No, magicVORTEX is a file transfer service. It enables registered users to send files directly to individuals they specifically choose as a recipient. No one except your intended recipients can ever access the data you've sent via magicVORTEX.
Review our downloadable brochure to learn more about the magicVORTEX File Transfer Service. (Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view this document.)
To learn more about the magicVORTEX application and how to use it to send and receive files, please visit our online documentation at magicVORTEX Online Help.
Q:
Is my data secure?
A:
The transfer of your data over the Internet is protected with industry standard, 128-bit SSL encryption whenever you switch into Secure Mode. This makes using magicVORTEX significantly more secure than using typical email or FTP solutions.
Your files are temporarily held at the magicVORTEX Relay until your intended recipient picks them up. While at the Relay, your data is stored in an unidentifiable form on storage arrays locked in a physically secure facility. No data is retained after a file transfer is completed.
Q:
What does Transfer Limit mean?
A:
The transfer limit is the amount disk space reserved for your account on the magicVORTEX Relay. It restricts the total size of file transfers that you can have active at one time.
For example, if your limit was 100 MB, then you could send two 50 MB files or one 100 MB file or any combination up to 100 MB simultaneously. Once those file transfers were completed, you could send another 100 MB and so on. There is no limit to how many times you could send 100 MB of data. Once your recipients receive your files, you could transfer up to 100 MB again.
Also, when you send a file to multiple recipients at the same time, it only counts against your transfer limit once. Your computer only needs to transmit one copy of the file when sending to more than one recipient.
Q:
What happens when a file expires?
A:
When a file is originally transmitted to the magicVORTEX Relay, it is automatically scheduled to be deleted from the Relay if the transfer is not completed by a certain date. This pre-scheduled deletion date is the file's "expiration date". Each file's expiration date is calculated based on the Sender's subscription plan. Once a file's expiration date has passed (whether it has been retrieved or not), it is automatically deleted from the Relay's storage arrays and transfer is cancelled.
Additionally, when a file is downloaded via the website, its expiration date is re-calculated to be 24 hours from the time when it was first downloaded. This gives recipients who do not use the magicVORTEX application up to 1 full day to successfully retrieve their file.
Q:
Is this file transfer service HIPAA compliant for medical information transfer purposes?
A:
Yes, it is. For additional information, please read our magicVORTEX HIPAA Conformance Statement available in the News section of the Community tab of the website. (Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view this document.)
PINs (or personal identification numbers) are automatically generated for all file recipients who are not registered magicVORTEX users. Such recipients use these PINs to validate their identities when they visit the magicVORTEX website to pickup files they've received. Each nonregistered user will receive their own PIN any time a file is sent to them in the form of an automated file notification email message.
Once a PIN is generated, it cannot be changed. If a nonregistered user would like increased security regarding files that they've received, then we recommend that they register for their own magicVORTEX account (including the free Introductory Plan). To signup for an account, simply visit the Sign Up page.
Finally, if a nonregistered user does not pickup any files within a year, then their PIN will be automatically deleted after one year. Naturally, a new PIN will be generated for them if they ever receive a new file.
Q:
What are Aliases?
A:
Aliases allow you to associate all of your email addresses to your magicVORTEX account. An email address that is set up as an alias becomes synonymous with your Primary Email Address. The benefit is that you can be reached through all of your email addresses no matter your current location. Note, however, that you cannot use an alias email address to login to this service; you still must use your Primary Email Address.
Using aliases does not enable you to send files back and forth between multiple people with one account. They only help one account receive files addressed to any your aliases in addition to your Primary Email Address.
In order to create an Alias, you'll need to have a magicVORTEX account so that you can log in to the My Account tab of the website and go to the Aliases section.
Q:
What is a Guest Pass? And how does it work?
A:
A Guest Pass allows you to enable other people to send you files using your account. Think of it as having someone send you a file "collect". A Guest Pass is valid until its displayed expiration date or until you revoke it, whichever occurs first. A Guest Pass does have some limitations. Your guest will only be able to: send you files, send files via this website, and send files no larger than your current Transfer Limit. When you issue a Guest Pass, your guest will receive an email describing the Guest Pass as well as instructions on how to redeem it.
