# Is MEGA Safe? Security and Privacy Risks Explained In this article - [How Does MEGA Cloud Storage Protect Your Files?](#how-does-mega-cloud-storage-protect-your-files?) - [Does MEGA.nz Scan Your Files?](#does-mega.nz-scan-your-files?) - [MEGA Security Vulnerabilities: What You Should Know](#mega-security-vulnerabilities:-what-you-should-know) - [Is MEGA Safe for Photos, Documents and File Sharing?](#is-mega-safe-for-photos,-documents-and-file-sharing?) - [The Best Alternative to MEGA For Storing and Sharing Files](#the-best-alternative-to-mega-for-storing-and-sharing-files) In this article- [How Does MEGA Cloud Storage Protect Your Files?](#how-does-mega-cloud-storage-protect-your-files?) - [Does MEGA.nz Scan Your Files?](#does-mega.nz-scan-your-files?) - [MEGA Security Vulnerabilities: What You Should Know](#mega-security-vulnerabilities:-what-you-should-know) - [Is MEGA Safe for Photos, Documents and File Sharing?](#is-mega-safe-for-photos,-documents-and-file-sharing?) - [The Best Alternative to MEGA For Storing and Sharing Files](#the-best-alternative-to-mega-for-storing-and-sharing-files) [Blog](/blog/)/Is MEGA Safe? Security and Privacy Risks Explained Security # Is MEGA Safe to Use for Storing Private Files? October 14, 20265 min readYou trust a cloud storage provider, assuming it offers the best security, only to discover it has a history of data breaches. There have been numerous debates revolving around whether MEGA is safe or not. The platform does offer true end-to-end encryption but does not offer [post quantum encryption](/post-quantum-encryption/) and has some past security vulnerabilities.In this blog, we will take a look at how MEGA protects your files from external threats as well as guarantees file privacy. We will also discuss whether this cloud storage platform is safe for sensitive files or not. Additionally, you can check out a [secure alternative to MEGA](/alternatives/mega/), one that offers file privacy, security and post quantum encryption for your files. ## How Does MEGA Cloud Storage Protect Your Files? In terms of security, MEGA uses client side, end-to-end encryption to protect your files. This means that your files are encrypted locally on your device before being uploaded to their server. MEGA does not store or manage your decryption keys and they cannot technically access your data.Just like [DragBin's encrypted cloud storage](/end-to-end-encryption/), MEGA too is a [zero knowledge cloud](/blog/zero-knowledge-cloud-storage/) where only you can access your files. Their [official security documentation](https://help.mega.io/security/data-protection/zero-knowledge-encryption) explicitly states that "no third party--including MEGA--can view the data's contents." Essentially, you are the sovereign master of your own files and your "private key always remains encrypted on MEGA's servers and is never shared." ## Does MEGA.nz Scan Your Files? Since MEGA is end-to-end encrypted, it does not scan your files using manual or automated systems. As already discussed, it protects your files in a zero knowledge security architecture and cannot read your contents. MEGA's [Terms of Service](https://mega.io/terms) mentions that it generates "encrypted previews of images, videos and certain other types of files" alongside limited metadata which it does not reveal.Unlike [Dropbox](/blog/is-dropbox-secure/) or [Google Drive which scans your files](/blog/does-google-drive-scan-your-files/), you can trust MEGA.nz in terms of file privacy. That being said, MEGA can act against files that violate its rules, including copyright-infringing material. It can investigate public links and and copyright holders can report infringing links for removal. ## MEGA Security Vulnerabilities: What You Should Know MEGA has its own set of flaws and history of security vulnerabilities which has led to many doubts about security and file privacy. Some of these are :- In 2013, security researcher Steve Thomas, known as Sc00bz, released a tool called MegaCracker. It could extract password hashes from MEGA account-confirmation links and attempt to crack them using dictionary attacks. Users with weak or predictable passwords were particularly vulnerable to this approach. - Ars Technica in 2013, raised concerns about the randomness used to generate cryptographic keys in MEGA's browser-based implementation. Researchers questioned whether the JavaScript-based key-generation process provided sufficient entropy. This was essential for making encryption keys difficult to predict and MEGA responded by pledging a change. - In September, 2018, MEGA's Chrome extension, version 3.39.4 was compromised by an attacker. It could be used to steal credentials submitted through websites, including login information for Google, Microsoft, GitHub and Amazon. - In June 2022, researchers from ETH Zurich identified five vulnerabilities in MEGA's cryptographic architecture. These were reported to MEGA and demonstrated that an attacker controlling MEGA's backend infrastructure could exploit the integrity of user data