Private File Sharing

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What Does Private File Sharing Mean?

Private file sharing is the process of sharing one or more files with other users or computers anonymously or privately over a network or the Internet.

It is used as a means to transfer computer files securely without being visible to anyone except the file sender, receiver and/or the underlying network.

Techopedia Explains Private File Sharing

Private file sharing typically requires setting up a private connection or network. This network can be:

  • Peer-to-peer network
  • Local or wide area personal/corporate network
  • Virtual private network (VPN)
  • Private or secure public cloud

The file sharer has the ability to allow or restrict individuals on preference. For example, when sharing a document on Google Docs, only users that are allowed by the file owner are able to view/edit the file. Private file sharing may also apply file encryption algorithms on the file being shared, so even if the underlying connection is compromised, the contents of the file are not revealed until correct cryptographic keys are provided.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.