We often want to share files with other people. Whether you are sending pictures of the kids to their grandparents or transmitting a spreadsheet to a work colleague, you need a quick and easy method. What's the best way to share files with other people?

The Old Way: Email Attachments

In the early days of the internet the most common method of file sharing was to attach the file to an email. This method works for some applications but carries its share of problems.

Although fast internet is common it's not universal by any means. Are you sure of the recipient's connection speed? A file that takes a minute to transmit might take an hour to download if the other person has a dial-up connection. During the download the line is tied up and they can't do much else but wait.

Even in cases of fast internet, many email systems restrict the types of attachments they will allow. Executable files, Word documents and zip files are often excluded because of the risk of viruses. Some email systems won't allow attachments at all to provide maximum protection against malicious software.

The New Way: Free Online File Sharing

One alternative to share the file is to upload it to a website then send the recipient the address so they can download it. This used to mean you had to have your own website with FTP access, and how many of us have that? It also meant anyone with the address could download your file.

As online communication has become faster, free online file sharing sites have become common. These sites provide users with space to store files at no cost. You store the file on the site and send the address to the recipient. These sites are easy to use for both parties.

Free online file sharing adds security a public FTP site doesn't have. Files can be marked as private and accessible only by select people. Even if some third party gets their hands on the file address, this person can't download the file unless they have an account you have approved for download.

Businesses Use File Sharing Too

While free online file sharing is becoming increasingly common for the home user, it's also been a boon for small businesses. Many of these operations can't afford substantial web space of their own and the ability to use free online space makes it easy for them to share files with clients or remote employees. The security of private sharing allows them to share even proprietary information with confidence.

Another advantages businesses and consumers both appreciate is the protection online backup provides. Since the file is stored on a third party site and even if both the sender and the recipient lose the file, either of them can download the backup copy at any time.

Free online file sharing adds tremendous flexibility any time you need to share large or even small files with other people.