| The process of backing up one's computer data is a | | | | process may be interrupted by a failed internet |
| process that, like other forms of insurance, may | | | | connection. |
| seem too mundane or unnecessary to bother with - | | | | Many of the services offered allow free trials; fees |
| until disaster strikes and it is too late. Years ago, | | | | are approximately five dollars per month for a normal |
| computer data backup software and solutions | | | | subscription, all the way up to hundreds of dollars per |
| consisted of some form of external physical media, | | | | year for enterprise subscriptions. At the moment, |
| such as a CD, zip drive, dvd, external hard drive, or | | | | storage space availability starts at one gigabyte on |
| tape drive, plus automating software running on the | | | | up to unlimited space. Compared to external media, |
| computer. | | | | the user has the option of purchasing much more |
| If you're in the market for a backup solution, | | | | storage space as they need it. |
| consider more modern broadband internet | | | | Some services are geared more towards the |
| connections and affordable hard drive space to meet | | | | Windows operating system, or more towards the |
| your online backup needs. Many online backup | | | | Mac operating system. As such, one can expect the |
| services offer plenty of additional space including | | | | restoration of their data to be a smoother process |
| disaster recovery. The advantage of these services | | | | from certain services than others. Many of the online |
| is that the user doesn't need to purchase additional | | | | backup services also include various additional |
| external storage, but rather continue paying for the | | | | functionality, such as photo sharing through the |
| service on an ongoing basis just like an internet | | | | creation of online slideshows, file sharing, and data |
| service provider. | | | | encryption during the upload process, the download |
| Another advantage is that the software client's | | | | process, as well as for the data storage itself. |
| footprint is often lighter and less taxing on one's | | | | Data back-up routines are a necessity when it comes |
| computer than running a traditional backup program. | | | | to internal hard drives. Due to the failure rates you |
| One disadvantage, however, is that the speed of the | | | | should apply a functional back-up routine regardless |
| backup process is limited to bandwidth, which can | | | | of the service provider. To prevent stolen data and |
| make large backups very time consuming compared | | | | compromising your hard drive a back-up can be |
| to more traditional external physical media. The | | | | critical in the event of an emergency. |