| There are many online backup service providers | | | | Sharing: Online Backup is virtually an extension of |
| today and their number is increasing everyday. Each | | | | popular “file sharing” systems – those |
| new provider tries to differentiate their services by | | | | services that let you publish your files online to share |
| offering additional features with their innovative online | | | | with friends or co-workers or provide you with a |
| backup system. Below is the list of the most useful | | | | virtual HD on the internet. There is a significant |
| features which can help you choose the one best for | | | | difference with Online Backup. Data is already on the |
| you: | | | | internet and is uploaded while you are working on |
| Accessible anywhere: you should be able to access | | | | something else. This data can be immediately shared |
| files protected by Online Backup systems at any | | | | with a single click. The size of the file to be shared |
| time, directly from the client installed on your PC. Or | | | | doesn't make a difference in some Online Backup |
| you can access your files from any PC or cell phone | | | | services. The client automatically sends an e-mail to |
| with an internet connection via the service | | | | the file recipient with a link to the file. At this point, |
| provider’s website. | | | | the person who receives the e-mail clicks on the link |
| Multicomputer (several computers, one account): only | | | | and simply downloads the file. Other systems have |
| some services let a single user protect several | | | | size limits for files to be uploaded and the process is |
| computers with the same account. Most follow the | | | | more complicated. |
| concept: one account, one computer. Thanks to this | | | | Excellent performance: The best Online Backup |
| system, you can Backup your home and office | | | | services do not slow down your computer. Generally, |
| computers and access data through a single interface | | | | they monitor how many resources are being used by |
| regardless of where the saved data came from. | | | | the system and adjust to user needs. This way, they |
| Permanent storage: You should pay careful attention | | | | do not affect computer performance. |
| to storage length. In fact, some services guarantee | | | | Search engines: The best Online Backup programs |
| protection for an amount of time that can be virtually | | | | have an internal search engine that lets you quickly |
| infinite (as long as you pay the subscription). Others, | | | | find and manage your files. Some have a semantic |
| on the other hand, only backup and protect data for | | | | search system that lets you run advanced searches |
| several days (usually 30). This means that you only | | | | in documents with more detailed results. |
| have 30 days to recover data that was backed up | | | | Scalable On-Demand: Available space can be increased |
| online. Otherwise data is permanently lost. | | | | in almost all services by paying for additional |
| Real time backup: If a user creates a new file or | | | | Gigabytes. Many software houses sell standard |
| changes an existent one, the client immediately and | | | | packages of a set number of Gigabytes. Others are |
| automatically saves new or changed files on the | | | | more flexible and take customer needs into account. |
| remote server. Not all services include this function. | | | | Versioning: the system traces all changes made on a |
| Some only backup files every 12 or 24 hours. | | | | certain file for a virtually indefinite period of time. |
| Fully automatic: Once you choose what to save, the | | | | Whenever the file is saved, the system only saves |
| client starts with the computer, silently and | | | | the incremental part, creating a new version. Thus, if |
| continuously running in background to protect data | | | | you want to restore an old document that was |
| without having to intervene and only if computer | | | | accidentally overwritten, simply go back and open all |
| resources (band, RAM, CPU) are not used by other | | | | the previous versions. The system does not delete |
| more important processes. You can also decide to | | | | saved files unless the user deletes them. Only a few |
| backup new files at any time until you fill all your | | | | providers include this essential feature. |
| available space. | | | | |