Already a user? Log in here.
Questions? Call (800) 441-3453

Share Business Files Securely & Professionally

Try ShareFile FREE. Sign up now, and a ShareFile specialist will design a custom interface to match your logo and web site — at no charge.

Try It FREE

Latest Updates

ShareFile.com chosen as part of CNET's Webware 100 Winners for 2008!

 

What Is ShareFile?

ShareFile allows you to create a custom-branded, password-protected area where you can exchange business files with clients easily, securely, and professionally. Whether you deal with files that are simply too large to transfer by email, need secure file transfer, or just need a collaboration space where project-related files can be posted, ShareFile can provide a solution for you.

Sign up for a free trial of ShareFile and find out how thousands of accountants, graphic designers, consultants, lawyers, architects, hospitals, and companies in over 50 industries have saved time and money with our business file transfer solutions!

  • Custom branded with your company logo and colors at no charge
  • Create folders to store and share files online with ease
  • Invite unlimited clients and partners to your secure file sharing site
  • Our 128-bit encryption and real-time backup protects your valuable data
  • Place a ShareFile login box on your company web site
  • ShareFile is more reliable, professional, and secure than standard FTP
View Demo

Top Industries

Industry Solutions Photo
  • Graphic Design & Photography
  • Accounting, Consulting & Law
  • Manufacturing & Engineering
  • Architecture & Construction
  • Health Care
View full list of industries
Close Window

What is FTP?

FTP or File Transfer Protocol is a specification for transferring files on the internet. From a technical perspective, FTP exists at a fairly deep layer on the internet, similar to HTTP (you are probably familiar with HTTP because that is the protocol for web pages, which is why you type http:// when visiting a web site).

FTP was developed a long time ago in the early days of the internet. Because long ago it was the only viable way to transfer files electronically, many companies established FTP as their mechanism for making files available to clients, partners, and colleagues and continue to use FTP to this day.

Unfortunately, back when FTP was first created, its authors did not anticipate many of the developments in internet commerce and publishing that have occurred over the past 10 years and FTP now suffers from some critical problems.

  1. FTP transfers files and passwords in clear text for anyone to see. This can be a major security hole, especially for companies in businesses such as healthcare, law, accounting, or any industry where data privacy is important.
  2. FTP traffic travels over port 21, a special port that is often closed by firewalls at corporations for security reasons. Because of this, many users are not able to use FTP for transferring files.
  3. Since FTP is a low-level protocol, it lacks many value-added features such as the ability to search for files, forgotten password notifications, and e-mail upload/download notifications.

Learn about how ShareFile compares to FTP