JustSpeedy | 1241 points
hello there. a while ago i made a opensource project that lets you share Mega links without exposing the file id. this protects the uploader from dmca takedowns while at the same time letting the user download as much data as he wants w/o mega's bandwidth limits.
on more infos on how it works and what it does, please read the github readme: https://github.com/JohnDeved/megacrypt.js
If you know how to handle node.js. feel free to try it out right now.
this tool could be used locally by the user, but to be 100% secure it needs to be hosted as a web service. if there is any interest in it, we might be able to get this up and running for everyone. if someone is able to provide me with a host please let me know. otherwise i will use my private server for now as a temp solution, if people want me to. Be aware that download speeds would then take a hit tho
using the tool would then be as simple as clicking a link and downloading the file in your browser or your favourite download manager.
let me know what you think
edit: fyi atm im in contact with the mods, we really want to get this up and running. if you like to help us, feel free to throw me a pm.
If we could get this running it would be amazing! No more 5GB limit on large files!
[-] ace101boss | 47 points
I am 100% for this. If nobody steps up on this, is there any way to bundle the bandwidth bypass into a stand alone executable or something a layman can use?
[-] JustSpeedy | 46 points
Yes there is. But the problem with that would be that since you would decrypt the link on your local machine, you could probably get the file ID trough memory scanning or packet sniffing. Making the encryption not 100% secure for the uploader anymore. Also the point of having a private key is so that nobody can See it. If everybody has the private key, nothing will stop the dmca people from decrypting the link themselfs
[-] ShmebulockJunior | 29 points
If everyone has the private key, then, no one has the private key.
Would require a decent amount of work per file though?
[-] filipef101 | 1 points
nah
[-] Luchador1138 | 22 points
I sadly do all my downloads at the library would this be able to help someone like me since you mention download magangers? Or are you specifically talking about something like Jdownloader?
[-] JustSpeedy | 28 points
for the user its just a normal http(s) file download. you can download it however you want. jdownloader, freedownloadmanager, browser, wget. doesnt matter.
[-] Luchador1138 | -3 points
Sounds awesome, unfortunately can't download new programs to the PC's here at the library. And I can't bring down my desktop to the library so I'm S.O.L but the project sounds amazing hope you can get it off the ground.
[-] JustSpeedy | 36 points
there is no need to install anything. it will be a website. all you have to do is click the link and enjoy the download
if you mean install jdownloader just install it to your flash/external hdd and run it from there should work
[-] nicoknecha | 10 points
[-] OtochimarU | -21 points
Wow, where are you that there are still libraries around? (I don't really need to know where you are tho)
[-] Bodyguard121 | 12 points
Wow, such ignorance. Libraries are still very much around to this day and they are still very useful for people that are interested.
[-] OtochimarU | 4 points
I wasn't trying to be funny, they've closed 3 libraries near me. they are going extinct.
[-] Bodyguard121 | 7 points
Hmm, I see. Maybe its something exclusive to your country.
I don't get it. Where is this server that runs megacrypt.js running? And doesn't that server have all the problems mega has (bandwidth costs, takedown requests, etc)?
[-] JustSpeedy | 20 points
Yes. That is the problem rn. I have a Server that im using with the tool rn. But that Server wouldnt be able to support the bandwidth of the megalinks community. The dmca's wouldnt be that much of a problem, since there are loads of hosts that ignore dmca takedowns. All im tying to do with this post is to find out if there is interest in such a tool and if there are people here that are willing to help out set this thing up.
You can still use tool on your local machine tho, if you know how to use node.js
The dmca's wouldnt be that much of a problem, since there are loads of hosts that ignore dmca takedowns.
Whoever is running that server and ignoring DMCA requests is opening themselves up to legal issues if they have enough users to garner attention. It may well not be a problem, but I wouldn't do it personally.
Also, to Mega it would look like tons of files are getting downloaded from one IP address, the node.js server. Wouldn't Mega still bandwidth limit that IP? Not seeing how you are getting around that.
[-] JustSpeedy | 20 points
Where do you think torrent sites are hosted?
Nothing is keeping mega from trying to patch this, like lots of tools before this. but the matter of fact is that it works right now and people should use it as long as they still can
Yeah I just saw your other post about it seeming to be a loophole. That's awesome! And definitely thanks for putting this together. Wasn't trying to be negative, just wanted to make sure I understood what was going on.
[-] JustSpeedy | 13 points
No, your not beeing negative. I made this post to be able to awnser questions like this. And i welcome your input!
