Just a quick question, why would someone use the IMPI app and pay for secure backup as opposed to using a free app with DropBox automatic backup?
Thanks for the question. Unfortunately it isn't a short answer, but here goes:
1. Data sovereignty: Data stored on any US-based cloud is subject to US laws and therefore also the Patriot Act. This act states that data stored by non-US citizens can be accessed without a warrant (and data belonging to US citizens can be accessed only once a FISA court has issued a warrant.) IMPI has dedicated servers located inside a European data center and we never use cloud computing for data storage.
2. According to Steve Wozniak, the cloud is not secure for a number of reasons. You can read more about it over here:
http://www.wired.com/insights/2012/08/is-woz-right/
3. IMPI is a local developer of solutions aimed at enhancing your mobile lifestyle security. We are constantly expanding on the functionality that our users have via their secure online vaults so as to increase our value proposition. Android users can also:
- Backup mobile data
- Protect against mobile malware
- Use our Permission Examiner to gain insight into the permissions used by installed applications
- Control costs with our expense manager
You can grab our Mobile Security app for Android over here:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.impi&hl=en The anti-malware and permission examiner features are completely free and you only need to subscribe for a vault if you want to backup your mobile data. (We are currently redoing the user interface, so you can expect a more polished look shortly.)
4. We will be releasing IMPI Remote Control in the foreseeable future. Users will then be able to log into their vault in order to use the following functionality (at no additional cost):
- Track and plot a missing or stolen device
- Remotely wipe the data on the device
- Remotely change the device access credentials to avoid unauthorized access and
- Use stealth mode to snap pics and stream the microphone
5. We specialize in security and you can verify that by doing an independent comparison between our web url (
www.impi.net) and that of Dropbox (
www.dropbox.com). Qualsys SSL labs lets you do this by simply entering the applicable URL on this website:
www.ssllabs.com Our security has not as yet been breached and we really hope to keep it this way, but only a fool will go around saying they are 100% secure - we all know that is not possible on the internet.
6. Your support will help fund our ongoing research and development and that will enable us to expand the functionality that we offer our users. We aim to empower our users with total ownership of their data and for more on this, please refer to the terms and conditions on our website.
7. It is early days for us and we will continuously improve on what we already offer. If you have any suggestions, or need information or assistance, please email us on
[email protected]
PS: Although many in SA may make a connection between our name and a Zulu warrior, it is actually an acronym for International Mobile Protection Initiative. At least we are warriors to some extent: for the privacy and security of our users!