Why Would You Trust Online Data Backup

I recently have read a blog about data backup http://blogs.oreilly.com/lightroom/2008/01/the-economics-of-online-backup.html and found it very useful and there have been ongoing comments on this topic. I had made a comment yesterday:

Kumar said:

I agree wholeheartedly in the importance of chooses a data backup that is a good fit for the individual, I myself use the KiboTec backup software from the company I work for as it was much more cost effective that the other backup software that I found online as there is a pay once option or monthly option and it didn't cost me $1000's per year which I must say I don't mind not having to pay annual fees now for my backups. But when it comes down to it the individual must choose a software that they find easy to use and that will accommodate their backup needs.

July 15, 2010 7:40 AM

http://blogs.oreilly.com/lightroom/2008/01/the-economics-of-online-backup.html

and went to see if there were any new comments today, and one comment in response to my post:

Liz Stamos said:

I don't think backups should be done online. Its safe in some way but still unsafe due to the fact that you can get your account hacked, or people working at the backup facility can steal your data. Why would you trust your data with someone else? Personally I run an iphone case store both online and offline so I keep but my data with me and I take it up on an encrypted hard drive.

I just don't trust my data even being left at the office.

July 15, 2010 10:08 PM

http://blogs.oreilly.com/lightroom/2008/01/the-economics-of-online-backup.html

Now I posted a reply to the reply on my comment but after wards, it occurred to me that this was a good topic for a New Post, "Why would you trust your data with someone else?".

This I thought was a very valid question. I myself when making my decision checked into the security of the data backup as well as if and when the encryption settings for the software were updated and how often. With the company I work for the encryption software is updated as soon as there is an updated version. They also have security features put in place to strengthen the security.

The next statement was that "you can get your account hacked", well I have worked with computers for a number of years and I have had the not so pleasant experience of having my computer hacked and it resulted in me losing all my data.

The fact is you can just as easily get hacked using at home methods of backing up your information as you can taking the extra risk using an online backup software. Even if you are hacked using your home method's of backup, portable hard drive for instance, your information on your PHD very well is secure to an extent as it is not stored on your physical computer but the information on your physical computer you backed up has been compromised by the hacker.

If a consumer is thinking of online data backup, there are benefits to choosing that route. If you are using home methods of databackup and you have a fire for example that is consuming your house, and your backup (lets say its a flash drive) flash drive is in your house or maybe its in your purse or briefcase, etc.. When you think about if you are in the building the last thing you would think of taking with you is your briefcase or purse and if its lying somewhere in the house you sure are not going to go run and get it. Your thoughts in that type of high anxiety situation would be to get yourself and your loved ones out safely till the Fire department arrives to extinguish the situation. Chances are in that situation you have not only lost the information stored on your backup but you have also lost the information on your computer.


The nice thing is with online data backup, yes you can still be using a flash or portable hardrive if you wanted, but no matter what possible disaster befalls your physical compputer and home method's of backing up, your data is still safe and accessible to you.

So as I had said in my reply a consumer who is looking into various types of backup and are considering using online data backups should research the products they are looking for, research the price points they are looking for as well as utilize the support service that these companies have and ask as many questions as you need in order to make a decision that is right for you and will secure your data.