[-] ubergeek77 | 13 points
I think I can see how this keeps the link private (very cleverly done, I might add), but I don't understand how this gets around the bandwidth limit. Can you talk about that a little bit? Wouldn't the origin IP address seen by MEGA come from the server, thus imposing an overall download limit on the server hosting megacrypt?
[-] JustSpeedy | 14 points
Im honestly not sure why it bypasses the bandwidth limit, since i dont know how mega cecks how much a user downloaded. At first i only wanted to make a way to encrypt mega links securely and then i noticed that i could download 10gb+ Files without problems. That said tho, it will probably be possible for mega to patch this
[-] ubergeek77 | 14 points
On the bright side, the way you hide links is very well done, and I see a lot of potential for it. The most MEGA can do is impose a limit on how much a certain IP can download files, but even then, you could simply employ a pseudo-load-balancer and just distribute download requests to a new server with a different IP. For smaller communities, I don't see this being an issue. I think the important part is hiding links, and I think that's something we should work towards getting up as soon as possible.
Thank you for making this!
[-] JustSpeedy | 13 points
And thank you for the kind words. :) Yes keeping the links secure was the main goal of this project
Have you been running your private server more than a couple weeks? If not, it could just be a coincidence that you're able to bypass bandwidth limits? I've changed nothing with my setup in the last several weeks, but some days I'm able to bypass, some days not. I initially suspected it was related to throttling based on overall network traffic, but I can't seem to find a pattern on my end.
[-] JustSpeedy | 4 points
Mhm, could be. Well the project is about a month old now. And the bandwidth bypass worked on both my Server and my local machine.
But dont see the bandwidth bypass as the main feature of this tool tho. The main goal is to stop dmcas
[-] posidonius_of_rhodes | 6 points
Uh, i've downloaded more than 5GB at a time on more than one occasion recently. I think that's become more of a soft cap if Mega's servers begin to strain
[-] JustSpeedy | 2 points
Bysides of me using this tool for quite a while on different Computers. Somebody just msged me saying that it works great. But i have the feeling it will get patched in notime now
[-] posidonius_of_rhodes | 1 points
Well, I hope it becomes accessible in no time
[-] [deleted] | 1 points
[deleted]
[-] Jatin_Nagpal | 2 points
Nope, the limit is present for me.
[-] TheNASAguy | 10 points
I can make a simple Front End with GUI for it so that everyone can have at it, Wait for a couple of days, I'll post the Release here but I can only do windows for now, People on Linux and Mac will have to wait till I can afford a Mac.
[-] GiftoftheGeek | 9 points
If this gets off the ground I propose we name /u/JustSpeedy king of /r/megalinks.
[-] R3a1ityCheque | 5 points
First of his name!
Any way to make it so the average retard can use it?
[-] JustSpeedy | 7 points
Soon enough. There are quite a few people starting to host this site. Also the mods are interrested to get this setup for the community
[-] MeltedElon | 3 points
Seconded.
We gotta get you a patreon or some funding to make this a viable product. I get so much rage at 509's.
[-] JustSpeedy | 6 points
I thought about smth like that. But if people have to pay to keep the service running, they will probably rather just buy a mega premium account
[-] BobDole261 | 5 points
This is very impressive! Just wondering though, is there any way to have the links embedded in the page? It would be great for download managers that let you scan for all links on a page, like IDM
[-] callie8926 | 1 points
sounds like a very interesting project i will watch this subject.i would just add this thought i always wonder if someone could make something like a program that would enable people to make like a disposable webpage which only the user and creator would see and it would just last long enough for the file to be shared and at the end of the transfer both links would terminate i guess somewhat like off the record messaging.any way just thought i would add my thoughts.
[-] JustSpeedy | 4 points
Sounds like you are looking for a peer to peer file sharing site. :) There are allready sites that can do this!
[-] callie8926 | 1 points
i actually think i have some sites bookmarked so i will have to try some of them ans see which ones i like.!
so, if i want to use this in my pc locally, all i have to do is install nodejs, change the server key and i'm ready to go right?
[-] JustSpeedy | 6 points
Yes sir
[-] wherzwaldo93 | 1 points
what do I change the serverkey to??
I understand what you are doing, and why it's a great idea. unlimited bandwidth "for awhile", n00b friendly, one click in browser, protect uploader. But some things come to mind,
torrent sites are constantly being pushed around due to legal issues,
if this took off right, how would you protect it?
i am afraid if you do not protect the server and portal it will be a repeat of mp3skull and other services among many. the real trouble lies in the publicity and dedication to take it down. Mega will be losing their bandwidth and the Anti-P2P will be getting a hard on for this and i don't mean half chub. Both will work to single out users.
