Experience with Carbonite? Other choices.

I use the Free open-source Truecrypt. Relatively easy to setup. And have multiple encrypted containers including one for Dropbox files, which in itself is within another encrypted container for local protection. All of which mount with one Truecrypt key at Windows login. My advice would be to name your containers appropriately, so they can be easily identified as they act as normal storage drives when mounted.

My Dropbox Truecrypt container files are available on all my Windows, Mac, and Android devices.

1492
Washington, DC , Can you recommend a program to manage and create encrypted containers for ease of use for a beginner? There are a lot to choose from, wondered what you like, thanks.

One feature I really like about CloudBerry Backup is this:

Multiple Cloud Storage Support for Desktop Backup
Choose one of the supported public cloud storage services for desktop backup, including: Amazon S3, Amazon Glacier, Windows Azure, Rackspace, OpenStack, Google Storage, HP Cloud, DreamObjects, Clodo, Scality, Dunkel, Host Europe, GreenQloud, Seeweb, Connectria, Walrus and Mezeo.

The cloud backup service provider is independent from the cloud storage provider. I see that as a good thing. I use Amazon S3 which is incredibly cheap.

Plus, CB also does local backup to your external drive.

monkey44 wrote:
What did we do with it before 'online storage' ... why is that suddenly 'unsafe' ... and in fact, how much of what we save online is really necessary in life. So, it's more about a waste of money than paranoid.

Paper was the technology of our parents. Photos went into paper albums, and that was it. I'm sure very few people made backup copies. It wasn't practical, it was expensive and time-consuming. As for the unsafe part, paper photographs didn't crash or self-destruct.

Big difference from now, with digital cameras. People can easily take thousands of photos, keep every single one and never look at any of them. It's a hoarders' paradise. I have to agree with you on that point!

monkey44 wrote:

Lantley wrote:
You must trust someone. Unless you keep your money under a mattress we all have our data and info on someones server or cloud.
The idea is to store the data somewhere other than your home or office

And tell me, for real. How many of us have had both an home and work burn down the same day, and lost all data in both 'saved storage' ...

Even, how many have actually had a RV burn and lost all your data, AND your home, and your shop, and your work - or whatever. It's beyond my brain to imagine that happening all at once same day to a person, and if it does, you are the most unlucky person in the USA.

All these "online storage bins' just want the entire country to get so paranoid about "Data" that everyone will pay that monthly fee. AND, who's to say that server is safer than my safe? It's fireproof.
too.

AND, how many of us copied all our personal papers earlier in life - before online data storage existed - and saved it at work, in our truck, on our office, and wherever - six back-ups? Can't imagine it then, can't imagine it now. Two data SSD back-ups will be safer than any other time in our existence. The really, really important stuff that can't be 'replaced' should be in the bank safe-deposit box. Otherwise, all this cloud virtual storage is just as likely to take a dive as any other storage spot.

Wonder what you all did before data storage emerged? I mean with your papers? And please do not take this as a 'personal attack' ... because I'm truly serious ... what did everyone do before this? I know my papers were all at home, my home never burned down, and my valuable personal stuff was in SD box my bank (Still is)...

Tragic events happen ... but the idea that virtual storage is safe? Not any safer than any other options available to everyone. And I'd for sure never, ever put my personal stuff up on some "cloud" that any employee (or tech miner) can get, copy, whatever ... Just seems very odd to me... Like the new "Word" and "Photo" programs now that you can't buy and own, you only RENT, and pay an annual fee forever to 'access' that program.

Technology developers want a piece of each earning life, forever. And then a piece of our retirement life too. :) :)

Did we back up data before? Of course not.
The technology simply was not available. Making paper copies is not the same as backing up thousands of photos and files.
Years ago individuals did not generate and posses the amount of data we do today.
Should I give up my cell phone because my father did not have one?

We understand cloud back up is not foolproof, nevertheless it can still be beneficial.
As others have mentioned a combination of local on site storage and off site storage via a cloud based storage of some sort are our most foolproof methods to date.

I got online backup a few years ago, and most computer geeks I talked to at the time preferred Mozy over Carbonite. I think Carbonite is #1 online storage and Mozy is #2? Something like that.

We now have 4 computers using the back up service, two desktops and two laptops. The desktops basically run all the time, so they automatically backup every night. The laptops I have to keep an eye on, as when they go so "sleep" they don't do the automatic backup at night. If they haven't been backed up in 7 days, a little notice pops up in the lower corner of the screen reminding you.

We've had to use the online backup a couple times - once due to hard drive failure, and once when replacing a computer. Worked just as advertised.

Three big things to remember about online backup;

1. Initial backup. When you first get an online service, the first, initial backup could take literally weeks to complete, depending on your "upload" capability of your internet service. Once this first backup is done, future backups go very quick (usually under an hour), as the service scans your computer and only backs up things that have changed.

2. Check and double check what is being backed up! I found that sometimes, for whatever reason, the online backup wasn't saving certain files, and/or new files that had been added later. I just go through the settings every so often and make sure all files are checked off that I want saved.

