Sending Large Files

[edd gillespie]

In my business it is necessary to frequently (once a week or so) send large (50-100 MB) files. I have discovered that attaching to e-mail is not the way.

My computer tech has set up a password protected server with FTP access, but now I hear that Microsoft does not reccommend that for security reasons. There are a plethora of services offering large file transfer for free and they all claim to be secure.

Security is of importance to me as is ease of use and cost (free is good). Does anyone have some advice as to where to look or which service to use.

[roban]

FTP is a good way. I don't know what M$ has to say about this but I have been transferring files using FTP for years and have never had an issue concerning security. To add a layer of protection you can set up the server connection type as Implicit SSL.

[marc77]

My computer tech has set up a password protected server with FTP access, but now I hear that Microsoft does not reccommend that for security reasons.
Yes, FTP is "insecure" in the way data is transferred, but you should be able to use SFTP (or FTPS ?), or simply use SSH for transfering files - all should be standard services of your server or hosting account (simply ensure that your FTP client is capable of understanding these protocols).

Alternatively (or in addition), use an archive/compression tool (e.g. WinZIP) and create password-protected file archives before you transfer them over FTP.

There are a plethora of services offering large file transfer for free and they all claim to be secure.
I think it is irresponsible to transfer confidential files over such services - do you know what they do with your stuff once it is on their servers ? How do they protect your files from unauthorized accesses ? What happens with the information stored in their log files (e.g. they could see who is downloading your files and when) ?

[marc77]

There are a plethora of services offering large file transfer for free and they all claim to be secure.
By the way, "for free" usually means how they take care about you...

[handiq]

thanks you for your post, you help is appreciated

[edd gillespie]

Well, thanks for the replies. I tried one of the for free deals that has a big forum. Seems you need to speak and understand "geek" and the usual advice is to read the instructions. All things considered, I'm going with my IT people. It is worth it to pay them and be able to speak to them in my first language.

I read the instructions over and again and still can't get the darned thing to let me post a file. I uninstalled all of its parts and took the forum off my favoites, so there.

Thanks again for the replies.