Is WeTransfer Safe for Sending Files? What You Need to Know!

March 15, 2024 By Janne Smith No Comments 7 minutes

With 80 million active monthly users, WeTransfer is making strides as a cloud-based file-sharing solution. And here’s the fun part – it’s free. Despite how exciting everything free sounds, it’s essential to be mindful of the threats unpaid services invite, such as data breaches and malware installation in your device.

The best way out is always to use FastestVPN to safely navigate the digital landscape. On the other hand, other safety measures include mindfulness of not sharing files containing sensitive information, changing user passwords, and much more.

Jumping back to WeTransfer security concerns, this article provides a walkthrough of the platform’s encryption, file authentication, and the essential safety steps for all users.

Note: We recommend FastestVPN for enhanced digital protection. Connect to one of the high-speed servers and spoof your IP address. With this, the black hats can never trace you online – let alone steal the data.

What is WeTransfer?

WeTransfer, a platform for over 80 million users, is an online file transfer service designed to exchange large files seamlessly over the Internet. It proves especially useful when files are too big for conventional email attachments or when users wish to bypass email storage limitations.

To use We Transfer, visit its site or app and upload the files to WeTransfer’s servers. Along with that, you’re provided with a download link. You’ll get this either through email or directly from the sender. We Transfer temporarily stores the files for a predetermined duration, during which you can access and download them.

Features of WeTransfer

Here are the top WeTransfer’s features that make it a prominent choice for millions of users:

• Quick file sharing
• Safe and secure sharing
• Organized workspaces
• Allows user feedback on the shared files

Using WeTransfer

Here’s how you can access and use WeTransfer to send files:

• Visit westransfer.com and upload files from your computer.
• Click the three dots for options like “Send email transfer” or “Get transfer link.”
• For email transfers, provide your and the recipient’s email addresses and include a message.
• Click “Transfer,” and WeTransfer generates a unique download link sent to both parties.
• The link is active for seven days (free) or longer for paid users.
• Recipients can access the files on a WeTransfer page by clicking the link.

Is WeTransfer Free?

We Transfer is free, but this comes with specific file-sharing limitations as well. It only allows you to share files up to 2 GB, and the files shared can only be downloaded within 7 days. On the other hand, We Transfer offers paid plans, too. These plans are further categorized into

• Yearly Subscriptions

• Monthly Subscriptions

Speaking of both, we’ve attached images of both plans – as featured on its original site.

Is We Transfer Safe?

We Transfer is a secure platform for file transfers, but ensure the files don’t contain sensitive information. The provider asserts its commitment to security through partnerships with two independent firms that offer:

• Security consultation
• System monitoring
• Routine penetration testing

Additionally, We Transfer uses ethical “white-hat” hackers to identify potential vulnerabilities in its services.

To enhance its monitoring capabilities for phishing, spam, and other malicious content, WeTransfer security concerns have led to a collaboration with Microsoft. It uses threat intelligence for a more effective defense against such threats. Along with that, the following contribute to the platform’s security:

1. The Two-factor Authentication

WeTransfer offers two-factor authentication (2FA) as a security measure for users creating accounts. This feature requires a password and validates identity through a mobile authentication app.

2. Dedicated User Passwords

For Pro and Premium subscribers, WeTransfer security concerns lead to an exclusive feature allowing the option to safeguard each transfer with a dedicated password. This added security measure makes sure that only authorized people with the password can access the shared files.

3. Robust Data Encryption

WeTransfer security concerns lead to the usage of an encrypted tunnel for every shared file to enhance file security. Files are uploaded to the company’s servers via a secure Transport Layer Security (TLS) connection. Once stored, the files undergo an additional layer of encryption using Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)-256.

Does WeTransfer Keep a Copy of Files?

Yes, it does keep a copy of your files. According to WeTransfer, it keeps a copy of the files on its servers. Following that, the copies it creates are deleted after 7 days. However, the period stretches to 28 days for premium subscribers.

What Are the Risks of WeTransfer?

One of the common risks involves a WeTransfer security breach. And the list stretches longer than you expected. Here are the common risks of WeTransfer free plan:

1. Compliance with European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Being based in Amsterdam, WeTransfer complies with GDPR. This makes the company process and store user data of all European users. Along with that, WeTransfer also complies with the Dutch Personal Data Protection Act.

On the other hand, this cloud-based file-sharing platform doesn’t comply with US laws, i.e., it doesn’t have to stand with HIPAA regulations. Despite it aligning with the European data protection standards, there’s a lot more it doesn’t comply with – making it a real threat:

• PCI Data Security Standard
• FISMA
• AICPA Service Organization Controls Standard

2. Third-Party Access and Data Leaks

The free version is prone to data leaks since the company encrypts files and user data only during transmission and storage without password protection of the WeTransfer free plan. This feature is only available for the paid subscribers. Consequently, the download link’s format is accessible to unauthorized individuals.

3. Data Breaches and Phishy Links

While the WeTransfer free plan generally garners wide popularity through its ease of use, you must also realize the same ease black hats feel. While WeTransfer security concerns lead to an active prevention of cybercriminals from exploiting its services, the company cannot assure complete immunity from hackers.

Hackers often leverage WeTransfer to create malicious URLs or files containing malware, disseminating them to unsuspecting internet users via anonymous emails. You must be cautious by refraining from clicking on suspicious links or downloading files that were not anticipated on your WeTransfer free plan.

The Common WeTransfer Scams

As aforementioned, don’t open phishing links or files you weren’t expecting to receive, as these can often lead to a WeTransfer security breach. WeTransfer security concerns often relate to malicious files and opening those links. To further elevate the security standards, consider using FastestVPN to ensure enhanced protection from malicious links.

Phishing Emails for Malware Distribution

This is the most common type of WeTransfer security breach. The scammer creates or already has a WeTransfer free account through which he sends a phishing email that always seems legit. However, upon opening the link, you realize the threat it was.

What Are the Alternatives to WeTransfer?

There’s a list of free cloud storage options; we also have a separate article on that. For a quick overview, here are the best WeTransfer alternatives:

1. Microsoft OneDrive

OneDrive, Microsoft’s cloud storage and file-sharing service, allows users to store and share files with seamless integration into Microsoft Office applications.

2. Dropbox

Dropbox, a cloud storage and file-sharing service permits users to upload and share files through shareable links. It provides both free and paid plans featuring different storage capacities.

3. Google Drive

Google Drive is a file hosting, sharing, and synchronization platform seamlessly integrating with various Google services. It offers substantial free storage options along with paid plans for expanded storage. Meanwhile, it’s a safe storage solution too.

Wrapping Up

In this article, we answered, “Is WeTransfer safe?” While this cloud-based file-sharing platform is generally safe, the real threat is its ease of use, which can go the other way around.

To avoid WeTransfer scams, we recommend FastestVPN. It avoids malware installation and spoofs your IP so that you never become a victim of the black hats.

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