In order to issue someone a Guest Pass, you'll need to have a magicVORTEX account so that you can log in to the My Account tab of the website and go to the Guest List section.
Q:
Is there a way to issue a permanent Guest Pass so that my guests can send files at any time, instead of having to re-issue a Guest Pass each time one expires?
A:
Guest Passes were not designed to allow users to grant guests permanent access to their accounts. There are no plans to create a more permanent form of Guest Pass. If you have contacts that send you files regularly, we suggest that you either sponsor their magicVORTEX accounts or ask them to sign up for their own magicVORTEX accounts.
Q:
Is there some way I (or you) can remove some of the entries on my file history page?
A:
No. Due to the nature of the service that we provide, our policy is not to delete any entries from our file history. These entries in your File History are not counted against your account in any way. Please note that in the future we may implement an archiving system.
However, when you view the magicVORTEX File History web page, you have the ability to filter the files that are displayed. By default, the list contains the 25 most recent received files are as well as the 25 most recent sent files. You can also view this list of files by month and year.
In order to view your File History, you'll need to have a magicVORTEX account so that you can log in to the My Account tab of the website and go to the File History section.
Q:
I want to switch which email address is my Primary Email Address. How do I do that?
A:
Simply follow these steps:
If you do not already have one, create an Alias using your new email address and activate it when the activation email message arrives.
Select one of your aliases to become your new Primary Email Address.
Your previous Primary Email Address will now become an alias, which you can delete if desired.
In order to switch your Primary Email Address, you'll need to have a magicVORTEX account so that you can log in to the My Account tab of the website and go to the Switch Primary Email Address subsection.
In order to use magicVORTEX to send files, you need to sign up for a magicVORTEX account with a subscription plan (including the free, 30-day Introductory Plan). Once you have an account, you can both send and receive files. Those who do not have an active magicVORTEX subscription can only receive files.
magicVORTEX users have two options available for sending files:
Download and install the magicVORTEX application in order to transfer files directly from your computer, or
Visit the Send Files tab of the website and transfer your files from there.
Once your Introductory Plan expires, you have a number of other subscription plans to choose from. In order to review our existing plans, visit the More Info tab of the website and go to the Pricing section.
Q:
After I've sent a file, how does my recipient know about it?
A:
The file's intended recipient will receive the file, but the manner in which they do so depends upon whether or not they are a registered magicVORTEX user.
If they ARE a registered magicVORTEX user:
If they have installed the magicVORTEX application, then the application will download the file automatically and notify them appropriately, or
If they do not use the application, then they will receive a file notification email message explaining that a file has been sent to them and that they should visit the Pickup Files tab on the website in order to pick it up.
If they ARE NOT a registered magicVORTEX user, then they will receive a file notification email message explaining that a file has been sent to them and that they should visit the Pickup Files tab on the website in order to pick it up using the PIN shown in the message.
Q:
I've transferred a file to someone, but they say that they haven't received the file notification email message. What happened to the email message that they were supposed to get?
A:
Regarding the missing email message, your recipient may not have received the file notification email message from our magicVORTEX Relay due to a number of reasons. Most commonly, however, if your recipient (or possibly their Internet service provider) utilizes anti-spam software, then the file notification email message may have been automatically deleted or blocked by it. If at all possible, ask your recipient to add "relay@magicvortex.com" (or, simply the "magicvortex.com" domain) to their list of "safe" email senders.
After they do this, you can resend the file notification email message to them by visiting the File History section of the My Account tab of the website, selecting the file you sent, and then (while viewing that file's details) pressing the "Resend Notice" button.
Additionally, email messages can be temporarily delayed if the sending email server cannot "connect" to the recipient's email server before a predetermined time elapses. Finally, if your recipient's email box is full, then their email server will most likely reject any email messages sent to it.
Q:
When I transfer a file, does my recipient need the magicVORTEX application installed to retrieve it?
