Is there an online backup service that works well and doesn't support RW media buffoons?

[Jim Lane]

In lieu of my current system (intermittent and nonsytematic backup of data to a variety of physical resources, which then get corrupted or which I misplace), I've been told that I should routinely back up all my files online. My recollection, though, is that some of these services (maybe Carbonite?) are big advertisers on Beckkk or Limbaugh or the like.

Can anyone recommend a service that's simple to use, reliable, relatively inexpensive (or even free), and not channeling funds to keep hate speech on the air?

[Sherman A1]

1. I would get a couple of external hard drives

they are reasonably cheap and if one fails the other one can serve as a backup until you have a replacement.

I try to operate in 3's

The computer hard drive and 2 external backup drives for files.

[yawnmaster]

4. off-site storage is important, not only for backup failures but for site catastrophes. eom

[WingDinger]

8. Put one at a neighbors.

[yawnmaster]

15. next door neighbor might be a bit close. A friend or relative a distance away would work...

If one has a storage unit off-site one can store back-up/archive drives there (a bit more work).
how much effort/worry depends on how irreplaceable or how valuable the data.

[krawhitham]

11. Backup to your own ext HD at a different location

never trust an online backup company, I've done server support for such places and they go through everything

[yawnmaster]

14. what do you mean they "go through" everything? eom

[Jim Lane]

16. This is disturbing. Would you elaborate?

I'm not sure if you're talking about voyeurs just looking through other people's files for their own amusement, or if it's worse. Might someone try to blackmail me?

I have a photo of a former girlfriend posing seductively in lingerie. Based on what you say I guess I should take pains NOT to back that up online, lest it end up being passed on to someone else.

[krawhitham]

19. The in house tech support guys

were combing though all files on the server, when I asked them what they were doing they said looking for child porn. But they were looking at all files not just images & movies

[LisaM]

2. Carbonite advertises on Stepanie Miller and Ed Schultz

I don't know where else they do, though.

[wtbymark]

3. put Stephanie in the promo box n/t

[Old and In the Way]

5. How much do you need (in GB's) to back-up?

Dropbox gives you a pretty easy drag and drop solution. I think 2 GB are free and you can buy more. Google gives you 7 GB and they have a small software utility call GMail Drive that puts an icon in your 'My Computer' directory that allows for drag and drop as well.

[Jim Lane]

7. I'm well under 2GB, so that might work. Two questions:

1. Unlike some people, I don't want drag-and-drop (or at least it's not a priority). I want to push a button every Friday that will back up all my files. Is that doable?

2. I see from that it enables file sharing. Is my stuff completely secure nevertheless?

[krawhitham]

12. just 2GB, back it up to a usb stick and wear it around your neck

[Sherman A1]

26. Agreed

If your requirements are 2GB then a usb stick (or several of them make sense).

1). at home

2). on at your office

3). in another secure location

and perform rotating backups.

[Old and In the Way]

18. I don't think auto-back-up is built into their software.

I use it to move files between my home laptop and home office computer. I also use it to share files with anyone I want to. It can be set up to do this pretty easily by adding these files to a separate folder and generate a link to that folder for easy downloading. So access to other folders is secure. I use a free back-up utility called f-backup, but I store the backup on 2 different external hard drives. Not sure if it's possible to do this.

I think you'd be better to back-up to a USB memory stick if your files < 2 megabytes. Then you can keep it locked up in your car when not in use.

On edit: I can back-up files to the Gmail drive and the Dropbox folder, so it is doable.

[Nye Bevan]

6. I've been very happy with Mozy Pro for the last 2 or 3 years.

No idea what their politics are, though.

[enlightenment]

9. Not sure it would work for your needs, but

I have found ADrive.com reliable . . .

http://www.adrive.com/

[brooklynite]

10. Are you using a mac or PC?

The story goes that MobileMe will shortly be replaced by a free service that will include some measure of data storage:

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/apple-plans-major-mobileme-revamp-for-april-launch-prior-version-to-be-phas/

[Jim Lane]

17. I'm on a PC. From your link I gather this applies only to Mac users. (n/t)

[alfredo]

20. I hope I can keep my websites as is. I have about ten sites

on Mobile me.

[dionysus]

13. carbonite advertises on randi's show too, fwiw. i'd suggest spending a few hundred bucks on an

external hard drive and just use tha. however, it would help you if say your house burns down.

[alfredo]

21. I have a small hitachi usb drive that I use for image backup.

It's a bit larger than an iPhone.

[dionysus]

22. yeah, they're all super tiny nowadays. i back up my vmware to a usb drive all the time at work.

[alfredo]

25. I have one to do my hard drive back up, and the small one

for photos.

[Jim Lane]

23. I appreciate all the responses from DUers with experience and/or tech knowledge.

I'll be investigating the different options that people have mentioned. Thanks!

[MadHound]

24. Why use online backup?

After all, if you transmit your data to a remote site, that data can be much more easily accessed by others. Personally, I think it is a foolish move.

Instead, you can set up a simple backup to an external hard drive, complete with software that will do periodic updates to your back up without you having to do a thing.

Yes, there is the issue of a complete onsite catastrophe wiping out both your computer and your backup, but that chance is quite low, probably lower than the chance that somebody will hack into your data at an off site backup site.

But as far as I know, Carbonite, Back Up my PC, and others all advertise on Rush and other such shows, in addition to Randi, etc.

Consider what do the big boys do? They don't turn to online backup, rather they set up a RAID system on site, or if they're really paranoid, in a building next door:shrug:

[Nye Bevan]

27. If my house burns down I don't want to lose all my pictures, digital video, finance files etc.

which would probably happen if my only backup was on an external drive in my house. I consider online backup to be absolutely essential. All of the reputable companies use encryption and I am not concerned about hacking.