3. The online backup services DON'T save programs! At least mine doesn't, with how I have it setup. They only save DATA (which includes most files and pictures). For example, when I got a new hard drive for my desktop, I had to dig out my QuickBooks program and load it again... I had thought that the online back up would have saved it, but it doesn't save commercial programs (I assume it is a copyright / trademark thing). Once I loaded up Quickbooks, it quickly and effortlessly found and loaded the Quickbook data files that the Mozy program had saved and I had downloaded onto the new hard drive, and everything was up to date and worked fine.

I am very happy with the online backup.

I used to try to backup information on CDs regularly, but realized that routinely months would go by between backups. I still save on discs irregularly, but I don't worry about it so much now.

I go along with having a combo of local and cloud backups. I wouldn't rely on either as a sole archive backup.

Most cloud storage providers encrypt customer data on their servers. But, they also tend to hold the key for legal reasons. So if ordered to do so by court order, can decrypt your stored data.

Just encrypt your data locally first, such as using a encrypted container. Then backup the container to both local and cloud drives. Neither can be decrypted, in theory, without your key.

This is basically what I do. I encrypt both My Documents and My Photos on my Windows machines, including My Dropbox, email client and browser data. These are then auto backed up twice daily to a secondary encrypted drive. Important files can be auto backed up when any changes are detected. Of course, I also have full system image backups which are done less frequently but also encrypted.

I also tend not to encrypt the entire drive on my notebooks if they are still under warranty. That way, if the notebook ever requires service, a factory tech can have access to the OS and hardware, but does not have access to any of My Documents or My Photos which require a separate key to decrypt. You should always assume a repair tech is going to look at your personal and confidential info. So you really should consider encrypting these.

I've also made a one-click shortcut to log off my account, which also dismounts the encrypted containers, if I need to step away from my computers. So no one has access to my secured files even if they manage to crack my Windows account password.

Everything can be done with free, open source software.

There is one thing for sure. We all have our own ideas on how to do all things in life and nothing said here will likely change any of us.

I have always felt that data backup needs to be stored off site from the computer that is being backed up. If you add data daily then you should at least backup daily and never on the same drive as the day before. What would happen if the backup failed and corrupted the only backup copy you had which you were updating. I agree that you can take backups too far, but for me online backups with a well respected company is the way to go. It is automatic (yes I know you can set a backup drive to be automatic too, but you still have it on site) and it isn't in the same location as my computer.

I have had two laptop failures in the past 24 months (operator error - cup of coffee on the keyboard) and online restore was a piece of cake.

Works for me and may not work for others. As long as I'm happy to each his own.

2oldman Quote: "Paranoia is in the mind of the paranoiac. Yours appears to be about online services, while chastising others for being paranoid about buildings burning."

Well, if you read what I wrote, am not paranoid about it nor chastising, just making a comment. I see no sense nor safety in it. And, my case was really -- why do we need it now, we haven't needed it for hundreds of years, until it suddenly becomes available, and the PR hype is 'danger, don't lose your stuff. Pay me to save it'. But as you gave example, it still ain't safe.

SO, my question remains unanswered: What did we do with it before 'online storage' ... why is that suddenly 'unsafe' ... and in fact, how much of what we save online is really necessary in life. So, it's more about a waste of money than paranoid.

I still have my original birth certificate, and it's pretty dang old. :)

Like you said, folks keep stuff that is worthless and easily replaceable, and spend money doing it. I'd rather spend it on gas and campsites. :)

2oldman wrote:

monkey44 wrote:
Even, how many have actually had a RV burn and lost all your data, AND your home, and your shop, and your work - or whatever. It's beyond my brain to imagine that happening all at once same day to a person, and if it does, you are the most unlucky person in the USA.

All these "online storage bins' just want the entire country to get so paranoid about "Data" that everyone will pay that monthly fee. AND, who's to say that server is safer than my safe? It's fireproof.
too.
Tragic events happen ... but the idea that virtual storage is safe? Not any safer than any other options available to everyone. And I'd for sure never, ever put my personal stuff up on some "cloud" that any employee (or tech miner) can get, copy, whatever ... Just seems very odd to me...

Paranoia is in the mind of the paranoiac. Yours appears to be about online services, while chastising others for being paranoid about buildings burning. You also act as if it's quite probable your data WILL be hacked. To me that's paranoia, to you, prudence.

Like the man said, why don't you keep your money at home? Of course, the answer is, you drew the line, somewhere. At some point you MUST trust something. You trust a hard drive in your house, I and many others trust online backups, but not necessarily as the only source.

What seems odd to me is the stuff people keep in storage, like bank statements, bill, receipts..stuff I'd toss almost immediately. And some have Terabytes of it! To me that's hoarding, to them, it's comfort. So be it.

Risk tolerance is quite different for each and every one of us.

There is MORE to things than worrying about data being hacked..

Folks who SOLELY "depend" on "online" storage as a means to safeguard or keep a backup ARE being foolish.

I HAVE discovered over the years, just because it is sitting on a online server somewhere out in the world YOUR BACKED UP DATA CAN DISAPPEAR with no notice, no trace..

I myself have had the pleasure of paying for online storage and eventually they lost my files or in one case the WEBSITE AND COMPANY CEASED TO EXIST OVER NIGHT. Gone without a trace, email didn't work, phone number quit working and website gone (and my files)..

Use caution and setup your OWN backup to the backup rescue plan.. You can get 1 TB Hard drives in the laptop size, fits in your pocket and costs less than $80..

Fortunately for me, my files were not sole backups...