A:
No. Your recipient will receive a file notification email message from "magicVORTEX Relay" (relay@magicvortex.com) with the subject line in the form: "{X} has sent you a file via magicVORTEX", where {X} is the file sender's Display Name. This email message will provide your recipient with a URL link to the file pickup portion of this website. In addition, this email message will contain additional details about the file being sent including the file's name, size, when it was sent, the sender's email address, and a description of the file (if one exists).
When your recipient visits the Pickup Files tab on the website, they can download the file using their web browser. Optionally, your recipient may sign up for a magicVORTEX account, download and install the application, and then receive the file via the magicVORTEX application.
Q:
When I download a file via the website, will it be downloaded by my magicVORTEX application if I already have it installed?
A:
No. Downloading files via the website and via the magicVORTEX application are two totally separate processes. The former is simply an HTTP file transfer, while the latter utilizes magicVORTEX's facilitated streaming process.
Please note, however, that once you begin downloading a file via the website that file cannot be downloaded via the application and visa versa.
Q:
How do I transfer all files within a folder?
A:
Many magicVORTEX users have asked how to send multiple files or an entire folder (directory) in one transmission. (magicVORTEX can send multiple files at once; it cannot, however, send an entire directory structure.)
We recommend that you use a file compression tool (like WinZip from WinZip Computing, Inc.) to compress multiple files together into one file. Next, send the one file via magicVORTEX and expand (or decompress) it on the receiving side.
This technique has several benefits, including:
Your recipient will receive only one file notification email message.
Your data will be compressed and take less time to transfer.
You can retain the directory structure if subfolders were included in the compressed file.
If you opt to use this technique, then make sure that your recipient has the appropriate software to decompress your file.
Q:
I recently sent a large file and it took a long time for it to transfer. When my recipient receives it, is it going take that long for them to retrieve the file or will it be faster?
A:
The file transfer times that users experience are dependent upon each user's Internet connection speed. If your recipient has an Internet connection as fast as yours, then they will be able to download the file in approximately the same amount of time. If they have a slower connection, then it will take longer. If they have a faster connection, then it will be shorter. Keep in mind that many of today's broadband services offer dramatically slower upload transfer rates than download transfer rates.
Another factor that could increase transfer time for your recipient, is if your recipient decides not to download the file all at once. If they were to use the magicVORTEX application to retrieve the file, then they have the option of not transferring the file "in one sitting". Of course, this is entirely up to them.
My magicVORTEX application cannot connect to your service (even though I am connected to the Internet). Why is this?
A:
Some currently available Internet-based security applications may cause network traffic interruptions when used in conjunction with the magicVORTEX application. This is due to the Internet traffic that the magicVORTEX application generates while transferring files to/from your computer.
Check if any anti-virus or Internet security software is installed on your computer. Examples of such software include: Norton Anti-Virus, Norton Personal Firewall, Norton Internet Security, McAfee VirusScan, McAfee Personal Firewall Plus, McAfee Internet Security, and Zone Labs ZoneAlarm.
If any of these security programs (or programs like them) are installed, then please temporarily disable them in order to test if the magicVORTEX application works properly when such security software is not enabled. Most protection software allows you to add exceptions (or "safe websites") to the website blocking feature. The magicVORTEX application only communicates to the Internet domain: "magicvortex.com". You should also check if the security software has blocked the program itself (magicVORTEX.exe).
To determine whether your magicVORTEX application is connected to our service, visit: Am I online?
Q:
What happens to files that are automatically downloaded by the magicVORTEX application?
A:
The magicVORTEX application is designed to automatically download any files that have been sent to you. This occurs without any file notification email messages being sent. (Please note, however, that if you do not run the magicVORTEX application every day, then you will receive a reminder file notification email message if you have not picked up your file after a day.)
When the application transfers any files, it saves them temporarily into a special folder called the "Cage". The Cage is a directory (or folder) on your computer where the magicVORTEX application stores all data for files that are undergoing transfer. When a you receive a file, the data remains in the Cage until you either save that file or delete it. (Likewise, when you send a file, a copy of that file gets stored in the Cage until the transfer is completed.) Saving a file can be thought of as pulling a file out of the Cage. You should only save files that you trust.
