4shared

4shared Logo

4shared is one of the largest online file-sharing website founded originally from Ukraine in 2005 by Alex Lunkov and Sergey Chudnovsky. Once Internet users register for a 4shared account, they are able to use the different features provided by 4shared.com. Registered users are able to create personal folders and can upload, download, and store various files on their individual virtual drive.

Sharing Services

Types of Users

Free User

Requires registering for an account on 4shared.com

• Storage
  • 10 GB of Data Storage Capacity right after registration
  • 15 GB of Data Storage Capacity after verification email
• Upload
  • 2048 MB Maximum file size

Paid User (Premium User)

Requires users to subscribe for $77.95/Year or other alternative payment plans

• Storage
  • 100 GB Data Storage Capacity
  • Ads-Free Sharing
  • Direct Links
  • FTP Acess
• Download
  • 100 GB of Premium Traffic
  • Instant Download, Ads-Free download, Resume Downloads, Multidownload
  • Faster Download Speed than that of Free users
• Upload
  • 5 GB Maximum file size
  • Web Grab

Types of Sharing

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Generic File Sharing

4Shared provides its users free 15GB of storage space for files supporting all different operation systems, including Windows, Linux, and Mac. With the file sharing feature, its users can not only upload and download multiple files at the same time, but also receive detailed information and account statistics related to the files. After downloading or uploading the files, 4shared users were granted the authority to edit and manage their files and play all the music they downloaded from 4shared.com.

Music Sharing

The music sharing feature provides 4shared users a way to create their own music collections with the songs they like. Users can not only organized their songs into different albums, but also stream music without having to downloads them first.

Video Sharing

4shared users will be able to have their own DVD collection after uploading movies onto their cloud. The 4shared movie/video community provides its users the opportunities to share videos and movies with others and also the platform to access and stream their videos instantly.

Photo Sharing

Using the photo sharing feature, 4shared users are able to share and make unlimited numbers of photo albums. The establishment of 4shared photo community also enables users to share their pictures with others. Also, users can keep in track of how many of their pictures were being viewed and downloaded using the download counts tool by 4shared.

Document Sharing and Management

Users can share documents, organize them, and also track the statistics of how many times their documents were being viewed and downloaded.

Features

4Sync

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4Sync is an add-on feature that was developed especially for 4shared users. With its free storage of 15 GB, 4sync enables the consumers to sync all the files to different devices and make information accessible everywhere using cloud storage solution. The CEO for 4Sync, Anna Anisin, was the former Vice President of US business development and operation at 4shared.com. She was appointed to be the CEO of 4Sync, then further assist the development for 4sync. The release of 4sync resulted in many great reviews; therefore, 4shared decided to combine 4sync and 4shared together and create 4shared-sync. However, the users found the new version of 4shared-sync rather impractical and confusing. Even though 4shared and 4sync were separated to meet market demand, the two companies remain closely related. 4shared provide download and link to 4sync on their homepage.

Main Features for 4sync

• 15 GB free online storage space
• Share files for free
• Synchronize files
• Secure files with backup copies
• Easy access to files

Developer Involvement

The 4shared API Program offers $5,000 for frequent users every month as an encouragement for those creative app developer. Talented APP developers are able to access web account, upload\download files, search files, and create and delete folders using the program. Since 4shraed API is free and easy to start with, it has provided great opportunities for those who are interested in developing their own applications for mobile phones, Apple, and Microsoft products.

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To get started with the API Program, there are 5 recommended steps:

1. Have a well-understanding of the program after reading 4-shared API documentation
2. Start creating personal APP using all the API functions offered by 4shared SOAP
3. Testing your personal APP
4. Creating a free account and uploading your application
5. Send the link of the application to developer@4shared.com

Mobile

4shared has developed a wide varieties of mobile applications for all different models of mobile phones. With the creation of 4shared mobile app, 4shared users are able to access to all their files using their mobile devices. On 4shared.com, users are able to select the operating systems of their mobile devices and further explore what kind of applications and the features are offered by 4shared.

• Blackberry: 4shared mobile
  
• IPhone/IPad: 4shared mobile / 4shared music / 4shared photo
  
• Symbian: 4shared mobile
  
• Android: 4shared for Android / 4shared music

Desktop

4shared designs its free application for desktops ranged from all different brands.The two main features of 4shared desktop are multiple files download and upload and also its ability to resume actions that were interrupted due to connection ability. Users who download 4shared desktop are able to manage hundred files at the same time.

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Once users sign in to their account on 4shared desktop, there are three main controls on the main menu, which enables the users to find and organize their files easiliy:

1. Folder Tree: users can see their folder structure
2. List of files and folders
3. List of files for uploading

Copyright Issues

Despite its growing numbers of users and popularity, 4shared.com encounters many copyright related issues. As one of the largest file-sharing websites with about 10 million users, it is almost impossible for 4shared to catch all the users who upload copyright files. There are several news and lawsuit about 4shared that touched on different copyright issues.

Terms of Service

"Terms" means the users' access to use 4shared as online sharing service and file storage. The "service" is provided by new IT by 4shared. In addition, 4shared has the right to change or modify any of the terms or policies of their service. It is the users responsibility to constantly review the policies and guidelines in order to be well aware of the terms and condition to their use of the Service. 4shared also suggested that users should stop using 4shared.com if they do not agree with the terms and conditions.

Privacy Policy

The privacy policy states how personally identifiable information, information directly linked to an individual's identification, is gathered, used and protected. Reviewed by TRUSTe, 4shared's privacy policy and practices have been awarded for its transparency, accountability, and choice of collecting personally identifiable information. When it comes to the kinds of information 4shared collect individually, there are two distinct categories: 1) Active Collection, information provided by the users when they use Service and Apps, and 2) Passive Collection, information that is automatically collected throughout the usage of Service and Apps.

There are various purposes for collecting personally identifiable information. They are:

1. to process and complete any transactions;
2. to request feedback and to otherwise contact users about their use of the Service and Apps;
3. to respond and contact users through emails answering their questions, comments, requests and complaints;
4. to monitor and analyze Service and App usage and trends;
5. to personalize and improve the Service or Apps;
6. to send confirmations, updates, security alerts, additional information about our products and services;
7. to notify users about important changes to the Service and Apps.

Competition

Some competitors of 4shared include: Dropbox, 4sync, JustCloud, and Amazon Cloud Drive.

See Also

4Shared Website
4Sync Website
4Sync on Wikipedia

Reference

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