick

A Safe can be stored in different places. On the Mac’s hard drive, on a flash drive, a network drive, or in the cloud.

In order to encrypt a flash drive drag & drop an existing Safe from the Mac finder to the flash drive. Or create a new Safe directly on the flash drive.

15. Time-Machine optimized

Each Safe has a format optimized for the Apple Time Machine backup.

16. Extreme Secure Synchronisation

SimpleumSafe allows the Safes to be synchronized between different devices (Mac, iPad, iPhone). There are currently three types of synchronization: iCloud, wireless (no Internet), or with a common folder (Mac to Mac only).
Even if the synchronization data was stolen from the cloud and the password became public, the data still cannot be decrypted. In addition to the password, the key file is also needed to decrypt a Safe. However, the key file is not transmitted directly from the cloud, but manually.

The data in the Safe cannot be found through the Mac Spotlight search.

17. Digital legacy

With the SimpleumSafe, it is also possible to regulate a digital estate. It is highly recommended during your lifetime to provide an overview of all accounts with usernames and passwords. This offers the bereaved families the opportunity to decide in the sense of the deceased what should happen to the “digital heritage ” on social networks etc. Passwords for online services, bank accounts, etc. can also be stored here and, if necessary, provided with notes. Important documents that regulate the estate will be found in the SimpleumSafe as well as a safe place, as well as online contracts etc. That Safe password can be deposited with the notary, for example.

18. Password-based and recovery password

SimpleumSafe is not a service you sign up for online. The software opens its own interface, similar to the Mac Finder, in which you must log in with a self-defined password. This way, you stay in control at all times. Simpleum and its employees have no access to your Safes and do not know your passwords. Just as a real Safe has a spare key, you can have a recovery password created in the SimpleumSafe that can be used like a spare key.

19. Continuous development

SimpleumSafe has been further developed since 2016. The subscription model introduced in 2023 improves the economy and thus also the future security of the app. Updates are released regularly.

20. GDPR compliant

SimpleumSafe is a suitable technical solution for the protection of digital personal data according to GDPR for Mac, iPhone and iPad.

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