ADrive, a recently formed data storage and backup company, has added a new public file sharing feature allowing users to instantly share any files saved in their account with family, friends – anyone they decide upon. After uploading, clicking on a “share” button generates a unique URL enabling those who receive it to view or download that particular file. The process can be reversed simply using an “unshared” button. Naturally, all files which have not been designated as “share” files are protected from public access.

This sharing feature is obviously ideal for sharing large files such as videos or images if email attachment limits are too restrictive. File sharing links will also allow ADrive users to link and share their ADrive files from web pages, blogs, and social-networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace.

It would be prudent to assume that any share link emailed to others could be shared with others not originally intended to receive it. Unless one has absolutely no issues with anyone accessing a file, leaving files as shared for long periods of time is probably best avoided. Perhaps, ADrive will introduce a timeout on shared links so that one is covered for not remembering to “unshare” a file.