Online data backup services?

[Ben Klingston]

I'm ditching my external HD backup and going with something like iCloud, except I have a PC. The auto-sync software scares me. Googling brings up lots of different services - Carbonite, Dropbox, etc. Seems they vary in price, but $50-100/yr is the ballpark. Anyone have experience/recommendations with a service they use?

[npv708]

The popular ones are Skydrive (Microsoft) Drive (Google), Dropbox. I've used the free storage on both Skydrive and Drive as well as iCloud. I actually like Skydrive, but no real reason other than simple interface and backup.

[Ben Klingston]

The popular ones are Skydrive (Microsoft) Drive (Google), Dropbox. I've used the free storage on both Skydrive and Drive as well as iCloud. I actually like Skydrive, but no real reason other than simple interface and backup.

Thanks. I'm also wondering about how secure these services are. I mean, it's one thing to store pics and music there, but what if you have sensitive personal financial info/passwords, etc. Are these things encrypted? I suppose anything is susceptible to hacking...

[tifosi77]

For disaster-proofing, they say you should have the original and at least two backups in different media and at least one should be in an offsite location. So for important stuff like photos, digital copies of crucial docs (mortgage, wills, insurance policies, etc) we put those on a shared network drive, on DVDs, and to the cloud.

We use Carbonite for cloud backup, and it's pretty good. The only bummy thing is you can't backup a network drive on the basic plan. So I have to take an intermediate step and mirror the network drive on a dedicated internal drive in my PC which then can be backed up to Carbonite.

Also have Dropbox and Google drive accounts that are for frequent-use files.

[shafnutz05]

We use Carbonite for cloud backup, and it's pretty good.

And you thought all those hours listened to conservative talk radio wouldn't pay off...

[tifosi77]

Actually used a Howad Stern promo code, so neener neener to you.

[ExPatriatePen]

The popular ones are Skydrive (Microsoft) Drive (Google), Dropbox. I've used the free storage on both Skydrive and Drive as well as iCloud. I actually like Skydrive, but no real reason other than simple interface and backup.

Thanks. I'm also wondering about how secure these services are. I mean, it's one thing to store pics and music there, but what if you have sensitive personal financial info/passwords, etc. Are these things encrypted? I suppose anything is susceptible to hacking...

Encrypt PRIOR to storing files with one of these services.

Do NOT rely on them to provide the appropriate security.

If we're talking about photo's and music, meh... But of you're also backing up financial records and tax returns... Assume that the data will eventually fall into the wrong hands...

Can you think of a "higher profile target" than one of these services? Imagine if you're a former disgruntaled employee, or if you're a hacker who's skilled enough to coordinate a 'spear phishing' attack... What a treasure trove.

(Edit to correct spelling of you're)

[pittsoccer33]

how much data are you backing up?

I could never back my stuff up like this - maybe just a few documents and such, but with comcast's bandwidth restrictions it would take me 32 months

[tifosi77]

I have about 130 gigs of data backed up to Carbonite. When I set up the account, we were on a cable connection that had slow-ish upload speeds (~ 1 Mbs, iirc). It took me about six or seven days of my computer running 24/7 to get all that transferred. The good news is that once you get that first blast taken care of, it automatically updates in the background when files are changed or new files added to a designated folder location, and it's pretty transparent. I recently transferred a poop ton of photos from the Miramar airshow (~2,000 images), and by the time they finished copying off my SD card they had already been backed up to Carbonite.

Encrypt PRIOR to storing files with one of these services.

Do NOT rely on them to provide the appropriate security.

If we're talking about photo's and music, meh... But of you're also backing up financial records and tax returns... Assume that the data will eventually fall into the wrong hands...

Can you recommend a good encryption system/service?

[bh]

Can you recommend a good encryption system/service?

I would listen to whatever EPP recommends as I think this is his thing, as a suggestion however, I use truecrypt and it seems to do a good job as far as I am aware.

[scb147]

I use and recommend Crashplan. I switched to it when Mozy went from unlimited to a tier plans.

[ExPatriatePen]

Can you recommend a good encryption system/service?

I would listen to whatever EPP recommends as I think this is his thing, as a suggestion however, I use truecrypt and it seems to do a good job as far as I am aware.

TrueCrypt is one of the most respected and one that I totally endorse.

Here's one of the best articles written on the subject that I've read:

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-ways-to- ... the-cloud/

[tifosi77]

Thanks for that, some useful info there.