I know that there is probably not "real true" answer to this question. While trying to find a place to store for FREE files on the cloud I was surprise at the number of companies that offer free cloud storage. Windows 10 and MS Office are designed (?) to store most (?) of your information on the cloud. Have you noticed the advertisement that MS is running that says how fast they can now decode the human DNA because all the information is on the cloud. I know that hard drives are getting cheap, but a cloud storage facility has got to cost $$$$$$.What is the catch? . . :h . . What is their business plan to make money? Is the data safe or are they mining the data for information to sell to advertisers? . . , :h

most of the freebie cloud storage is very small. the hope is that you will purchase additional storage space.

Maybe they write it of as advertising expenses?And yes, usually you can upgrade to larger storage, for a price.

Most all the "Free Cloud Storage" Sites have one of 3 hidden or not so hidden features.1: Corporate sponsorship. Because you bought a Byte Burner 2000 you get 1 Gig of FREE CLOUD STORAGE.. Why? Byte burner computers pays for it. 2: "Upgrade now for only 14.95/month. 3: On The following date we will be discontinuing our free service, Pay up or kiss your files goodby. (That happened with my Byte Burner (not a real computer company name of course) by the way.. Thankfully I had not actually used that account so all that went away was an ICON on the start menu.

rk911 wrote:most of the freebie cloud storage is very small. the hope is that you will purchase additional storage space.And that you will read and respond to the marketing ads that will eventually come along with your freebie.Or that at some point in time it will cease to be free anymore.

By selling your personal information.

How do companies that offer FREE cloud storage make money???

rk911
Explorer
Feb 08, 2016
rwbradley wrote:
AsheGuy wrote:
rk911 wrote:
yup. no one can or will ensure the safety and security of my data as well as me.

I seriously doubt that statement, but if it gives you peace of mind go for it.

When you consider all that can happen to your data (hardware failure, forgetfulness, fire, flood, storms, theft, etc., etc.) and with cloud storage companies whose reputation depends on their secure data, I would bet on cloud storage every day. For a company like Google (now the most valuable company in the world), you can bet they are focused on their cloud's reliability. Other major companies like MS and Apple also have a lot to lose.

And similar motivations give incentive to companies not to mess with your data.

I use cloud storage for my documents and photos and sleep very well at night. And it is NOT expensive.

Two WD Passport drives for < $100 each will give you the peace of mind and similar security without using the cloud. Keep two backup copies with one offsite. However this method is only as good as the physical security and safety of the locations you choose to store the drives.

doubt away but our data is backed up six ways from sunday with our disaster backup' secure in our safe deposit box. I don't trust cloud storage providers to ensure that data is properly secured from hacking and cracking or to even stay in business. but if it gives you peace of mind go for it.
strollin
Explorer
Feb 08, 2016
I have free accounts on quite a few different cloud storage sites. I've never even come close to using all the free storage they give me. However, I only store things on there that I need to be able to access from anywhere. For instance, I can put a document on Dropox then access it from any of my computers or my phone or my tablet. Great way to share things.
rwbradley
Explorer
Feb 07, 2016
AsheGuy wrote:
rk911 wrote:
yup. no one can or will ensure the safety and security of my data as well as me.

I seriously doubt that statement, but if it gives you peace of mind go for it.

When you consider all that can happen to your data (hardware failure, forgetfulness, fire, flood, storms, theft, etc., etc.) and with cloud storage companies whose reputation depends on their secure data, I would bet on cloud storage every day. For a company like Google (now the most valuable company in the world), you can bet they are focused on their cloud's reliability. Other major companies like MS and Apple also have a lot to lose.

And similar motivations give incentive to companies not to mess with your data.

I use cloud storage for my documents and photos and sleep very well at night. And it is NOT expensive.

Two WD Passport drives for < $100 each will give you the peace of mind and similar security without using the cloud. Keep two backup copies with one offsite. However this method is only as good as the physical security and safety of the locations you choose to store the drives.
AsheGuy
Explorer
Feb 07, 2016
rk911 wrote:
yup. no one can or will ensure the safety and security of my data as well as me.

I seriously doubt that statement, but if it gives you peace of mind go for it.

When you consider all that can happen to your data (hardware failure, forgetfulness, fire, flood, storms, theft, etc., etc.) and with cloud storage companies whose reputation depends on their secure data, I would bet on cloud storage every day. For a company like Google (now the most valuable company in the world), you can bet they are focused on their cloud's reliability. Other major companies like MS and Apple also have a lot to lose.

And similar motivations give incentive to companies not to mess with your data.

I use cloud storage for my documents and photos and sleep very well at night. And it is NOT expensive.
rk911
Explorer
Feb 07, 2016
tvman44 wrote:
Maybe I am just getting old, but I don't trust cloud storage. I prefer a couple external HDD's. :)

yup. no one can or will ensure the safety and security of my data as well as me.
hershey
Explorer
Feb 06, 2016
NorfolkCounty wrote:
hershey wrote:
I use drop box. not quiet he same as cloud' but it saves my important files on all my smart phones' tablets and computers by sync.

Just for clarification - dropbox is a "cloud" storage service. A cloud storage service is any service that stores your bytes on hard disks over the internet.
OK. so its the same thing, only different.
NorfolkCounty
Explorer
Feb 06, 2016
hershey wrote:
I use drop box. not quiet he same as cloud' but it saves my important files on all my smart phones' tablets and computers by sync.

Just for clarification - dropbox is a "cloud" storage service. A cloud storage service is any service that stores your bytes on hard disks over the internet.
tvman44
Explorer
Feb 06, 2016
Maybe I am just getting old, but I don't trust cloud storage. I prefer a couple external HDD's. :)
hershey
Explorer
Feb 06, 2016
I use drop box. not quiet he same as cloud' but it saves my important files on all my smart phones' tablets and computers by sync.
1492
Moderator
Feb 06, 2016
icanon wrote:
By selling your personal information.

Could be the case, or otherwise, use the info for marketing purposes?

You should always read the terms of service for free services. For instance, Dropbox may collect account, ip address, browser, and other info, but states that "We may share information as discussed below, but we won't sell it to advertisers or other third-parties."

Dropbox uses Amazon AWS for cloud storage, and users can allow third party apps which can access your account. So may share personal info to do so? In any case, stated in their TOS.