Regular backups of our most important files are really important! Most of us have experienced a hard drive failure, virus attack or other problem that affected or even wiped out our important documents, music files, videos and photos. Years of work can disappear in a matter of minutes and, sometimes, we’ll never get it back again.
Backup options include backing up to an external hard drive, mirroring to second hard drive within the same computer, coping files to CD or DVD or thumb drive but these options might be a problem especially when computing wirelessly [in front of the TV] or, with the case of a laptop, using it for work and home use.
I decided to try Carbonite and Mozy, two online backup services. Unfortunately, even though they were reasonably priced, the backup process was slow and sometimes affected my computer’s performance.
Fortunately I decided to try IDrive a nifty, fast, online backup tool that provides an option, during the installation process, to use a personal secure encryption key.
256 encryption keys can be generated here: Yellow Pipe
Below is a copy of the backup screen.
To backup specific folders or files check the box on the left hand side of each object. The first backup will include all chosen files and/or folders and subsequent backups will include only files and folders that have been changed [which makes the process faster].
To restore files click on the Restore tab [see above]. IDrive will fetch the list from your IDrive account and provide the option to choose what files or folders are to be restored. Files are restored to their original location.
The IDrive backup Scheduler offers several backup options. I chose to backup my files at a specific time each day and to receive daily email notifications that include the backup results. Backups run in the background quietly without draining system resources.
IDrive offers 2GB of free online storage and 150GB of online storage for $4.95 per month or $49.50 per year. A demonstration and more information can be found on their home page: http://idrive.com.
I have been using Crash Plan, which is an online backup, for about 2 years now. I find it very easy to use. The charge is $5 a month for up to 50GB of storage and $1 a GB after that. It has never slowed down my computer, and you can actually set the amount of cpu and bandwith it uses while you are using the computer. It automatically backsup new files about every hour. This feature has saved me a couple of times.
Hi Nadya, thanks for your comment and what’s the link?
I also believe online backup is most secure and reliable way to store my data. I am wondering if you would be interested in reviewing a new CloudBerry Online Backup powered by Amazon S3 with friendly user interface, strong data encryption and scheduling capabilities.
IDrive is a good backup system. If people have an external hard drive or a large capacity USB drive they should check out IDrive Portable. While IDrive sells a version with a drive and the software, the IDrive Portable software is free and will work with most external hard drives and USB drives. Great for those people that want to just do local backups and have more than 2GB. It can also manage the online backup as well. Just something to consider.
Hi John, really appreciate the information, thanks!
I also shopped around, found ElephantDrive (same prices, unlimited storage) and went to work for the company. Letting you know that I’m not spamming here – just offering another alternative with a great company that’s been around a long time. E’Drive’s interface is awesome also – so shop around! Try ‘em at http://www.elephantdrive.com/ray – they’re huge, Elephants never forget, and the (also) work for peanuts. 15 day free trial.
Another consideration would be a “flash” or “thumb” drive. They sell for around $10 to $20 depending on their storage capacity. They hold a lot of information and can be tossed into your safety deposit box. Some folks put their medical and other identification on them and wear them around their neck in the event of an emergency. Much more convenient then online storage.
JimmyD – I disagree. How can remembering to get the thumb drive out of a firesafe box, backing up your data, and storing the drive away again, every night, be easier than online storage? With IDrive, you install it once, configure it once, and you’re done.
$4.95 per month adds up to more than the cost of a flash drive over time, but your data on IDrive will be updated automatically in a perfectly safe environment, out of your house, and available from another location.
Online backups are much more convenient than a flash drive.