Dropbox have updated their cloud based file-sharing service to allow public links to any file or folder. What this means for existing users is that they no longer have to place certain files or folders into their Dropbox Public folder, and this also makes it possible to share read-only files with any web user, even if they don’t have an account with Dropbox.

This is not a novel concept, as this functionality is already available in other services such as SugarSync and LogMeIn Cubby, but now that Dropbox have incorporated it, they can now compete more strongly with file-sending services like YouSendIt. Some commentators are suggesting that this is a preemptive move to counteract the competition that Dropbox will be faced with now that Google Drive has now been launched. According to Drew Houston, Dropbox CEO, there will soon be a new iPhone feature that allows auto-upload of photos.

This does makes things a lot more convenient, but at the same time a lot less private. Having public links to your files and folders – even if only in read-only format – floating around immediately opens your life up to scrutiny to anyone. All it takes is for an email to get forwarded by accident and suddenly what you wanted to share privately with someone is now very much public. And there’s no auto-expire on the links, so if you want to make a file or folder private again you’ll have to do this using the Dropbox website.

At DADapp we’re proud to say that we offer a viable alternative to cloud based sharing with our private user to user sharing model. Simply drag and drop any file(s) from your PC or Mac onto another DADapp user from your own list of contacts to share directly with them. There’s no need for sending links or uploading your files to the cloud – you share securely and privately, directly between your two machines.

To start sharing privately with DADapp, visit our main website and download the free trial for PC or Mac.