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A file-sharing service lets people share information or access files, typically through web-based sharing or storage. Depending on the service, you can give selected people access or share a link. Direct device-to-device transfers and removable drives can also move files, but they are not web-based file-sharing services.
What does “file-sharing service” mean?
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines file-sharing services as “services that include but are not limited to information sharing and access to information via web-based file sharing or storage.” NIST attributes this definition to NIST SP 800-47 Rev. 1.
In practical terms, a service makes files available to other people or devices, often using an online account, a shared link, or access permissions. The specific options depend on the service.
How is a file-sharing service different from other ways to transfer files?
“File sharing” can describe several ways to move or make files accessible. Dropbox’s November 14, 2024 explainer describes transfers between devices over a network or internet connection and discusses peer-to-peer software, server-hosted files, and removable media. These methods are related, but they are not all file-sharing services in NIST’s web-based sense.
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| Method | How it works | Is it a web-based file-sharing service? |
|---|---|---|
| Web-based service | A provider offers online file-sharing or storage functionality that people access over the web. | Yes. This is the sense captured by NIST’s definition. |
| Peer-to-peer transfer | Software connects devices to exchange files directly or through a peer-to-peer network. | Not necessarily. A transfer method is not automatically a web-based sharing or storage service. |
| Removable media | A person copies files to a physical device, such as an external hard drive or memory card, then connects it to another device. | No. It is a physical transfer method. |
What should you check before sharing a file?
Sharing controls vary by provider and account configuration. Before sending a link, check who can open it, what they can do, and whether you can later remove their access.
- Who can access it? Determine whether the link is available broadly or limited to named people.
- What can recipients do? Check whether recipients can view, edit, or otherwise interact with the file.
- Can you revoke access? Find out how to change permissions or stop sharing if the file should no longer be available.
For example, Google says Drive content is private unless the user chooses to share it and that Drive data is encrypted in transit and at rest. Those statements apply to Google Drive, not every provider; see Google Drive Help on sharing files. Microsoft documents options for restricting OneDrive and SharePoint links to specific people and for managing or stopping sharing; see Microsoft Support’s OneDrive sharing guidance.
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- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
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