Internet Backup and File Storage Services
Worried about losing the data on your computer? Saving your data onto a secure internet server protects you from theft, fire, and equipment failure. (Saving your data to an external USB drive does not protect you from theft or fire.) Internet backups can also make it possible to recover from corrupted or accidentally deleted files.
Internet backup services typically provide software that will automatically back up your essential files, mail messages, etc. so you don't have to manually fiddle with CD's, DVD's, or USB storage. Some of the top backup service providers are listed in the first table below.
Internet file storage services are another class of internet file storage where you upload (save) files yourself. This type of service is more appropriate for data that you want to share with someone else and that doesn't constantly change (since backing it up would be repetitious for you). A sampling of these providers are listed in the second table below.
File synchronization services are another variation on the backup/storage/sharing theme. The purpose of these services is to synchronize files between two or more devices. These devices may be computers, smartphones, or other internet-connected devices. Some file synchronization services include a repository on the service's servers. Even if you have only one computer, services with such a repository can function as a continuous backup service.
Consider these factors when choosing a backup service. If you can't find the answer to these questions on their web site, contact their tech support. If you are unable to get answers from tech support, consider it a warning!
- Does it run on my computer? All of the services listed below work on recent versions of Microsoft Windows, some work on recent versions of MacOS, a few provide instructions for use in Linux.
- Will files be backed up while they are in use? If, for example, you want your Outlook or Windows Mail files backed up, and you typically leave your mail program open all the time, then your mail files are open too. You want them to be backed up even while they're open.
- How frequently does it back up? Most will allow you to set a backup schedule; some backup up continuously (whenever files change).
- Does the service keep multiple versions of your files? Several allow you to retrieve the latest or previous versions of your files.
- How easy is it to retrieve individual files? Many providers map a drive letter (for example F:) to your space on their servers. To retrieve your data, you click through this network drive to find the file you want to restore.
- How easy is it to retrieve all your files? If you have a lot of data backed up and your disk goes bad, how many hours or days will it take to download your files? Will the service ship you your data on DVDs or on a pluggable hard drive?
- Is your data safe on the Internet? Is your data encrypted during transfer? Is it encrypted while on the server? Most services tout their encryption; a few don't mention it. Remember that your data is no safer than the password you set up on their web site!
- Are there limitations, for example file size limits, that rule out use of a particular service?
Internet
Backup Services
Most internet backup services provide such features as incremental backup, encryption of your data, and various methods of recovering your files if you lose your computer.
Tip: Features and prices change often, so double-check this info with the provider before making your final decision.
| Internet Backup Services | ||||
| Provider | Space @ Cost | Restore | Restrictions (may be more than listed here) |
Software& other notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backblaze backblaze.com |
unlimited @ $5/mo 15-day free trial |
"Restore from the web or get a DVD or USB drive sent via
FedEx." "Download any files you need over the Internet for free. Or order your files on a DVD ($99) or USB drive ($189)." |
|
"Backblaze online backup encrypts and uploads all your
data“ no questions asked. No picking files. No digging
through folders." "Your data is encrypted on your computer, sent over an encrypted connection, and stored encrypted."
|
| Box box.com |
Personal: 5 GB free 1000 GB @ $15/yr 14-day free trial |
|
|
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| Carbonite carbonite.com |
unlimited @ $59/yr 15-day free trial |
|
|
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| DriveHQ.com drivehq.com/backup/ | 1 GB free 2 GB @ $3/mo 6 GB @ $8/mo 20 GB @ $20/mo |
|
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| ElephantDrive 15-day free trial |
Personal 100: $10/mo, 1 computer Personal 250: $20/mo, 3 devices |
Maximum file sizes vary by plan |
|
|
| IBackup www.IBackup.com | 10 GB @ $10/mo Economy Plan, but often offer much more
storage for the same price 10 GB @ $20 Workgroup |
Webfolders. Can ship your data on removable disk |
|
|
| IDrive Click here to sign up or use promo code yellowcrayon |
5 GB Free Personal: 2000 GB @ $69.50 per year Business: Allows sub-accounts |
Only over internet via IDrive or via the IDrive desktop application | Multiple computers per IDrive account |
|
| Jungle Disk jungledisk.com |
$2 per user + $0.15 per GB/mo | Internet only |
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| Mozy.com | 2 GB Free 50 GB @ $6/mo 125 GB @ $10/mo |
for home users | Win, near-continuous, incremental,
open files. see http://mozy.com/pro/comparison |
|
| MozyPro.com | $4/mo + $0.50/GB/mo | |||
| Xdrive service closed - see Box.net or ElephantDrive.com |
5 GB Free |
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Internet
File Storage
Here's the table of file storage services. Photo-centric sites such as Flickr.com are not included. Some provide a way to send file download links to your friends or associates.
