A method is provided for storing a file as slices on storage elements. A computer having memory and at least one computer processor receives a request to store a file. The file is split into slices. A respective header is generated to individually identify each one of the slices. Emails are generated and for each email: an email body includes one of the slices and an email subject line includes the respective header. Each of the emails is stored on storage elements. First metadata is generated for the file, and the first metadata includes information to reconstruct the file from the slices.