A Guide to Finding the Best Online Storage Service

18. June 2009 · Write a comment · Categories: Backup · Tags: , , , ,

There are a lot of online storage services available today but the key to having complete confidence that your files and data are securely backed up is choosing the best online storage solution there is. With the gradual transition to a paperless society, the need for online backup services has never been more felt. All sorts of important information and personal files can be rendered irretrievable in a matter of seconds. But by subscribing to an online storage backup facility, these scenarios could be a thing of the past. And if you think that backup functions are all these services can offer, think again. Here is a rundown of what other benefits can be had from storing your data “in the cloud.” Data Loss Protection. Computer crashes, hard drive failure, even natural disasters can bring about loss of data. Whether one loses important business documents or personal files, the damage can be just as equally difficult to recover from. Anytime, Anywhere File Access. External hard drives may be able to provide secure protection from data loss but it does not allow remote access of your files wherever you may be as long as there is an internet connection.File Sharing. Let family members take a peek at your latest pictures or work colleagues comment on your business proposal. Online storage backups provide for convenient file sharing with other people. Now the question remains as to what you should look for in a storage service. When comparing backup solutions, ask yourself these five questions:What features come with the package?The basic features that most online backup services offer are file storage, remote file access, file sharing, automatic backups, and easy file uploading and downloading. Identify the features you need the most and check out which is the best online storage service for that category.Is the service secure?Security is a big issue for many online storage users. Unlike external hard drives where you have physical control over your files, you may think that online services can put your confidential files at a risk of unauthorized access. The good news is, online storage backups use encryption technology and password protection to ensure that your files are completely secure.Is it the best value-for-money service?Many online storage services come for free and these may be worth looking into. However, paying a small fee can also give you access to some of the better features such as unlimited storage space.Is it easy to use?Storage services should be as user-friendly as possible else you risk the possibility of not being able to backup your files properly. If a software seems too complicated to use, by all means scratch it off your list.Is there sufficient technical support?While using the service you may run into some snags. Prepare yourself for these situations by making sure that the online storage service you choose has a complete tutorial, customer service hotline, or online email or chat support.

Now that you know what to look for when finding the best online storage service, be sure to read the online backup reviews of the two most popular and widely used companies that provide easy-to-use and dirt cheap online backup for home users!

Carbonite Review: An Honest Look at the Carbonite Backup Service

16. June 2009 · Write a comment · Categories: Backup · Tags: , , , , , ,

Carbonite backup is one the many online backup storage services available in the market today which are designed to provide alternative backup protection in the event of computer failures or natural catastrophes.  This Carbonite review takes a closer look at the service and evaluates its features to see how it keeps up with the demands of the times.Carbonite Backup Basic FeaturesFor an annual subscription fee of $54.95, the service offers unlimited backup capacity, encryption technology for secure storage, a convenient backup process, and technical support through phone, live chat, or email. It is compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Mac.Carbonite uses a single type of service which is applicable both for personal and business use. Currently, the service is free for a 15-day trial period with no credit card required.ProsCarbonite users are completely impressed and satisfied with many of this online backup service’s features, among them: Ease of Use – It is easy to set-up and use. The installation is fast and simple and the backup process is easy to follow.Security – Files are encrypted before leaving your computer and are stored encrypted on Carbonite’s secured servers, completely safeguarding them from unauthorized access. Background Worker – This online storage backup facility functions quietly in the background without slowing down your computer or causing any disruption to your work.  Automatic Backup – After the quick installation and initial backup, you can practically forget about it. Most file types are automatically backed up so you don’t even have to think about doing the task yourself. Reliable Service at a Small Cost – Carbonite backup offers a very affordable way of keeping your files secure. At less than $5/month, that’s a small price to pay for convenience and peace of mind. ConsDespite its strengths, however, the it is by no means perfect. In fact, there are a number of areas where users hope to see some enhancements on in the near future.For one, while Carbonite’s customer support is better than most it still needs improvement according to some users. Some have complained that their queries aren’t answered as quickly as they’d like and the information they get isn’t as thorough as they had hoped. The fact they offer phone, chat, and email support is a good move, but they also have to pay more attention to the quality of help that they are giving, say some users.Restoring files in volume or doing so to another operating system (e.g. Windows XP to Vista) has proven to be a difficult experience for some. Since the main intention of having an online storage backup is to have access to your files anytime you may need them, a complicated retrieval process can discourage users from utilizing the service.It would also be good to remember that Carbonite’s automatic backup function only works for documents, photos, music files, email, and settings. Videos, programs files, and large individual files need to be selected for backup manually. However, once you select those files, they are automatically backed up from that point forward. This is very important to point out because some users have complained that they lost their videos after their computer crashed because they assumed they were being backed up when they were not. Carbonite Review Summary Carbonite is one of the more reliable online backup services available today. It places a lot of emphasis on ease of use and security, which are two of the main considerations that home users look for. However, it is not perfect but none of these services are. There has to be some comprimise when you’re paying less than $5/month for unlimited online backup. The good news is, Carbonite and services similar to it continue to improve every year.

