online data backup?

What do you mean by a backup?

Backing up files is a method through which files are stored in a location separate from the computer. This is done so as to prevent every small loss which may occur due to a sudden computer crash and making the access to those files possible in original even after a crash. Safety holds an incredible part in this process. Files like pictures, word documents, videos, e-mails, spreadsheets, and anything else you store locally on your computer, can easily be erased forever in a moment. Online data backup stores your files on the internet, in place of using traditional backup which typically uses disks or your computer's hard drive. The requirement of an online data backup service can be better understood if one knows about its advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of Online Data backup
- Online data backup will never rely on hardware or equipment that can fail. Since online backup is stored elsewhere, a disaster at your home or office will not be able to take out both your computer and your backup information.
- Users are able to backup their files anywhere that has an internet connection. Files are backed up incrementally, so when you update a file, only the changes will need to be uploaded to your backup system.
- One of the perks of online backup is the access which can be made anywhere. All you need is a computer and an internet connection to access them.
- Uploading and updating of files is automatically done whenever one gets online. This saves users time and effort, and helps in instances where you may forget to update your backup files with new or revised files.

Disadvantages of Online data backup
- The initial uploading of files is a lengthy process. This is often a barrier for most people, as even the most patient user can get frustrated when waiting that long for files to transfer and thus make this backup method impractical.
- File restoration will be a lengthy process as well. Downloading files back to your computer could take days, and while some online backup services will put it all on a disk and mail it to you, waiting for your own stored data can be annoying.
- As with anything posted on the internet, it is possible that your privacy may be compromised. Always check that the online backup you are using offers file encryption for transfers between you and the site, and make sure that the place where the data is stored is entirely secure as well.
- If you do not have an internet connection, or do not access the internet frequently, online backup is probably an impractical solution. By not accessing the internet, you deny the online backup system a way to incrementally update your files.