How to Send Secure Files Online in 2025: Why Zero Trust Beats Dropbox and WeTransfer 

In today’s digital world, file sharing is a daily necessity. Whether you’re a lawyer sending confidential contracts, an accountant handling sensitive financials, or a tenant sharing ID with a property agent—how you transfer files matters more than ever. 

Yet, the irony is hard to ignore: the platforms millions rely on—Dropbox, WeTransfer, Google Drive—might not be as secure as you think. In this guide, we explore the risks of traditional platforms, what "zero trust" really means, and how Key and Box offers a fundamentally more secure way to share files. 

Table of Contents 

1. Why Secure File Transfer Matters in 2025 

2. How Dropbox and WeTransfer Really Work 

3. The Problem: Who Holds the Keys? 

4. What Is Zero Trust File Sharing? 

5. Why Key and Box Is Different 

6. Honest Comparison: Dropbox vs. WeTransfer vs. Key and Box 

7. Tips for Safer File Transfers 

8. Conclusion and Next Steps 

9. Use Case: Law Firm Onboarding 

10. FAQs 

1. Why Secure File Transfer Matters in 2025 

Data breaches are costly and common. In 2023, IBM reported the average cost of a data breach at $4.45 million. Incidents like the 2024 Dropbox breach and MOVEit’s zero-day exploit show how crucial secure file transfers are. Often, breaches result from platforms retaining access to files, even if encrypted.  

2. How Dropbox and WeTransfer Really Work 

Convenience comes with risk. Dropbox and WeTransfer: 

Store files in the cloud 
Encrypt them but keep the keys 
Can access your data, as can hackers or governments 
Dropbox publicly admits it can access files, and WeTransfer uses Amazon S3, maintaining control over your stored data. 

3. The Problem: Who Holds the Keys? 

Encryption without control is not privacy. If a service provider holds the keys: 

Internal employees might access your files 
Hackers might steal them 
Governments might subpoena them 
In 2011, Dropbox allowed access to any account with just an email address—because users didn’t hold the keys. 

4. What Is Zero Trust File Sharing? 

Zero trust means no default trust. Every user, device, and request must be verified. In file sharing: 

Files are encrypted before upload 
Only the intended recipient can decrypt 
The provider is blind to your data 
Even if compromised, the platform cannot read your files.  

5. Why Key and Box Is Different 

Key and Box is zero trust by design. 
"If we can access your data, we’ve already failed." 

Key Features: 

End-to-end encryption on your device 
Client-side key management 
Identity verification and access controls 
Audit trails for transparency 
Secure sharing via expiring links—no app needed 

🔐 Try it now: Secure File Share Tool 

6. Honest Comparison: Dropbox vs. WeTransfer vs. Key and Box 

7. Tips for Safer File Transfers 

Boost your file security with these tips: 

Encrypt before upload using 7-Zip or Cryptomator 
Avoid email—it's prone to phishing 
Use VPNs on public Wi-Fi 
Set file expirations to limit access duration 

8. Conclusion and Next Steps 

Easy sharing doesn't mean secure sharing. Dropbox and WeTransfer prioritize convenience, not control. Key and Box lets you keep ownership of your data. 
Ready to upgrade your file security? 

Try Key and Box’s secure sharing tool today. 

9. Use Case: Law Firm Onboarding 

A UK-based law firm struggled with secure client onboarding, frequently using email to collect sensitive data like passports and financials. This created legal and reputational risks. Switching to Key and Box allowed them to implement end-to-end encryption, strict access controls, and audit trails—making their onboarding faster, safer, and GDPR-compliant. 

10. FAQs 

Q: Is Dropbox secure for confidential file sharing? 
A: No. Dropbox encrypts files but retains the keys, allowing potential third-party access. 

Q: Does WeTransfer offer end-to-end encryption? 
A: No. Files are encrypted in transit and at rest, but WeTransfer holds the keys. 

Q: What makes Key and Box different? 
A: End-to-end encryption, zero trust architecture, client-side key control, and detailed audit trails. 

Q: How does zero trust protect my data? 
A: It ensures that only the intended recipient—not even the platform—can decrypt your files. 

Q: Can I use Key and Box without installing an app? 
A: Yes. Key and Box uses secure browser-based links, no app installation needed. 

Q: Is Key and Box compliant with GDPR? 
A: Yes. Key and Box offers features like data minimization, access control, and logging—making it easy to comply with GDPR. 

Q: How do audit logs improve file sharing security? 
A: Audit logs show who accessed the file and when, increasing accountability and transparency. 

Q: What industries benefit most from zero trust file sharing? 
A: Legal, finance, healthcare, and any field handling sensitive or regulated information. 

Q: Is zero trust file sharing suitable for individuals? 
A: Absolutely. Anyone who values privacy—from journalists to freelancers—can benefit. 

Q: What happens if someone intercepts a file shared through Key and Box? 
A: Without the decryption key and authentication, intercepted files are unreadable and useless. 

Q: How long do files remain accessible on Key and Box? 
A: You control the expiration settings—files can be set to auto-delete after a set time or access. 

Q: What if I accidentally send a file to the wrong person? 
A: You can revoke access immediately through your Key and Box dashboard. 

Learn more: 

NIST Guide to Zero Trust 
EFF: Why End-to-End Encryption Matters