Before you make your decision, be sure to read the detailed Carbonite backup review here. Then be sure to read the Carbonite vs Mozy analysis to see how it stacks up against the other popular online backup service for the home user.

Mozy Home Review: The Good and the Not-so-Good about Mozy Home Online Backup Service

14. June 2009 · Write a comment · Categories: Backup · Tags: , , , , , , ,

Mozy Home is one of the two services offered by Mozy for online backup. The other is Mozy Pro which is intended for business use. As the name implies, this service is intended for personal and home use. Compared to other online storage services, Mozy Home is one of the more affordable online backup solutions for the home. This review will provide an overview of the service and will help you determine if it’s a good value for the money or not.For less than $5 per month, here’s a summary of what you get:Unlimited storageSoftware that is easy to install and use Automatic or scheduled backup on either the PC or MacMulti-layer security for both the transmission process and the file storageBackup process that works quietly in the background without slowing down your computerRemote access to filesWhat’s Good and Not-so-GoodOne great thing about Mozy Home is that there is a free version for those who only have a small amount of data to backup. The free version allows you to backup up to 2GB of data. If you need more space than that, then you’ll need to upgrade to the unlimited plan. Don’t worry, though, because the plan is less than $5 per month and you get unlimited backup storage space! Getting started with Mozy Home for first-time users is not a problem at all as the setup process is simple and the interface is user-friendly. But don’t be surprised if the initial backup takes days to finish if you have a really large volume of data to back up. The same is true with other online storage and backup services due to the constraints of the upload speeds of Internet connections.Once the initial backup is completed, you can set it to do automatic backups or scheduled backups. From that point forward, Mozy Home works seamlessly in the background without hogging so much of your computer’s resources. The service also gets points when it comes to the security of your files as they are encrypted before leaving your computer and are then uploaded via a secured Internet connection and then stored in their encrypted state on Mozy’s secure servers. When it comes to restoring your files, Mozy gives you three options on how you want your files restored: desktop, web, and DVD restore. Having multiple options to restore your data is good but some users have reported that the restore process can take a while. In some cases, it can take Mozy a good 24 hours just to prepare your data for restoration if you have a large set of data to restore, and that doesn’t include the time it takes to actually download the files or have them sent to you via the DVDs if you choose that option.For smaller files, you can do a quick and easy desktop restore, where you simply use the restore interface found in your Mozy Home desktop software interface. For larger files however, Mozy recommends you use web restore where you make a restore request directly to Mozy. While the request itself can be done easily, downloading the zip files can take some time, and for those unfamiliar with zip files, sorting through these can be pretty daunting. If either option doesn’t work for you, you can also use the DVD restore alternative and have your files sent to you on DVD for a fee of about $60.Mozy Home also doesn’t fare as well when it comes to customer support, according to some users. For starters, there is no telephone support. You can only contact Mozy via live chat or by email. The other issue is that some users have commented that Mozy can be slow to respond to queries and that the information provided isn’t always thorough. However, many users report that Mozy’s support is responsive and excellent at providing information.Mozy Home Review SummaryJust like any other online backup service, Mozy Home has its pros and cons. It isn’t perfect but then again no service is. Overall, Mozy Home is an excellent value. To get unlimited backup for less than $5 per month is cheap “insurance” and a great way to protect your important files and data.

Read the full Mozy Home review to get more detailed information and to find out how to get 10% off your subscription! Only then will you be able to decide if it is the best online storage solution for you!

Carbonite vs Mozy Home: Which Service Holds the Edge for Online Backup?

