What is File Hosting?

A file hosting service is solely intended for hosting user files. It denotes that only user data is stored for Internet and related services. It may belong to one or numerous users and is later retrievable by FTP or HTTP. The data is kept for a very long period or until they are no longer used. Data can include various software, images, instruction manuals, videos, audio, data files, e-books, etc. Diverse providers like MediaFire, RapidShare, ShareFile, YouSendIt Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, Minus, SkyDrive and SugarSync offer free hosting services or with monthly/annual fees.

File hosting service is also identified as online file storage. Not everyone can provide for data storage and retrieval. It can be further categorized into many sub-services, including:

1. Software File Hosting: used by freeware authors to provide software (usually hosted on the best-dedicated servers) and for marketing purposes. The natural snag with free downloads is the sizeable bandwidth cost.
2.  Personal File Storage: It is aimed at private individuals. Like a network storage system, it is intended to store personal data and file backup. The files are password-protected and accessible through FTP or HTTP. Paid users can even share data with approved users or share them publicly.
3.  One-click hosting:  Different one-click hosting services are offered for storing data. They are provided through web-based applications and allow users to upload or download with just one click, often for free. Since most URLs are predictable, they permit potential misuse of the service.
4. Content caching: Companies with a critical Internet presence encountering bandwidth congestion issues may use services that distribute cached or static content.
5. Storage: Most storage services offer space on a per-gigabyte basis – some for free, depending on advertising revenue. Some use a software download, which makes files available on servers with that particular software installed. Retrieving files can be done through any browser. At the same time, some offer unlimited storage with a file size limit.
6.  File sync and sharing services: File syncing and sharing services are hosting services which allow users to create special folders on servers or mobile devices that appear to be the same folder regardless of which computer is used to view it. Files are usually accessible through a website and mobile apps and can be easily shared with others to view or collaborate. Dropbox and Google Drive are such providers. Nowadays, colocation is in a rage due to time and cost savings that can be realized using shared data centres. With IT and communications facilities in safe, secure hands, telecommunications, Internet, ASP and content providers, enterprises enjoy less latency and the freedom to focus on their core business. It is mainly used for avoiding disaster, offsite data backup and business stability. File hosting services may be used as a means to hand out or share files without permission of the copyright owner. In such cases, when one individual uploads a file to a file hosting service, which others can then download, the legal verdict can vary.

File hosting services, online file storage services, or online media centres are specifically designed to host static content, typically large files that are not web pages. It is one of the latest technology. File Hosting is simply a setup for providing online data storage. Many hosting providers have started providing File Hosting or Data Hosting.

We can also say that it is a remote backup, making it one of the best, as there is no fear of losing data.