The Cage acts as a quarantine for files until they are completed. It can protect you from computer viruses by holding files in a secured area. You can always safely delete a file from the Cage before it can harm your computer if, in fact, it turns out to be a malicious program. Remember to never save a suspicious-looking file, delete it immediately. If you get a file from someone you cannot identify, use caution and inquire via email before saving it.
When you have finished receiving a file (and the application has marked the file with a "Ready to Save" status), the last step you must do is to save your file. When you save a file, you will be prompted to supply a filename (with the sender's filename used as a default) and a folder to save the file to. The file will then be moved out of the Cage and to the folder specified.
To learn more about the magicVORTEX application and how to save files that you receive, please visit our online documentation at magicVORTEX Online Help.
Q:
When I use the magicVORTEX application is there a way that I can save a group of files all at once, instead of having to save each file individually?
A:
Yes, there is. When you use the magicVORTEX application (using the Grid Console), then you have the ability to save multiple files into one folder. All you need to do is highlight all of the files that you'd like to save into one folder and press the "Save" button. Please note, however, that when you save multiple files in this way, you will not be allowed to rename files individually (i.e., they will keep the filenames they were originally sent with).
Q:
Can I run the magicVORTEX application on more than one computer using the same magicVORTEX account on all of the computers?
A:
No, you should not run the magicVORTEX application on more than one computer at a time using the same account's security credentials (i.e., Primary Email Address and Password).
If you do run the application (using the same account) on more than one computer at the same time, then you may encounter erratic download behavior. This is not a bug in the application; it is the way that magicVORTEX was designed. If multiple computers, running the magicVORTEX application concurrently, are trying to log in to the same account at the same time (in order to download a file), then only one of those computers will be successful in initiating that file's download. Each time a new file is ready for downloading, a different computer may download it. Thus, tracking down where that file was downloaded to, may be a source of continuous consternation.
We highly recommend against using the magicVORTEX application in this manner. Since this uses the magicVORTEX File Transfer Service in an unsupported manner, we do not officially support such users as a matter of policy.
There is one important caveat, however, if you want to use the application on your home computer and your work computer using the same account, then that is perfectly acceptible practice--as long as both computers are not "turned on" at the same time.
Q:
Sometimes when I transfer files using the application, the transfer appears to stop at X% or it doesn't transfer at all. Why does this happen?
A:
There may be a number of reasons why this may be happening.
If you are receiving a file and you cannot download it, please make sure that the file's sender has completely uploaded the file. You cannot download a file from the magicVORTEX Relay, if it has not been completely sent yet.
In some cases, we have had customers have difficulty transferring files (both sending and receiving) when they use some types of internet security software on their computer. This is especially true while using the magicVORTEX application. If this is true in your case, then if you have the opportunity, temporarily de-activate your Internet security software and test transferring files again via magicVORTEX. If you succeed, then your Internet security software is the source of the blockage.
If this is the case, then you can do one of two things:
"Turn off" or deactivate this firewall software, or
Configure the Internet security software to allow traffic to magicvortex.com (i.e., make magicvortex.com a "safe website").
Finally, if you don't use any Internet security software, you may want to consider decreasing your Packet Size. This is especially relevant if your Internet connection is intermittant or if your computer needs to frequently re-transmit data due to networking errors it encounters. Try the 2 KB (or 8 KB) Packet Size and see how that works for you.
Q:
Is there any help available for the magicVORTEX application?
What are the system requirements for running the magicVORTEX application?
A:
Microsoft Windows 95, 98, Me, NT 4.0, 2000, or XP
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 (or higher) installed
Internet Connection (broadband, dial-up, or direct)
Proxy support through browser options
Q:
Is there a version of the magicVORTEX application for the Macintosh? Or for Linux?
A:
While we are not currently working on versions of magicVORTEX for other platforms, we are always examining our options. Should magicVORTEX be developed for other systems, we will announce it on our website.
Do I need to use Microsoft Internet Explorer as my web browser?
A:
No. However, if you are using the magicVORTEX application, then it is required is that Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 (or higher) be installed on your PC. If you prefer to use another web browser, such as Netscape, the service will still operate normally.
Q:
What ports does your service utilize?
A:
magicVORTEX can use either port 80 (HTTP) or port 443 (HTTPS).
