Is it Safe to Upload Files to a File Hosting Service?
The days of meeting with associates or clients in order to exchange business documents on a USB drive are long gone. Instead, you can upload your files to a file hosting service online, and have anyone you choose download them. Many free and fee-based file hosting services offer safe online storage, so that you don't have to worry about unauthorized access to your sensitive business data.
File Hosting Services
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File hosting services offer users space to store and share files. By uploading your file to one of these services, you can have access to it from any computer with Web connectivity. You can also send a file link to others who can then download the file. However, some file hosting services host the files they store as public files, which any person can download.
Choosing a Service
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Ultimately, whether it's safe to upload a file to a file hosting service depends on which service you choose. Anyone can create a file hosting service, but a reputable business will offer you certain terms, including privacy and password-protection options. Google Drive, for example, is linked to your Google account and can't be accessed without your password. You can also use Dropbox to host your files, then access them from any mobile devices or computer. If you want to share files with associates or clients by sending them a link, file hosting services like RapidShare and MediaFire have been around for a long time, and offer many security features.
Copyright
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Never upload copyrighted content to a file sharing website if you don't have the right to do so. For example, you may think that you can upload a book you want to share with employees. However, purchasing the book doesn't give you the right to distribute it to others, so uploading it to the file hosting site may have legal consequences even if you choose a reputable site and have nothing but good intentions.
Safety
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Never upload a file that you wouldn't want others to see. This is simply common sense when sending information on the Internet. If you need to share sensitive contracts, for example, use a secure email address, fax or other personal methods of exchange. If you want only certain people to be able to download the file, include a password on it. For example, if you're sharing photos from the corporate retreat with employees, you can send out a message with the link and password. If something is particularly sensitive and you want to use a file hosting service to share it, you can encrypt it before uploading it.
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Writer Bio
Melly Parker has been writing since 2007, focusing on health, business, technology and home improvement. She has also worked as a teacher and a bioassay laboratory technician. Parker now serves as a marketing specialist at one of the largest mobile app developers in the world. She holds a Master of Science in English.