13. June 2009 · Write a comment · Categories: Backup · Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Carbonite vs Mozy Home is the ultimate match-up between two of the leading online backup services available today. In this day in age where data loss, virus attacks, computer crashes, and theft are too common, it’s imperative computer files are backed up regularly and that’s where these two providers come into play. So why only compare Carbonite vs Mozy Home? The answer is easy. These are the two most popular and widely used online backup services for home users right now. They dominate this market because they both are easy to use and very inexpensive. The real question is, which one is best? Let’s take a look at some of the most important areas to evaluate when it comes to online backup and see how these two providers compare.Cost & Storage CapacityThe amount of data you can backup online and the cost of doing so are probably the two areas of concern that come to mind immediately for home users contemplating which backup provider to choose. Both Carbonite and Mozy Home offer unlimited backup. It doesn’t matter if you have a few files to backup or several thousand, you won’t have anything to worry about with either provider. Carbonite offers one, two, and three year subscriptions. The one year subscription costs $54.95. Mozy Home offers a month-to-month plan and one and two year subscriptions. Their month-to-month plan costs $4.95/month while their one year subscriptions are $54.45. Ease of UseBoth providers promise their services are easy to use and that the backup process when using their services is literally “set and forget.” According to most users of both services, Carbonite and Mozy Home deliver on those promises. There is one common complaint, however, for both providers and that is the time it takes for the initial backup. It’s important to point out that this isn’t the fault of either service provider. The time it takes for the initial backup is totally dependent on amount of the data that needs to be backed up and the speed of your Internet connection. If you have 30GB of data that needs to be backed up initially it will take roughly the same amount of time using either one of these providers because of the constraints of upload speeds of most Internet connections.While the match up in this area seems to be even, Carbonite takes the slight edge over Mozy Home according to users because of its simple interface. Mozy Home has more advanced settings within its interface which may satisfy computer geeks but it seems to be overwhelming for some home users.  Backup Process and Security Carbonite and Mozy Home both allow automatic or scheduled backups so that you can just install the software, run the initial backup and select your backup settings (automatic or scheduled), and then just literally forget about it. As for security, both of these online backup service providers use advanced technology to ensure that your files are encrypted on your computer before they are uploaded to their secured servers. Both services keep your files encrypted while being stored on their servers.Restoring FilesCarbonite uses a standard process for restoring files which is activated simply by using the restore function in the software’s desktop interface. With Mozy Home, you can restore your files using one of three methods: desktop interface restore, web restore, and DVD restore. It is also important to note that with both Carbonite and Mozy Home, restoring a large set of data and files can take a while so if you have 30GB of data to restore, don’t expect to have it back on your computer within a few hours. Instead, it can take a few days.  Customer SupportIn this category, users of both services say their is need for improvement. There have been comments from users of both providers that support can be slow at responding to customer queries and that the information they are given isn’t complete and thorough. Overall, Carbonite has the edge because it offers phone, live chat, and email support. Mozy Home only offers live chat and email support. Carbonite vs Mozy Home SummaryJudging from the above feature-for-feature match up, Carbonite and Mozy Home are virtually identical in price and features so it’s difficult to declare an absolute winner. Neither one is perfect but you shouldn’t expect that when you’re getting unlimited online storage for less than $5/month. For every customer that swears by Carbonite, there is one that swears by Mozy Home. The match up is virtually dead even.The best thing to do is to try both services to see which one works best for you and to decide which one you like the best. Both services are incredibly cheap and easy to test. Carbonite backup offers a free 15-day trial and Mozy Home has a month-to-month option that only costs $4.95/month. Take them both for a test drive and see for yourself which one is the winner!

Read the full Carbonite vs Mozy Home comparison and review and see which one is declared the “Editor’s Choice” by the editor of the website, best online storage.

Online Backup Solutions

12. June 2009 · Write a comment · Categories: Backup · Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What if a fire, flood, theft or any other disaster would destroy your lifetime work, your very important data base, all of your information? You must have some onsite backup solution, but what you really need is an online backup service that will help insure that the critical information is always available and secure.

We are living in times where data of any kind are at stake. Internet trespassing and theft has become an issue that endangers every site, with no importance to what it may contain. Although it may seem as having no importance it has been demonstrated that the so called hackers have made terrible disasters, to many business industries by braking into the most guarded data bases.

New recovery software has been developed, producing remarkable changes in the way business work. One of these would be Online Server Backup, which eliminates typical backup headaches. The ability to automate your backup and remove the data off-site to a secure backup with a click mouse button is now a reality. Initially it may seem expensive, but at a closer look, it is understandable since online backup technology utilizes a company’s existing telecom lines Online backup server eliminates all these traditional cost factors.

Nowadays everything goes around the clock. Technology at a maximum speed evolution offers the solution for a maximum speed efficiency of work. Nothing can be done without having a computer and most of all without having constantly connection and access to internet provider. The latter offers a great deal of information and online programs which help you to be constantly on track with your work, in the event of problems or if you simply desire improvement. One of these online services, that provide you assistance and help, is the Online Backup Services.

Online Server Backup is using software that automates the uploading of selected files to a remote computer and it has the ability to restore files, using internet. Many providers offer a free trial period so that you can determine whether you buy it or not. The online service provider supplies you with software that has to be installed on the Pc or server you wish to backup.

The software allows you to select the files to backup and set up a backup schedule. Afterwards, your data will be normally encrypted to secure it from eventual trespassers, compressed to speed up transfer and reduce the amount of storage space required, and uploaded to the server at the service provider’s data center.

In case you wish to use online backup service, you have to know that the first time you will use online backup, it will take a long time. Of course, there is no exact time, because this depends on the amount of data you want to backup. Generally it is a matter of several hours, but it may also be a matter of days, before the software finishes backing up your selected data, because it has to not only storage your data, but also encrypt, compress and copy it onto the remote server.

Data problem has become a critical component in an organization’s disaster recovery and business continuity plans. Data is not only the foundation of business but remains a vital irreplaceable strategic asset. Faced with increasingly failed strategies of recovering lost data, disaster planning professional have no other alternative but look for new recovery solutions.

Could you recreate the emails, documents and photos on your home computer in the event of a virus or hard drive failure? If your computer was stolen would you be able to recreate or restore all the memories taken? With Empyreal Systems Online Backup you could rest easy that no matter what your data is safe and accessible only by you 24x7x365Online Backup by Empyreal Systems http://empyrealsystems.com/
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