Your site has several file directories, which are used to store and process uploaded and generated files. The <em>public</em> file directory, which is configured in your settings.php file, is the default place for storing uploaded files. Links to files in this directory contain the direct file URL, so when the files are requested, the web server will send them directly without invoking your site code. This means that the files can be downloaded by anyone with the file URL, so requests are not access-controlled but they are efficient. The <em>private</em> file directory, also configured in your settings.php file and ideally located outside the site web root, is access controlled. Links to files in this directory are not direct, so requests to these files are mediated by your site code. This means that your site can check file access permission for each file before deciding to fulfill the request, so the requests are more secure, but less efficient. You should only use the private storage for files that need access control, not for files like your site logo and background images used on every page. The <em>temporary</em> file directory is used internally by your site code for various operations, and is configured on the <a href=":file-system">File system settings</a> page. You can also see the configured public and private file directories on this page, and choose whether public or private should be the default for uploaded files.