[-] OtochimarU | 3 points
I like this, I really do, don't know how to use it tho, how can I learn how to use it? could you make a tutorial or something like that and not post it on utube but post it here or share a private link to it. if made public the whole thing could die quickly.(I'm on mac, could I still use this?)
[-] Bodyguard121 | 3 points
Thanks a lot for this work man. This can be really useful. Unfortunately I dont know how to use it but just the fact that you are doing it deserves my thanks.
What's funny is that we're learning how to use node.js in class! I'm trying to get this running but when I open it it just closes. I don't know how to make it listen on the port.
Be aware that download speeds would then take a hit tho
That the problem for me, not all of us own blazing fast internet here in third world countries
I can provide a host until it gets taken down. What specs do you need on the server?
[-] gorillazacapellaYT | 2 points
Is there anyway this can be made into a website?
[-] JustSpeedy | 8 points
That is the plan
[-] DisastrousProgrammer | 2 points
Is there a dummies explanation? How is this better than base64 decode?
I wish I knew more about this to give you guys the help. This needs to happen. Good luck and I hope you guys can get it up and running.
[-] callie8926 | 1 points
nice i will have to search for a good one
[-] Monoraptor | 1 points
I see no reason why this shouldn’t be implemented. Nice work!
[-] LaurensLaugh | 1 points
Love to see where this is going. Keep us posted ok?
You could try heroku or firebase hosting, they are free. Dont know if it could support the whole community though.
Edit: Nvm they would definitely not support the whole community.
[-] ihavenogreypoupon | 1 points
It's a nice idea but I'm pretty sure the majority of community interest revolves around bypassing the download limit which we have no idea if it's a fluke or not. several users were able to download as much as they wanted for a while and then started getting bandwidth exceeded errors again. It looks like the server downloads from Mega and then the user downloads from the server - so if the server is out of bandwidth, the links are unusable, right?
[-] JustSpeedy | 3 points
if your sceptic, why dont try it out yourself? its on github for a reason.
[-] ihavenogreypoupon | -1 points
...because I have no experience of node.js and you being the author thought you might be able to answer a simple question. silly me, huh?
[-] JustSpeedy | 7 points
As i stated above. The bandwidth limit doesnt apply to the tool, it has been tested by multiple people by now.
[-] slowmotionrunner | 1 points
I'm equally skeptical of the OPs claim about getting around the bandwidth cap so I'm going to do some testing of my own -- and hopefully, figure out by what magic this is possible...
[-] MrTattyBojangles | 1 points
Sounds good!
[-] abuthemagician | 1 points
Can I run this on server 2012?
to help get people up and running on their own...
could you (OP) or someone put together a fully configured virtualbox VM appliance and upload it?
that way the people can just import that and run it for themselves on their own computer, bypassing the need for webservers that will be absolutely hammered...
I wish I was skilled enough to do this for myself and share, but I'm having enough trouble getting it up and running as it is or myself...
Is this a similar method as virtual credit card numbers? (virtual links):
https://lifehacker.com/privacy-lets-you-create-virtual-credit-card-numbers-1765849611
[-] redfanglicker | 1 points
so any approx timeline on when this will be implemented?
[-] DionysusParty | 1 points
YAY!!! A new alternative to this endless fight
[-] Chronic_Nose_Hair | 1 points
I'm loving this tool so far! However, I'm getting a huge decrease in download speed after generating a new link. If I download directly from Mega I get 30 MB/s down. If I download through Megacrypt I never get any more than 2.9 MB/s. Is this common?
[-] Chronic_Nose_Hair | 1 points
I also have a feature request for the future. It would be nice if there was a "download all" button and a "copy all" button for when the mega link contains multiple files.
So.. like megadownloader encode URL feature
[-] JustSpeedy | 9 points
Somewhat. But impossible to decrypt for outsiders. And it also wouldnt require you to use any program, making it extremely easy to use
Download managers can handle the encode just fine
[-] JustSpeedy | 10 points
You see, the point is to make it impossible for dmca people to get the link. Download managers will expose the link, even if you use their 'encrypting' option.
Might as well use .DLCs since a server is required to decode the link
[-] JustSpeedy | 9 points
feel free to do so. But keep in mind that it wont protect your links from takedowns
It will. Don't worry about it.
[-] JustSpeedy | 7 points
[-] carbolymer | -1 points
[-] vapenati0n | 125 points | Mar 27 2018 22:02:15
Upvote for interest and so this can get attention.
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