Warning: Some of the free services expire if you don't regulary use the service.
| Internet File Storage Services | |||
| Provider/ Plan | Space @ Cost | Restrictions (may be more than listed here) |
Software& other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box.net / Free | 1 GB free | 25 MB/file, 10 GB/mo | browser, ad-supported |
| Box.net / Individual | 5 GB @ $9.95/mo | 1 GB / file | browser |
| Box.net / Business | 15 GB/user/mo @ $15/mo | 1 GB / file | Phone support |
| DriveHQ.com | 2 GB @ $3/mo | Win, Mac, Linux via FTP or web browser |
|
| FileXoom.com | 2 GB Free | downloads limited /mo max 500 MB / file files kept 90 days after last download |
web browser, e-mailweb |
| FileXoom.com / Premium | 50 GB @ $2.50/mo | ||
| Mediamax (mediamax.com) / Free | 25 GB Free |
|
web browser; Win software in testing |
| Mediamax (mediamax.com) / Premium | 100 GB @ $5/mo |
|
|
| Skydrive Skydrive.Live.com |
25GB free | Requires Windows Live ID | Microsoft "25 GB of free storage on Windows Live. Keep your files to yourself, or share them with anyone you want. Get to your online files from home, work, or on the road. Drag files into your online folders, just like on your PC" |
| Snapdrive.net | 2 GB Free | (insufficient information) | (insufficient information) |
Synchronization
Below is a table of file synchronization services.
- They provide a way to share your files between your various devices such as Microsoft Windows-based computers, Apple MacOS based computers, and/or your smartphones.
- Some of them also store a copy of your files on the internet, protected by a password of your choosing.
- Some provide a way to send file download links to your friends or associates.
- For most of these services, syncing your files from one computer to their off-site storage is essentially the same as a backup service.
- Caution: Only a few synchronization services support multiple versions or history. If you delete a file on one computer, it may be deleted on all of them!
| File Synchronization | ||||
| Product or Service | Provider / Plan | Space @ Cost | Restrictions
(may be more than listed here) |
Features & other notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | Dropbox www.dropbox.com |
2GB free 50GB @ $9.99/mo |
Syncs the contents of a single folder, not arbitrary
folders. Nice overview video.
|
|
| P | GoodSync www.goodsync.com |
$29.95 Free trial Free restricted version for home |
www.goodsync.com/freevpro.html Free version limited to 100 files per job, 3 jobs, home use only |
www.goodsync.com/features.html
|
| S | Windows Live Sync http://explore.live.com/windows-live-mesh |
5GB free | Requires Windows Live ID | According to Microsoft: For PC and Mac "By syncing folders on the 5 GB of free synced storage space you get with SkyDrive, you can work with up-to-date copies of files on the web from any computer." |
| S | Windows Live Mesh www.mesh.com |
5 GB free | "Live Desktop" (or "Live Mesh Remote Desktop" allows you to access computers remotely thru a web browser, similar to LogMeIn.com | |
| S | OpenDrive www.opendrive.com |
5 GB free | Seems immature: needs better documentation with more information. | |
| S | SugarSync www.sugarsync.com/ |
2 GB free 30 GB @ $4.99/mo |
Up to 2 computers free, more requires paid account. |
|
| S | Syncplicity | 2 GB free 50 GB @ $15/mo |
5 computers with $15/mo plan | Business edition also available. See syncplicity.com/products/ for a comparison of products. |
Abbreviations:
- /mo = per month
- Win = Microsoft Windows
- Mac = Apple Macintosh
- VSS = Volume Shadow Copy Service, Microsoft's way of allowing a file to be backed up even if it's in use by another program.
Notes:
- 1 GB is 1000 MB, which is approximately 40% more data than fits on a CD-R
- Most allow files to be uploaded and downloaded via a web browser such as Firefox or Internet Explorer on Win, Mac, or Linux.
- Incremental = backs up only those files which have changed
- Near-continuous = files are backed up frequently and automatically
- Open files = can back up files that are in use, for example your mail files while your e-mail program is running
