Accessing/Sharing Important Files On A Mobile Device
Abstract
This paper explains how the Synametrics File Manager (SynaMan) can help individuals and businesses to access important files quickly and securely on any machine or mobile device, no matter where they are.
Problem Statement
File sharing is something many people and businesses do without a second thought. Unfortunately, though, mobile access to important documents, whether it is for uploading or downloading, is still a challenge that goes unmet with most forms of file sharing software.
Not only that, the risks of security compromise have never been higher and the shift from one device to another - particularly from a standard computer to a mobile device - can make file sharing not only more difficult but also a lot less secure.
The Challenge of Mobile Access
As you may already know, most file sharing options out there do not provide convenient access to documents via mobile devices. Because of the system requirements for many of the file sharing services out there, you often cannot upload or sometimes even download files on a smart phone or other mobile device.
For many business professionals, not to mention many individuals, this limitation on file sharing makes life difficult.
Then there's the problem of security.
If you collect and store sensitive information of any kind on your computer, you need to be careful about how you share information on any of your devices. Most of the current free and even paid services available on the Internet are not appropriate for secure file sharing, any more than they are effective for mobile access.
And the two really do go hand in hand more often than you might think.
If you are dealing with sensitive documents, the chances are that much of the information they contain is of considerable importance. When you need to share it, you need to share it without delay. You can't always wait until you are in front of a computer.
One of the benefits of having a mobile device should be the capacity to review whatever documents you need to - including large files - on the go. If file sharing capacity is holding you back, it's a problem that needs to be addressed.
Security Issues With Internet-Based File Sharing Services, Paid and Unpaid
With most standard file sharing programs, paid or free, the process of sharing files is risky. When it is with anonymous or otherwise unknown users, sharing files on the Internet goes against every basic security practice. What most people don't realize, however, is that third-party businesses fall into this same anonymous or unknown user category. Using a web-based, third-party service to share confidential or sensitive information is the same as sending your private files to someone you don't actually know, exposing your personal, private, or confidential data.
Individuals looking to share files with friends and family can potentially expose themselves to viruses and malware using free file sharing programs or Peer2Peer networks. The possible exposure of sensitive personal information is also a problem.
For businesses, the security risks associated with file sharing are even higher and the consequences of poor security that much higher, when customer confidentiality is at stake.
In fact, problems with file sharing systems have made headlines in the past. In 2007, Citigroup experienced a major data breach when the social security numbers of over 5,000 customers, along with other personal data, were inadvertently shared online by an employee using LimeWire on their work computer.
Also in 2008, Pfizer experienced a leak that saw the unintentional release of the names and social security numbers of some 17,000 Pfizer employees, current and former. The leak was due to an employee downloading file-sharing software onto a company laptop.
Depending on the precise mode of file sharing, it is not uncommon for users to be swapping personal files on their hard drives when they attempt to be able to share files and data with others.
What are some of the most prevalent security risks with free services? When you sign up for any one of these services, you expose your identity and potentially also your personal data just by creating an account and thus sharing your information.
When you use a third-party program, especially a free service, to open files, you may be exposing your computer to threats within the file that you are looking to open up.
Many P2P services apply default settings that may lead to violation of your security. Some P2P services actually go so far as to scan your hard drive in search of files to share on an unsecure network.
With paid services, even this risks apply but at a cost.
The Benefits of a File Sharing Product Versus a Service
The simple benefits of using a file sharing product rather than a service are (1) increased security, (2) greater control over file sharing capacities, and (3) overall better access for uploading and downloading, and (4) overall cost-efficiency.
Increased Security:
When you use a file sharing service or a Peer2Peer file sharing service, you need to take steps to protect your information. Businesses need to train their employees and even establish specific protocols to protect sensitive information. All of this takes time and, to be effective, it requires specific knowledge that must also be acquired over time.
Greater Control Over File Sharing Capacities
With SynaMan, however, you have an easy to use product that requires no special training or information. If you know how to use Windows Explorer, you can use SynaMan. You don't have to worry about learning any new skills or, in business, managing the training of your employees.
Because of the built-in web server that works with both HTTP ports and an HTTPS port, a further benefit of SynaMan is the minimal-effort secure communication. With all of the security features managed for you via the browser-based system, you don't have to worry about configuring any servers or any other network or device features.
Neither you nor your colleagues will have to share information on a third-party website to access shared files. Instead, you can establish individual user accounts for all team members within your business and even incorporate branding in your mode of file sharing.
Overall Better Access for Uploading and Downloading
SynaMan product is entirely browser-based, requiring no software, only an Internet browser. It works with Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, and Google Chrome.
Unlike most other free or paid services, SynaMan also allows mobile access with minimal effort. You can access files from various mobile devices. Supported devices include iPhone, Android, Blackberry, and Windows Mobile, allowing you to send large files to colleagues on-the-go.
SynaMan puts you in control of large file transfers, allowing you to transfer directly over the Internet to your machine. It also eliminates the need for FTP servers as a central repository for data sharing. SynaMan's file management features allow you and your team members to stay up to date with file sharing. Automatic email notifications ensure that everyone is aware of what files have been shared, reducing the potential for confusion.
Overall Cost-Efficiency
For individuals, SynaMan is free to use. For-profit businesses have a choice of purchasing a perpetual license or
pay-as-you-go. Refer to SynaMan's
cost page for details.
Included in the enterprise package are features for the branding and overall professional presentation of
business files, too. When sharing files and other data with customers using SynaMan, businesses are
supported in their operations with unlimited user accounts (perpetual license), the ability to create public links,
and customized features that enhance the customer
Key Benefits
- Access any file on a desktop machine from a mobile device such as iPhone, Andriod, Blackberry or Windows Phone
- Send a large file (in gigabytes) via email to any colleague or business partner
- Instantly view Word Documents, PDF files, Excel Spreadsheets and images on your mobile device
- Enjoy high-level, hassle-free security for your file sharing needs
- Access to files and capacity to share files from mobile devices like iPhone, Android and others
- Affordable file-sharing options for business and personal use
Conclusion
This paper introduces some of the key benefits and features of the SynaMan file sharing solution for individuals and businesses, explaining why SynaMan is the number one file sharing solution for security and efficiency in this important communications area.
