I had been thinking of setting up a backup of my computer(s) for a long time but never got around to it. I do have a networked attached storage (NAS) with redundant drives for some protection. But that doesn’t cover robbery at home, or fire other calamities of that nature.
So I just started looking at a few of those internet services that install a little agent on your computer and do an ongoing backup at scheduled intervals. They mostly all work pretty seamlessly. The plans vary slightly but not by much.
Now my questions are:
Has anyone used any of these services? Personal recommendations? (I know I can read their websites)
I’m concerned about the stability of the company, eg. if I need a set of files in a year I want to know if that company is going to be there.
Reliability of the claims of privacy that they will keep my files secure and not just anyone will get access to my files
THere are other concerns but those are the gist of it.
The services I’ve looked at are below:
Mozy.com - free 2 gb account - $4.95 for unlimited data (Home; one PC only)
There is also amazon S3 service but I think you need an interface program for that and there are many available as well. My personal choice would be mozyhome though. It's quite seamless and is a reputable/stable company (emc). micrsofot live is also offering 25gb free which is quite a lot.
What’s wrong with using external HD’s? I just bought a couple of Terabytes worth and store my backup stuff on there. I guess there are a lot of pros with storing files online, like instant accessibility wherever you are in the world, but i have a lot of “sensitive” and classified data/files etc… i still don’t wholly trust the net … that is the main issue, alongside the issues you already raised Tofi.
well, external drive usualy just sits next to the PC so if there's a fire then they're both doomed. Second these backups have agents to keep moving changed/new files so ur always protected.
There are pros and cons in each scenario. With USB drives etc you have to physically move them around if you use your laptop as primary computer and don't have a desktop (which is me). services like mozy appear like networked drive to you and it's there whenever you turn on your pc. However, security is a valid concern so for that use what I use: combination of TrueCrypt + axCrypt. Both are free and very reliable and once you password protect your files using axcrypt for example, folks even at NSA won't be able to crack them open.
Of course, you'd have to choose a stronger password, about 14 characters long :)
"Added encryption" takes care of unauthorized people peeping in
External drives fail
Leaving your external drive in your computer bag does not make it off-site; and secondly I don't know anyone who takes their external drive when they leave home
Tofi, I actually use both mozy and iDrive. With iDrive, I have a paid account.
I've been using it for the last two years without any problems.
Like you, my main concern was remote backups in case of unforeseen circumstances. I'm really paranoid about my work data being lost, so I had to invest in these things. In terms of personal backups, I use an external HD as well as a USB for the more frequently accessed/ongoing stuff.
I feel pretty secure with online storage. Most companies have very strict privacy and confidentiality policies that they disclose and adhere to for the most part. Users can do their bit by customizing the type of encryption they want on their storage, along with any other authentication and encryption mechanisms they want to use on their end (if the data needs to be extremely secure).
Speaking of the confidential data, I think as long as your SS# and date of birth etc is not written on every single damn electronic file out there, who really cares even if the data is lost or someone peeps into it? Don't get me wrong, I myself won't like anyone peeping on a txt file that I mioght have john donne poem written on but my point is that unless you're a terrorist/spy/cia operative/what-not or have identity theft related data, what havoc will it wreck upon the life of an average joe doe like myself?
What the worst that can happen, someone may know how much bank balance I have? where I live? my paystub info? All these info are confidential but not the end of the world. What are the chances that someone who works at the company will like to peep your data? now, if you're Sarah Palin then that's another story altogether!
Of course this doesn't apply to work related data as that can get you into trouble but as far as personal data goes don't you guys think a lot of info about us is already available out on net?
As Humphrey Bogart said "the problems of 32gb drives don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Someday you’ll understand that. "
Lucid, I was going to do exactly what you already have setup. With a couple of free 2 gb account and then 1 paid account I should be able to get most critical data backed up. Need to decide on what encryption methodology to implement.
tofi, do look into axcrypt. I use it to encrypt my individual files and it's got the best feature: once you open a file for editing you don't need to re-encrypt it. simply edit it and save it. It will use the existing password in memory to encrypt it back again and shred the editing copy. You can choose the option to keep the password in the memory and every other file that has the same password will open without any next prompt. Very convenient and totally free!
I use TruCrypt to create a crypted volume drive and then save my axcrypt file on it. You can back that trucrypt single file (that represents your volume drive) (that would be equivalent to double lock) or just explore it like windows explorer and backup that way.
… that is the main issue, alongside the issues you already raised Tofi.