The best free file hosting services take security seriously, and their terms of use typically reflect this. In exchange for the ability to use their services at no charge, users agree not to upload illegal or copyrighted content. Additionally, you likely won’t be able to take advantage of certain features — such as direct linking or HTML code embedding — with a free account. The best free file hosting services also encrypt your data, with most using the same 256–bit encryption that major financial institutions use to protect customer information. In many cases, you’ll have to go out of your way to make your files public, with most platforms protecting user information by default. While free file hosting services are typically safe to use, avoid any platform that doesn’t require an account to upload or download files. These platforms are often filled with viruses and other malicious content, and their security measures are typically nonexistent. There are a few potential downsides to using free file hosting services, but most of these can be avoided by reading the terms of use and user agreement before creating an account. Additionally, be sure to compare various providers to find the one that best suits your needs.