(www.cox.net)

Backing up and sharing digital files got easier for Cox high-speed Internet customers with preferred and premier service levels. The 5-gigabyte online vault stores digital files which can be retrieved from any online computer.

I set up my vault and uploaded files to it in less than two minutes. To get started, users should log into their Cox accounts, head to the "Internet tools" link, then go to the "media store and share" link on the left side of the page. The instructions guide the user in setting up folders, including creating areas for music, photos, videos and documents.

The service is a consumer version of an FTP (file transfer protocol) site used by many users with a need to move large files across the Internet.

"We're committed to helping our customers get more of what they're into," said Leo Brannon, senior vice president and general manager of Cox Las Vegas.

Customers can also download a free program that will automatically copy specified files from their computer into the storage vault on a regular schedule. This backup service isn't available for Macintosh users, but the manual process is quick and easy.

• YellowPages Travel

(www.yellowpages.travel)

Searching for the best rates for air, hotel, rental cars, tours and just about anything involving travel just got easier. Shoppers enter their dates and locations once, then the site fills in the blanks on many of the top travel Web sites. Icons for each travel portal appear on the return page, then a click takes you to the destination site, such as Orbitz, Expedia, CheapOTickets, or any of the 24 sites searched by the service.

I found it easy to complete my searches, as a new browser tab is launched for each portal search. Comparing fares and rates is simple, shortening the time spent looking for the best deals.

• Free Shipping

(www.freeshipping.org)

Attention, online shoppers. Bookmark this site. Now.

With links to more than 800 merchants offering either free shipping or other coupon deals, this is a must-visit spot for bargain hunters. Shoppers can search by brand or category and can also find merchants offering free overnight shipping.

Who doesn't like free?

I've posted more online shopping tips from this site on my Tidbits Blog (www.lvrj.com/blogs/onlineguy).

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Send me your online shopping secrets via e-mail or post them to my blog and I'll share the best ones in a future column. Use the subject line "shopping."

Share your Internet story with me at agibes@reviewjournal.com.