Posts Tagged ‘computer backup’

Online Encryption: Are They Really Secured?

Posted on: March 1st, 2012 by admin 1 Comment

Online Backup Encryption: Are Your Files Secured?

Many individuals fear that if they back their system files up through various online backup systems, then their data might get lost, hacked, peeked at, or stolen. This fear is especially true for businesses and other corporations who do not wish to let their competitors know their server files for confidentiality’s sake. However, is there even any reason to fear? Are online backup systems really secured? Read on as we uncover the security levels of these companies and from that, you can evaluate for yourself whether online backup systems are really secured or not.

Primary Security Level: Banking

Your company uses a minimum security level of 128-bit SSL encryption. This Secure Security Layer is being implemented by backup companies as a primary level of their security system. This security system is just the same with what backs use for your transactions. So, if you know for sure that banks do a great job in security, and then you might as well say that online backup companies are even better since the maximum security protection of banks is just the minimum security level of online backup companies.

Client Vis-à-vis Server Recognition Program

Online backup companies also provide a 3rd party program that secures your connection on them while you are backing up your files. This program “marks” your computer and the server in the sense that the server and your computer are the only ones that will recognize themselves. Think of it as two persons trying to meet in person and they decide to wear something that is unique in order for them to recognize themselves and not mistake the one for another person. This is how these 3rd party programs work. No other computer can then interfere or peek at the data exchange because of this. You are then sure that your data are secured at the very least.

Advanced Encryption

Data encryption does not start there. If that is not enough, online backup systems put up a tough fight for hackers as they even implement Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and 448-Blowfish encryption systems in their servers. These are very hard to crack and are even used by military operations. Hackers cannot easily hack server files if the data encryption is as of these levels. Think of it as an encryption within an encryption that the odds of ever being lucky to crack it are 1/1000.

Backing Up What They Had Backed Up

But emergencies might happen. This is where the backup systems of online backup companies appear. They provide backup to their server files so that if ever their server gets haywire, your files are still secured and stored in other backup centers under the same company.

Conclusion

Nothing in this world is ever perfect. The system is only as strong as the strongest and most skilled developer and hacker. If a very persistent and extremely brilliant hacker decides to hack your files through these companies, it would take him too long that he can be caught while doing it. Therefore, you can really be sure that your data are very much protected on online backup systems.

 

Online Backup System: How Do You Choose Your Company?

Posted on: February 25th, 2012 by admin 1 Comment

Last time, we talked about the different data plans of backup systems available online. Now that you have a general idea on which data plan to take, the next step is to decide the right company where you can avail your online backup system. That is then the purpose of this article- to guide you in the process of choosing an online backup company. This topic is quite lengthy but I’ll make sure to keep it concise and newbie-friendly as much as possible.

Online backup of one’s computer files is not a new thing for many computer techies or businessmen. Although this might sound necessary at first but online backup is very crucial in one’s business and career. Backing your system for possible corruption of data or attacks from web hacker is a common thing in the field of business, education or internet marketing. However, it isn’t just enough to know how much data you should backup or which data you will be backing up. You should also follow some steps and standards in choosing the right company where you can obtain your backup system.

COST

This is the very first factor that you should look into. If you are a student or a regular employee, it is highly recommended that you avail of services that are very affordable. No other standards asked- a more affordable plan is better for students and regular employees who do not use online backup that much (lower than 20GB of data used regularly). But it never hurts to purchase a more expensive plan, albeit the functionality that you want to achieve is just the same. However, if you are into business, job classified data, server files and other data-heavy activities which can be highly classified and crucial, a more expensive company would be better. Although the high cost might not entail good service, an expensive plan in a well known and top-downloaded backup company can mean some good service. But don’t base your choice through this standard alone. Read other standards below before you finally choose the company you want to avail your services into.

FREE TRIAL VS PREMIUM

If you are not a heavy data user, a free trial will do for trial purposes only. Look at the service and see if it’s worth a premium or not. If you are handling a company, a premium account is very much recommended. Don’t avail a free trial service obviously if you use a lot of data.

SCHEDULED VS AUTOMATIC BACKUP

Some prefer those companies where you can set a scheduled backup. This gives the user more space to think during which hours the backup will be initiated. However, the only disadvantage of this is that you must really be online so that the company can back your system up, else you might lose some data.

Different companies on the other hand prefer automatic and continuous backup in order to have an up-to-date data backup. This can be more convenient for those companies who need their data backed up from time to time. This can be costly though and it can slow down your system performance from time to time. However, if your server and company computers are fast, then you wouldn’t have any problems with this service.

COMPRESSION AND ENCRYPTION

Choose a company that allows your files to be compressed. Some companies don’t allow this since their revenues might become lower if they allow users to compress their files into smaller data packets. However, choose a company that allows compression of data in order to lessen data traffic and bandwidth.  On the other hand choose a company that encrypts all of your data at its highest form. The encryption of data should be higher than 256 bits so that you can be sure that you are safe from online piracy, spying, hacking and stealing.

CHECK THE COMPANY SERVICES

Given those kinds of standards, got to websites that review company products and services and try to compare and contrast one company from the other. Try to evaluate which services you want and which you don’t want. After that, you can now choose which company you would be subscribing to in online backup.