One problem with data sharing today is the difficulty of transferring large files and folders. The thing is, conventional data sharing methods only support file uploads of limited size. With Gmail, for example, the limit is 25MB. Beyond that, you might get the “Sorry. File too large.” error prompt.
Would you like to learn how to send large files securely over the Internet? Then read on. This article will show you different ways to do that.
How to Send Files Safely Over the Internet
There are several ways to do that. Let’s examine the most prominent ones below.
1. Use a specialized online service
Web-based platforms that simplify data sharing have been on the rise recently. One remarkable feature of these platforms is their use of proprietary technology to increase upload and download speeds.
These services allow you to transfer really large files and folders. A case in point is FileWhopper. In addition to the aforementioned qualities, below are other outstanding things to note about FileWhopper:·
No file size limits per upload/download
A free transfer of up to 5GB for first-time users
A pay-as-you-go pricing model with no additional subscription fees
Simultaneous uploads and downloads
An automatic resumption of the transfer process if an interruption occurs
We recommend using such file-sharing tools as they are more resilient and convenient than many other data transfer methods, and FileWhopper remains the preferred option of many users.
2. Use a cloud storage option
Google Drive and OneDrive are some of the easiest solutions for sharing large files. One crucial point to note here is that the sophisticated security protocols used by these cloud facilities make them very secure for sharing private data. Therefore, they are suitable for business owners and institutional settings.
Now, let’s discuss them one by one:
Google Drive
If you are using Gmail to send file attachments above 25MB, you can simply click on the Google Drive button to save your large file to the cloud. After that, you can copy and paste the corresponding URL and send it instead. The recipient will use the link to view or download the file. Moreover, you can choose to set viewing permissions for your file – for instance, you can restrict third parties from sharing it or making changes to it.
However, note that the maximum storage space Google will allocate to you is 15GB. To transfer larger amounts of data, you must upgrade to any of the service’s paid service packages. The first option begins at $1.99 per month for 100GB.
OneDrive
Similar to Google Drive, OneDrive will allow you to send links to large files and folders instead of transferring them as email attachments. You only need to upload the file or folder you wish to share to a specific location on OneDrive and click on Share > Get a Link to create a transfer link that you will be using. You can also select the More option to set the sharing permissions.
Dropbox
Dropbox is another file-sharing platform. But unlike the two discussed above, it has no email server of its own.
On the service’s free plan, you can upload files not larger than 2GB and send the corresponding web links to other users. To access more storage space, you will need to opt for the 1TB subscription at $9.99 per month.
One intriguing aspect of this cloud storage service is that your recipient doesn’t need to own a Dropbox account to download the files you shared through the platform. Besides, Dropbox’s referral program is another great feature of this service. Through successful referrals, you can increase your storage limit to 2TB and get other privileges, like setting passwords for downloads.
3. Use a file compression program
When it comes to data transfers, it takes less time to send a large file than a folder of equivalent size containing smaller files. Luckily, you can use a file compression tool to merge several files into a single ZIP file that occupies less space. That way, the uploading process will become more efficient. The recipient will also have less trouble downloading your data.
For instance, with the 7-Zip compression tool, you can collect multiple files into a single location and jam them together at once in the ZIP format. You can also use 7-Zip to password-protect your ZIP files. The software is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Note: Unzipping files is usually very easy. On some operating systems, you can extract files from a ZIP folder without using third-party software.
4. Utilize a VPN service
Internet service providers (ISPs) tend to deploy broadband traffic management protocols to control users’ bandwidth during file uploads. Thus, the larger the file involved, the more affected your traffic will be.
However, you can use a VPN to hide the details of the files you are trying to send. The program will route your connection through another server.
That said, you should expect significant browsing speed drops. It’s even worse if the file you are trying to send is large. Also, the quality of the transfer process may not be up to your expectations.
Nevertheless, using a VPN can still help you send a large amount of data over the internet.
5. Send large files using FTP (or SFTP)
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is an online data transfer method whereby the user uploads a file to a hosting site for the recipient to download it.
Though it is a first-generation data transfer method, FTP is still very much in use today. But for some users, it is more reliable to use cloud options like Google Drive.
FTP is built into all operating systems. Also, you can access FTP on your browser through extensions, such as FireFTP. On Windows and macOS, you can use it directly through Cyberduck and similar clients.
To host a file server, you can use various remote options, such as DriveHQ, where you get to enjoy free 5GB of cloud storage.
However, the major downside is that FTP is not very safe. The SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) option is usually more preferable. Below are its advantages:
It provides a secure shell for data encryption.
It limits the accessibility of shared content to users on a specified recipient list.
· It’s much more secure than traditional transfer methods.
Overall, the SFTP method is a good option for sending highly protected data to clients and partners.
6. Use an External Storage Drive
Not all occasions necessitate sending a large file over the web. For example, when collaborating with a team on an on-site video project, it’s better to save the work documents to a hard disk.
Typical disk drives vary in size from 2GB to 1TB. However, if you need more storage, you can get a specialized external disk of 20TB in size from WD My Book Duo at $749.99.
Then, you can use your drive to repeatedly share files amongst your colleagues or create backups to free up storage space on your computer.
The main problem is when you try to import/export data of about 100GB in size or larger. Even with a dedicated 100MB broadband line, it would take hours/days to send the files.
Conclusion
Trying to transfer a large file may result in a frustrating experience. However, with the methods we discussed in this article, sending a file of any size is not a problem for you anymore. Kindly let us know if you find this guide helpful. And don’t forget to check back for other file-sharing tips!