If you are using the magicVORTEX application to perform your file transfers, then you have the option changing your application's Connection Method setting to be either in "Standard Mode" (via HTTP) or in "Secure Mode" (via HTTPS).
If you are using the website to perform your files transfers, then you have a similar abilty to switch between Standard and Secure Mode.
Yes, we offer Net 30-day terms and email-based invoice delivery to organizations that have 5 or more active, subscription-based accounts. Other restrictions may apply. Please contact our
, if you have questions regarding this or if you would like to take advantage of this payment method.
Q:
Do you offer discounts if I have multiple magicVORTEX accounts?
A:
Yes, when you consolidate your billing onto one master account, then we can offer volume discounts based upon the total number of accounts you have.
For 1 - 2 accounts:
Full Price
For 3 - 9 accounts:
15% discount
For 10 - 24 accounts:
25% discount
For 25 - 99 accounts:
40% discount
For 100+ accounts:
Contact our
for a custom estimate
Q:
Do you offer plans with renewal frequencies that are greater than one month?
A:
Yes, we offer plans with longer frequencies. Although, they are not publically available, they include semi-annual and annual versions of our existing plans. Please do not hesitate to contact our if you have any questions regarding these plans or if you would like to take advantage of these plans.
Q:
I signed up to use your service for one month, why am I still getting charged?
A:
When you signed up to use our file transfer service, you were shown a confirmation screen with the following text displayed above a button labeled, "Accept":
"By clicking Accept, you authorize magicVORTEX to charge your credit card for the amount displayed above. If you purchased an ongoing subscription plan, then you will be charged this amount on a recurring basis. You can cancel your subscription at any time either at this website or by emailing
."
Please be sure to review the details of your subscription plan carefully. Currently, most of our subscription plans recur monthly. That said, if you ever have questions regarding your account's billing, please do not hesitate to contact our
.
Q:
How can I cancel my subscription plan?
A:
If you've signed up for one of our recurring subscription plans, then you may cancel your subscription at any time. All you need to do is log in to the My Account tab of the website and go to the Subscription section.
I'm interested in sponsoring my client's account. Can I do this with your service?
A:
Yes. We can easily consolidate the billing of additional accounts onto one master account. Additionally, we can also create a Private Transfer Network for you to enforce restrictions on the accounts that you sponsor. Finally, you must sponsor accounts in order to take advantage of any volume discounts (see above) that may apply.
If you would like to sponsor a magicVORTEX account, simply follow the instructions for creating a Private Transfer Network (see below). For multiple sponsored accounts, provide this information for each account.
Q:
If I manage a group of magicVORTEX users, is there a way that I can restrict them from sending data to anyone?
A:
Yes, you could create a Private Transfer Network (PTN) for your group. A Private Transfer Network allows you to create a private community of users where sending data can be restricted to only other members of that community.
Within a Private Transfer Network, each member is assigned one of three restriction levels. In order from least restrictive to most restrictive, they are:
Universal Members can transfer files to any Internet email address.
Core Members can transfer files to any member within the Private Transfer Network.
Satellite Members can transfer files to any Core or Universal members within the Private Transfer Network. With this restriction level, members cannot transfer files outside the network or to other Satellite members within the PTN. (This is useful for PTN where members should only send data to a central user or set of users.)
Finally, charges from all of the accounts within a Private Transfer Network are consolidated to one master account (see below).
Q:
How do I create a Private Transfer Network (PTN)?
A:
We can easily create a PTN for you. All you need to do is send us the following information:
Tell us which of your accounts will become your "master account". A master account functions like a standard magicVORTEX account, with the exception that all of your charges are applied to this account.
Sign up and activate all of your other accounts. Be sure to choose the Introductory Plan for these other accounts. For each of these accounts, tell us:
The account's email address.
The subscription plan that you would like this account to use.
Any PTN restriction level (see above) that you would like to implement for this account. (If you do not specify one, we'll assign the Universal restriction level.)
Please contact our
if you would like to implement a Private Transfer Network.
Sending files to yourself can be a great way to share files between your work and home computers. Just install the magicVORTEX application on both computers and use the same email address to sign in.