by attacking the TLS connection. That being said, MEGA acknowledged that no accounts were compromised by such an attack. - In 2023, researchers examined additional weaknesses in MEGA's cryptographic design, publishing them in 'Caveat Implementor! Key Recovery Attacks on MEGA'. They described methods that could exploit an encryption oracle and differences in how the authentication process handled errors to recover parts of a user's RSA private key. Following this, MEGA worked with the researchers and released an upgraded web client in March 2023. These instances reveal how real compromises can occur, much like the 2018 Chrome extension incident and the ongoing scrutiny of encryption standards. Vulnerabilities should not equate to a breach but it reveals how the security architecture can be undermined. These doubts have pushed users to search for a secure alternative to MEGA in the long run. ## Is MEGA Safe for Photos, Documents and File Sharing? Even though MEGA offers a private cloud storage on the surface, there are various file limitations and lack of post quantum encryption. Despite offering 20 GB of free storage, there are transfer/download quota limitations imposed on users. This makes it incredibly difficult if you have to [send large videos](/blog/how-to-send-large-video-files/) or full photo galleries.MEGA cloud storage lacks post quantum encryption and end-to-end encryption alone cannot combat "[Harvest Now, Decrypt Later](/blog/quantum-computing-cloud-storage/)" threats. Google has set a 2029 timeline for post quantum migration, addressing this concern. For this reason, DragBin offers both E2EE + post quantum encryption to protect your files from current threats plus future quantum threats. ## The Best Alternative to MEGA For Storing and Sharing Files DragBin offers client side, end-to-end encryption plus post quantum encryption as an additional layer of security. We offer complete metadata protection in a zero knowledge security architecture, where nobody can see your files. Unlike MEGA, we do not impose any file restrictions or download quota restrictions.Take a look at how DragBin compares to MEGA at a glance :Post-quantum encryptionDragBinYesMEGANoTransfer LimitsDragBinNoMEGAYesTeam pricingDragBinUnified team pricingMEGAPer user pricing increases cost for teamsFree StorageDragBin5 GBMEGA20 GBSupportDragBinYesMEGAOnly for paid usersMetadata ProtectionDragBinYesMEGANoBandwidth limitsDragBinUnlimitedMEGALimitedReal time team collaborationDragBinYesMEGANoFeaturesDragBinMEGAPost-quantum encryptionYesNoTransfer LimitsNoYesTeam pricingUnified team pricingPer user pricing increases cost for teamsFree Storage5 GB20 GBSupportYesOnly for paid usersMetadata ProtectionYesNoBandwidth limitsUnlimitedLimitedReal time team collaborationYesNoAs one of the best alternatives to MEGA cloud storage, DragBin offers :- Unlimited bandwidth, unlimited file size upload and unlimited sharing within the plan - [Advanced link management](/blog/secure-file-sharing/) with password protection, expiring links, one-time watch, view and download limit among others - [Secure folder sharing](/blog/folder-sharing/) and Integrated global CDN for fast uploads/downloads Our security and privacy features extend to all of our users, including those on the [free cloud storage plan](/free-cloud-storage/). [DragBin for Creators](/creators/) and [DragBin for Business](/business/) is loaded with complete workflow features, offering a consolidated end-to-end encrypted workspace. You can read more about our security features in our detailed [security whitepaper](/whitepaper/).[Switch to DragBin](https://app.dragbin.com/signup) Share this article Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare via EmailCopy link secure by design ## Experience end-to-end encryption with DragBin Protect your sensitive files with zero-knowledge, post-quantum encryption. Try DragBin and truly own your data. [Start free](https://app.dragbin.com/signup) Newsletter ## Stay updated on security trends The latest privacy and security insights, delivered to your inbox. Subscribe Keep reading ## Related articles [August 28, 2026-7 min read ### Is Proton Drive Safe? Privacy and Security Explained Is Proton Drive safe? Learn how Proton Drive protects your files, what its encryption secures, its privacy limitations and what to consider before choosing it. Read article](/blog/is-proton-drive-safe/)[June 8, 2026-9 min read ### Is Dropbox Secure? Understanding Dropbox Security Features and Privacy Risks Is Dropbox secure? Explore Dropbox encryption methods, privacy practices, past breaches, e2ee and whether your files are truly private and protected or not. Read article](/blog/is-dropbox-secure/)[July 28, 2026-10 min read ### Zero Knowledge Cloud Storage: What It Is & Why It Matters Learn what zero knowledge cloud storage is, how client-side encryption protects your files, why it matters and how to choose the best private cloud storage. Read article](/blog/zero-knowledge-cloud-storage/) --- Canonical: https://www.dragbin.com/blog/is-mega-safe