Backup Method #2- Online

For this post, we will be returning back to our earlier discussion of backup methods. Remember the real key is not how you back up, but that you are backing up consistently and in a way that works for you.

Another popular and good backup method is online backup. Many online services exist, such as IBackup, Mozy and others. They offer you the ability to setup an automatic backup to a remote location connected to the Internet. Of course, the biggest advantage to this method is that your backups are stored safely off-site, generally at special data centers.

However, online backup is not appropriate for large amounts of data (like music or pictures) because of the time it takes to transfer information across the Internet. Some who are overly security-conscious may also be a little hesistant to trust their data to a center "out there." But, these centers are generally very safe- I trust them to store my information and think you would be safe doing likewise.

When choosing an online backup service, you want one that charges you by the amount of storage space, not the upload volume. This would end up penalizing you for frequent backups, which doesn't make much sense. You also want a service that transfers your data over a secure connection for privacy and security reasons. Most good services meet both of these requirements.

Questions? Contact us with any questions, feedback, or for recommendations of online backup services.