4shared
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Contents
Sharing Services
Types of Users
Free User
Requires registering for an account on 4shared.com
- Storage
- 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[3]
- Ads-free sharing
- Direct links
- FTP access
- Download
- 100 GB of premium traffic
- Instant download, ads-free download, resume downloads, multi-download
- Faster download speed than that of free users
- Upload
- 5 GB maximum file size
- Web grab
Types of Sharing
Generic File Sharing
4Shared provides its users 15GB of storage space free for files supporting all different operation systems, including Windows, Linux, and Mac.[4] With its 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 files, 4shared users are granted the authority to edit and manage their files as well as play all music they have downloaded from 4shared.com.
Music Sharing
The music sharing feature provides 4shared users a way to compile their own music collections. Users can not only organized their songs into different albums, but also stream music without having to download it first.
Video Sharing
4shared users can create their own DVD collection by uploading their movies into their virtual drive. The 4shared movie/video community provides its users with the opportunity to share videos and movies with others and also offers the platform to access and stream their videos instantly.[1]
Photo Sharing
The photo sharing feature enables users to upload photos to their virtual drive. Users can organize their photos into photo albums and share them with their friends. Also, users can track which of their pictures were viewed and downloaded using the Download Counts Tool.
Document Sharing and Management
Users can share documents, organize them, and also track the statistics of how many times their documents were viewed and downloaded.
Features
4Sync
4Sync is an add-on feature that was developed for 4shared users. With its free storage of 15 GB, 4sync enables the consumers to sync their files to different devices and make their virtual drive accessible anywhere using cloud storage.[5] The CEO for 4Sync, Anna Anisin, was the former Vice President of US business development and operation at 4shared.com. In January 2012, she was appointed to be the CEO of 4Sync in order to further assist the development for 4sync. The release of 4sync generated positive reviews, which led 4shared to decide to combine 4sync and 4shared together to 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 provides a 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 each month as an encouragement for creative application developers.[3] Since 4shared API is free and easy to use, it has provided opportunities for those who are interested in developing their own applications for mobile phones, Apple, and Microsoft products.
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.[3]
- 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.
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.[4] 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.
Copyright Infringement
4shared is against copyright infringement and strongly enforces that users have the responsibility to follow the copyright policies stated, or appropriate actions may be taken. 4shared will take immediate action to stop and further prevent copyright infringement if the site acquires any knowledge of users involved in any copyright violation. Users may display and share only original content only if they are the copyright owner.[6]
Security
Lawsuits
In January 4th 2012, Modulo Security Solutions filed a lawsuit against 4shared in New Jersey to try to reveal the identities of the user responsible for uploading proprietary documents to the site. The company says that it plans to take civil action against the uploader for copyright infringement related offenses. 4shared quickly removed said files from their website, but refused to give up information on the alleged user who uploaded the documents [7]
Competition
Some competitors of 4shared include:
External Links
Reference
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Computersight: 4Shared – Mp3 – Music – Video Download
- ↑ 4Shared: Frequently Asked Questions
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 iPadCTO: 4Shared Offers Virtual Storage with Desktop and Mobile Access – Users Enjoy Simple Drag and Drop Interface and 15 GB Free Space
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4shared: Share Music
- ↑ Tech Buzz Online: Interview With Anna: CEO At 4Sync
- ↑ 4shared: DMCA Policy
- ↑ TorrentFreak: 4Shared Sued To Reveal Identify of Infringing Users
- ↑ CNET Review: 4shared
- ↑ Lucys6.blogspot: Worth Surfing
- ↑ DailyBurn Tracker: 4shared
