4shared Company Information and Review

If you are looking for an easy way to share files, 4shared offers a compelling list of capabilities and I note a few of them below. They have been around since 2005 and enhancing their product with new features and functions. While you can do everything that you need to do just using your web browser, they also offer a client application for the Windows platform that helps automate many of the tasks.

Great service if you need: Online file sharing, or basic online file collaboration with groups. Many features to control level of access for shared files and folders. Free account is available with 5GB of space. You can also upload files directly from the web to your account by just providing the URL. You can also embed your own files on a web page. Editing of text files is also possible.

Try 4Shared.com - it's easy and the interface is a breeze.

Information obtained from the company website, Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission, May 2009.

Website: 4shared.com

Contact: support@4shared.com

Company: New IT Solutions Ltd.

Location: British Virgin Islands

Telephone: 781-583-1454

Operating since: 2005

Summary: 4shared offers online file sharing and online file storage services.

Details: Service designed as a free online file sharing service and offers many powerful features including photo sharing, play audio files online, stream video. All of the tasks can be done using a web browser, but a desktop client for windows PCs is available. Service not designed for online backup or long term archive of subscriber files. Free account provides 5GB of storage space and paid account provides 100GB.

Free 4shared account available: Yes, 5GB.

Paid 4shared account available: Yes, includes 100GB for $77.95 USD/Yr.

Single file size limit: 100MB on free account, 2GB on premium account plan.

Free Trial: Yes, using the free account which may be upgraded at any time to a premium account.

Platforms supported: Web browser based service, Windows, Linux & Mac compatible. Client application available, see details below.

4shared client software download required for use: No, but one is available to assist for uploading many files and managing tasks. Software supports Windows 2000, Windows NT4 and Windows XP. Software includes a download manager, folder downloading, multi-thread downloading, resumes broken downloads, Auto login at startup so that your 4shared folder is always ready for your use and the latest version also includes a 4shared toolbar (v.3.0.1).

Online File Backup Details

Designed for easy online file backups: No

Completely automatic backups: Not Applicable

User defined backups: Not Applicable

User defined bandwidth option for backups and restore process: Not Applicable

Can data be sent to 4shared to seed the initial backup: Not Applicable

Support for backup of attached USB drives: Not Applicable

Support for open and locked files: Not Applicable

Tracking and storage of multiple versions of files: No

Can multiple PCs files be backed up using one backup account: Not Applicable

Can servers be backed up: Not Applicable

Designed for easy online file restore: Not Applicable

Designed that data be restored via web browser: Yes

Designed so that data be sent to you on DVD, Hard Drive or other device: Not Applicable

Online File Storage Details

Designed for easy data storage: Yes

File transfer: Using web browser or 4shared client application.

Online File Access Details

Online access to files from anywhere: Yes

Search capability to help you locate specific files: Yes

Online File Sharing Details

Designed for easy file sharing: Yes

Designed for easy music sharing: Yes

Designed for easy photo sharing: Yes

Designed for easy video sharing: Yes

Online Team Collaboration Details

Online team collaboration features beyond file sharing / folder sharing: Yes - Search capability to find the file that you are looking for.

Online & Offline File Synchronization Details

Online file sync across multiple computers or devices: No

Offline file sync across multiple computers or devices: No

Web 2.0 Support Details

Support for integration with online editing of text data files: Yes

Support for integration with online editing of multiple document types: No

Support for integration with online communities such as Facebook, MySpace and others: No

Security & Encryption Details

Encryption for sign up and login: Yes (SSL)

File transfer processes encrypted: No

Files encrypted on local computer as part of 4shared service: No

Files encrypted on 4shared systems: No

Encryption type for storage: Not Applicable

Encryption key management for storage: Not Applicable

Datacenter Information:

Datacenter/s location disclosed: No

Datacenter/s facilities described: No

Datacenter/s telecommunication capability described: No

Datacenter/s security levels described: No

Customer Service & Support

Site Searchable: Yes, however only for publicly shared files, not for help files

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) and other “Self-Help” available: Yes

How Do You Request Assistance: Either by phone or e-mail

Live Support Chat Available: Not Disclosed

E-Mail Support: Yes

Remote Control Support Available: Not Disclosed

Telephone Based Support: Yes, and you can request a call back from the website

Customer Feedback E-mail or Form Available: Yes, form for suggestions or problem

Better Business Bureau Record Summary: No matches as of May 28 2009 (Company is not USA based)

Federal Trade Commission Summary: No matches as of May 28 2009 (Company is not USA based)