Network device with virtual private file system

A method, comprising:

• receiving, by a network device coupled to a local computer communication network, a first plaintext file;
• generating, by the network device, an encryption key based on a hardware specific value recorded in the network device;
• responsive to determining that the first plaintext file is to be stored as ciphertext:
• encrypting, by the network device, the first plaintext file with the encryption key to produce an encrypted file;
• and
• transmitting, by the network device, the encrypted file to an Internet storage system;
• receiving, by the network device, a second plaintext file;
• responsive to determining that the second plaintext file is to be stored as plaintext, storing the second plaintext file in a local storage system;
• maintaining, by the network device, a list of files, the list including a reference to the encrypted file stored on the Internet storage system and the second plaintext file stored in the local storage system;
• and
• presenting, to a computing device coupled to the local computer communication network, the list of files as a file system resident on the local computer communication network.

A network device, comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a network interface coupled to the processor and configured to couple the network device to a computer communication network;
• wherein the processor is configured to:
• generate an encryption key based on a hardware specific value recorded in the network device;
• determine whether a first plaintext file received for storage is to be stored as plaintext or ciphertext;
• responsive to a determination that the first plaintext file is to be stored as ciphertext, encrypt the first plaintext file using the encryption key and send the encrypted file to an Internet storage system;
• determine whether a second plaintext file received for storage is to be stored as plaintext or ciphertext;
• responsive to a determination that the second plaintext file is to be stored as plaintext, store the second plaintext file in a local storage system;
• maintain a list of files, the list including a reference to the encrypted file stored on the Internet storage system and the second plaintext file stored in the local storage system;
• and
• present the list of files as a file system resident on the local storage system.