Cloud storage, the next big thing in data backup and recovery. It’s probably happened to most of us at one time or another. You’re working away whistling while you work and then it happens! Poof, your computer or operating system has a total failure.
If your hard drive fails on you, then you’re left out in the cold with nothing but your underpants. There’s no worse feeling than having a hard drive or backup drive fail on you. The point when you suddenly realize everything you’ve worked to compile such as your favorite programs, videos, treasured family photos, gigs upon gigs of your favorite music, all of it gone with tha wind!
I take great pride in my collection of goodies and it’s compiled of over 20 years worth of files. To lose it all would be heart breaking. So how do you ensure that your beloved collection will forever be immortalized? Backup, backup, backup.
Traditional Backup Methods
There are a number of traditional hard drive backup methods that you can use to preserve and store your files and data. I personally use a Western Digital Passport backup drive and it works great. I can choose the exact files and or folders that I want to keep backed up, which is a great option. Not only that, but it has sync capabilities so that any file I use or update can be synced with the drive to ensure I always have a backup of the latest version of the files.
I also have a separate internal hard drive that works great for storage and quick retrieval of my documents. This is great because if my main operating system drive fails on me, then I still have access to all my personal files and documents. Not to mention they are still backed up on the external drive.
But so far all we’ve discussed are hardware options for backup and storage. All of these devices have the probability of failure. And the question is not if, but when will they fail. So that bring me to my next point, Cloud Storage.
Modern Methods using Cloud Storage
Now we’re getting to the nitty gritty. Personal Cloud storage is the newest technology for your system backup and storage. Cloud storage is essentially an online storage facility for housing any digital media that you want to preserve.
When you create a cloud storage account with a provider like Super Geek Cloud Backup & Storage, then you’ve just created the safest alternative to safe keeping all your favorite goodies.
How Does Cloud Storage Work
So you’re probably wondering, “how does cloud storage work”. A cloud storage service provider like Super Geek is basically a data warehouse. All you have to do is sign up for their services and create your account. With this account you will be given a special section on their system hard drives where you can store your backups and any data you would like to keep safe. And don’t worry, your data won’t be secluded on one single drive. They will keep multiple copies of your data to ensure it can always be recovered, all the while remaining in sync with your local copies.
There are options that will allow you to backup as many as 5 computers and you can even sync to the cloud storage just like you would an external drive. But the best part of cloud storage is that your information is stored independently from your home or office computer. So if your hard drive or storage drives fail on you, your data will still be nestled nice and warm on the cloud storage servers.
One of the great perks of using a cloud storage method is that you can access all of your data from any computer or device that has an internet connection. Your files will be 100% safe and secure using high end encryption methods. As long as you keep your passwords to yourself, then your data is as good as being in the bank.
Not only are your files 100% safe and secure, but they also have mobile apps that will enable you to play your music and movies direct from the cloud or you can easily share your files with family and friends. So think about this, if you have a large file or video you want to send to a friend, then there’s no need to send that huge email. Just share it with them through your cloud. 🙂
So I know this is a little off key from my normal, or should I say abnormal posts, but I thought this was some good information you should all know about backup and storage options. If you didn’t already that is. So don’t be running scared just waiting for the moment when your hardware is going to fail on you. Get yourself a cloud storage provider and never worry about lost data again!
Hello sir i read your article it is a good post but i want to know
what is cloud storage may you explain it please.
Like stated in the article, cloud storage is a offsite storage facility that you can use to backup and sync your data to.
It’s like having a backup drive at another location that you can access from anywhere provided there is an internet connection. Check out the section of the article again that says How Does Cloud Storage Work 🙂
Cloud storage is when things are not stored on your own computer but you download them from the “cloud” aka super computers.
Indeed Jay. I’m not sure how comfortable I would be placing hugely sensitive documents on a cloud server, but I would hope security would be of utmost importance.
Hi Robert)) Thanks. It was useful to know this info. As always up to date!
Thanks Evan! Cloud storage is an awesome thing. Especially on portable devices like the Kindle Fire and iPad. With devices that have minimal storage capacity, the cloud storage makes having all your goodies available a breeze. 🙂
Robert, I am the owner of a law firm with bankruptcy and other personal files that I owe the client the utmost duty of privacy. In your opinion would a cloud storage based system compromise that privacy? How secure are the cloud based storage systems out there?
Thanks,
Chris Wesner Law Office, LLC
Hi Chris and thanks for the comment. That actually a very good question.
Any cloud storage provider is bound to privacy of your files and most companies have extreme encryption methods in place so your information can not be compromised over the data “air waves”. As far as the company themselves prying eyes on your data, it is quite unethical and I would doubt any of them would take the time to go digging through everyone’s files.
As far as security, the best way to avoid any compromises of your online accounts is to ensure you use a strong bit encrypted password. A combination of numbers, letters and symbols. I would recommend at least using 12 characters in your passwords. Most of my passwords are even too difficult for me to remember. So I use a password manager that is installed into my browser.
Again, these are just my opinions on the subject.
I am a student of cloud computing. Its scope till now was very limited but now the need for extra cost effective storage has given way to cloud storage.The most amazing thing is that you don’t need to spend too much on hardware costs, everything is stored at some other place.
Absolutely, that’s something I failed to mention. You can save a great deal of money by not having to purchase additional hardware. Cloud storage let’s you take advantage of someone else’s hardware. 😉
Thanks for bringing that up Sunny.
In the near future you won’t need any software applications in your computer because everything will be stored in the Cloud, in fact you won’t need to worry about your operating system (Microsoft or Apple related). Check out Google OS in YouTube. Regards.
It really is quite exciting. Storage and safekeeping your data is actually more of an expense than most people think. Spending money on physical hard drives and backup drives, discs etc. will be a thing of the past. When you factor in replacement costs as well for such media, then paying a small monthly fee for a cloud is really a wise decision.
I’m going to check out the Google OS right now, thanks for the heads up 🙂
Wow really a great article. Cloud hosting is the great thing coming in near future. Big Websites which are loading slow will be get high speed with cloud hosting. Thanks for nice article.
This is true Kiran. I already know a few fellow web publishers that have changed their web servers over to a cloud. Seemingly it has been a flawless transition thus far.
Yep, cloud storage is so popular now! Big business in itself, though low cost to the consumers.
Avoids carry bulky additional storage device around or a bulky device itself. Just access stored content from any machine, anywhere!… super cool!
Yah Rummy, very cool indeed. I saw in the sale paper a google notebook that used some sort of cloud storage instead of a bulky hard drive. It had a small SDD drive, but no HD for storage, was all stored on a cloud. That device was super thin and very light weight. Only 3/4″ thick 😀
This is definitely a great example of cloud storage…
Your discussed nice post…thanks.
You’re welcome, thanks for visiting.
Seems pretty cool. Technology always keeps me excited being in the DJ business.
I bet you use a lot of digital storage in your line of work. In the past DJs had to lug around all those records, then it was tapes, then CDs, now y’all can carry thousands of hours of music on something small enough to put in your shirt pocket. But with cloud storage this can all be done without utilizing any hardware at all. Such a great concept!
I use the cloud a lot to share files, and keep storage of all the web design backups. My wife and I use it to share our bills spreadsheet- we can mark them paid as strikethrough. You can get plenty of storage for free, and tons for cheap.
That’s a great idea on the bill paying. It’s becoming more and more common as the days go on.