Browser Encryption or Private Encryption: Which One?
When you send a document to someone through a third-party service, you naturally expect that they will be the only one able to view it. That's common sense. Whether it's a professional document or a personal file, the content belongs to its owner and should only be accessible to the recipients they have explicitly authorized.
| Browser encryption | Private encryption | |
|---|---|---|
| Turning it on | Automatic, on every transfer | An option you tick when sending |
| Where the file is encrypted | In your browser, before sending | In your browser, with your recipient's key |
| What opens the file | The download link, which carries the key | Your recipient's private key, or a decryption code you give them yourself |
| Good to know | Anyone with the link can open the file: share it with care. | Your private key is protected by a passphrase only you know. You can let OWL Transfer keep it for you, encrypted, or keep it yourself: it will then be asked for each time you download a private file. |
| Best for | Everyday transfers | Contracts, personal data, client files |
| Plans | All plans | Paid plans |
The right choice for each situation
Family photos
Browser encryption
A contract to sign
Private encryption
A document to show only once
OneTimeView
Is end-to-end encryption the same as PGP encryption?
End-to-End Encryption and PGP are two complementary but distinct concepts. End-to-End Encryption describes the security architecture used during a file transfer. PGP is the cryptographic technology that implements this architecture using a key pair: a public key and a private key unique to each user. On OWL Transfer, these two technologies are inseparable: when you enable end-to-end encryption, private PGP encryption is automatically used.
Is end-to-end encryption considered a Zero-Knowledge architecture?
Yes, in the advanced mode where you keep your own private key. In this case, OWL Transfer never holds your private key and will never be able to decrypt your files. This approach falls under what is called a Zero-Knowledge architecture, where the platform never possesses the information needed to access your data.
Yet on most file transfer platforms, this is not always guaranteed from a technical standpoint. When end-to-end encryption is not used, files can be read and decrypted on the provider's servers for processing or to enable certain features. This means the service provider technically has the ability to access your file contents.
At OWL Transfer, we believe that a document should never be readable by anyone you have not explicitly authorized. End-to-end encryption isn't just a privacy promise - it's a technical architecture that makes accessing your files impossible.
With this technology, encryption happens directly on your device (Client-Side Encryption), before the file is even uploaded. OWL Transfer's servers never receive a readable version of your document - they only transport encrypted data. The file is only decrypted on the authorized recipient's device, using the corresponding key.
End-to-end encryption is today one of the most advanced technologies for secure file sharing and confidential document transfer.
End-to-End Encryption with PGP
End-to-End Encryption and PGP are two complementary but distinct concepts. End-to-End Encryption describes the security architecture used during a file transfer. PGP is the cryptographic technology that implements this architecture using a key pair: a public key and a private key unique to each user.
On OWL Transfer, these two technologies are inseparable: when you enable end-to-end encryption, private encryption is automatically used. To use this feature, you need an key pair. You can either generate your keys directly on the OWL Transfer platform or import an existing key pair. Your recipient does not need an account: if they have no key, a decryption code is generated in your browser.
Two Usage Modes: Automatic & Advanced
Users who prefer full control can keep their own private key. In this mode, the key is never stored by OWL Transfer and remains exclusively in the hands of its owner.
We made this choice for a simple reason: to let you decide how much control you want to keep over your data. If you prefer simplicity, OWL Transfer can automatically manage encryption keys for you (default mode). If you want full control, you can keep your own key.
In this configuration, OWL Transfer never holds your private key and will never be able to decrypt your files - a true Zero-Knowledge architecture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is private encryption suitable for sensitive documents?
Yes. Private encryption is one of the most robust technologies for transferring confidential documents. It ensures that only authorized recipients can decrypt and access your file contents, regardless of the transit server.
Is end-to-end encryption enabled by default?
No. End-to-end encryption is an option you enable when sending a file. It requires an key pair, which you can generate directly on the platform or import if you already have one. Your recipient does not need an account: if they have no key, a decryption code is generated in your browser.