3 Ways to Transfer Large Files

Why is this relevant?

As technology advances, there is an ongoing increase in the volume of files sent between users. A good example of this is the increase in the resolution of images and videos. Old photos are around 300 Kb, but modern photos are up to 30 Mb.

Mail clients are not designed to send files that weigh more than 50 Mb. Social networks and messengers also do not allow for voluminous data exchange.

Cloud services

The cloud is the most popular solution for the task described. It is a convenient service where you can upload files and share them with one person, a group of people, or use them only for yourself. The capacity varies from person to person.

Every email client has a cloud service (e.g. Gmail's Google Drive). The most secure by far is Mega, which encrypts files in the cloud. The best known and fastest file hosting service is Dropbox. You can create a folder on it that syncs so that you can access it from any device and from anywhere.

Advantages:

• the email integration allows quick and convenient access to files;
• built-in tools for viewing and editing files;
• ability to secure data (encryption, password protection).

Disadvantages:

• the file is only available while it is in the cloud;
• uploading the file to the cloud server takes time (it takes time to send and time to download);
• limited amount of data on disk.

It is worth noting that despite constant upgrades to protect user data, even the largest cloud services are often targeted by hackers. Attackers steal and publish information or use it for their own purposes. For example, in August 2016, data of 68 million Dropbox users appeared online.

File transfer in a browser window

One of the easiest and most straightforward services in this category is Send Anywhere. You need to go to the service website and add the required files by clicking + in the Send section or by dragging them to the window. Then press «Send» and send the received code to the recipient. To copy code to clipboard just click on it. You can also use the generated QR code to access the file.

Advantages:

• no need to register;
• a simple file-sharing procedure;
• high speed of sending large files;
• possibility to use both the web interface and applications for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS to exchange files.

Disadvantages:

• limitation of the transferred file size of 10 Gb when using the service for free;
• validity period of the generated code if there is no registration on send-anywhere.com only 10 minutes (if a free account is created, the time increases up to 2 days).

Utorrent

Torrent is familiar to users for downloading movies and games, but few use it to distribute their own files. This transfer format is very convenient and secure. In order to start a transfer, you need to create a file with a torrent extension in Utorrent («File» — «Create», select the object to be transferred). Then send this file (it will weigh a few Kb) to the recipient.

Advantages:

• a direct data transfer channel in which files are transferred from computer to computer without the tracker being involved;
• the ability to distribute a file to multiple people at the same time;
• high download speed due to the nature of the technology.

Disadvantages:

• the need to install software (although rare users do not have this programme);
• you can't close the program or turn off the computer while another person is downloading the file;
• you have to store the file on your computer for the distribution to work.

Selection rules

As you can see, there is no clear favourite. When you want to put a file on the Internet and delete it from your computer, use the cloud. When you want a file downloaded quickly and right away, go for a torrent. If you don't want to install additional software, use a browser-based submission service.

If your main goal is to secure the data you transfer, consider using a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device.

NAS (Network Attached Storage) is a storage server that can be shared with different devices.

This is usually a number of hard disks in a compact enclosure. Such a system is easy to scale and administer. A huge amount of data can be uploaded to the storage and certain files can be accessed by other users without worrying that the information will be compromised by third parties.