Editing History of the Internet (section)

===File hosting services===
{{Main|File-hosting service}}
{{Primary sources|section|date=October 2024}}

File hosting allowed for people to expand their computer's hard drives and "host" their files on a server. Most file hosting services offer free storage, as well as larger storage amount for a fee. These services have greatly expanded the internet for business and personal use.

[[Google Drive]], launched on April 24, 2012, has become the most popular file hosting service. Google Drive allows users to store, edit, and share files with themselves and other users. Not only does this application allow for file editing, hosting, and sharing. It also acts as Google's own free-to-access office programs, such as [[Google Docs]], [[Google Slides]], and [[Google Sheets]]. This application served as a useful tool for University professors and students, as well as those who are in need of [[Cloud storage]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nolledo|first=Michael|title=What is Google Drive? A guide to navigating Google's file storage service and collaboration tools|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-google-drive-guide|access-date=2020-11-16|website=Business Insider}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Introducing Google Drive... yes, really|url=https://googleblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/introducing-google-drive-yes-really.html|access-date=2020-11-16|website=Official Google Blog|language=en}}</ref>

[[Dropbox (service)#History|Dropbox]], released in June 2007 is a similar file hosting service that allows users to keep all of their files in a folder on their computer, which is synced with Dropbox's servers. This differs from Google Drive as it is not web-browser based. Now, Dropbox works to keep workers and files in sync and efficient.<ref>{{Cite web|title=About|url=https://www.dropbox.com/about|access-date=2020-11-17|website=www.dropbox.com|language=en}}</ref>

[[Mega (service)|Mega]], having over 200 million users, is an encrypted storage and communication system that offers users free and paid storage, with an emphasis on privacy.<ref>{{Cite web|title=About - MEGA|url=https://mega.nz/about/main|access-date=2020-11-17|website=mega.nz}}</ref> Being three of the largest file hosting services, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Mega all represent the core ideas and values of these services.