Nothing is more annoying and more frustrating than having your computer crash and losing all of your information. With all the music, movies, pictures and other files I store on my computer I was so frustrated when my computer crashed last month.

I thought I was taking all the right precautions. I had security software on my computer, I never visited questionable sites and I never opened up emails of senders I didn’t know. So I really have no idea how my computer became infected with this virus.

When I once again got my computer to start up, it made me restore all the original factory settings, which made me lose all the files I had stored. This is so disheartening, that I looked for another way to store my data. I immediately bought an external hard drive, but then I figured out that these too can get viruses.

Suffice to say, this frustrated me to no end and I started searching for other possibilities for backup for my files. That’s when I learned about online file storage. Even if I my laptop is stolen, I still can access my files, pictures and documents through online backup. There are many sites that offer this kind of storage, and with it, I don’t have to worry about transferring my files everywhere I go.

If you have a separate work and home computer, you can get those same files online without having to email anything, and without using flash drives. You do not have to take your laptop with you wherever you go, because online backup makes things easy.

One reason why I waited so long to do this is because I thought the process would be hard to learn. However, I learned that there are simple instructions, and if you need more help, these sites can even do your backup for you.

I worried about the security of my files being stored online, but they do everything through encryption, so I know it is just as safe as anything else I send online. These companies are really concerned about safety and security, so if you have concerns, you should look at their individual sites to know what they do to protect the documents stored there.

I signed up for online backup, and I am so glad that my files are now protected against any computer crashes or viruses. If you are anything like me, you probably spend a lot of time on your computer, and you want to make sure your files are protected.

Cledis Mathis has been working with file hosting sites for many years and can answer all the inquires you may have about online file storage sites. Cledis has a deep understanding about what to search for in a file hosting site.

If you are searching for ways on how to prevent computer crashes, you may be glad to know that almost every kind of computer crash is preventable. And for those that aren’t, such as a hard drive going bad, there are ways to minimize that damage that they do. However, you have to make yourself responsible for your computer’s health and not just expect it to run smoothly forever. By taking certain measures, you can ensure that your computer will run faster and better as well as longer. You can also be sure that those crashes that do happen will not make you miserable.

The first step in computer crash prevention is proper maintenance. A well-maintained car won’t break down on you. Just the same, a well-maintained computer will be more reliable. And when there is a problem, you will be more likely to spot it early. Proper computer maintenance doesn’t just mean cleaning the dust out of the case every month. You also need to run scan disk and defrag programs about every month. You should run a registry cleaner just as often, if not more often. These programs are simple to use and will keep your computer running as smoothly as it can.

Another important thing you can do is to be on the lookout for any signs of trouble in your computer system. Computers can run diagnostic tests and when you are able to catch possible sources of failure, you may prevent the problem from worsening. You should be alert for symptoms of a bad RAM or a hard drive which may be on the verge of crashing. A RAM stick can act up if you lack computer memory, and constant clicking sounds can indicate a hard drive going bad. As soon as you hear or recognize these telling signs, make sure you do a computer backup right away.

One of the biggest aspects of learning how to prevent computer crashes is knowing how to protect your computer. There are numerous steps you can take here. First, keep your computer well-ventilated as overheating can damage it. Keep your computer where it won’t be bumped or kicked since even small movements can damage a hard drive. Always use a surge protector for your computer because even a small power surge can fry a motherboard. While it may seem like common sense, be sure to have adequate anti-virus protection. That means using a program that suits your needs. If you browse the web a lot, you want the best security. And always make sure your anti-virus software is up to date.

By keeping yourself aware of the many signs of computer failure, you can prevent problems from occurring. If you can’t prevent it, at least take time to back up your date so that crashes do not bring too much frustration and inconvenience on your part. Maintain, protect, and know how to prevent computer crashes so your computer is assured of a healthier and longer life.

Whether you are a student with school work to store or just someone looking for a place to keep your numerous photos, the best online backup services have a lot to offer you. If you just want to make space on your hard drive for something else or if you are worried about possible damage to your files, you will find that the best place to keep them is far, far away. Since most file backup companies have bunkers which are nearly impervious to outside disasters, there really is no safer place that you can put your important files. But finding the company that works best for you can be a bit of a challenge unless you know what to look for.

Most companies which offer similar services will be priced competitively. You can expect an average of around $5 a month for most online storage companies. But depending on what you want from the company, you may pay more or less, even nothing at all. But be careful when the price seems suspiciously low or you get free offers. While they are usually harmless, you don’t want to entrust your files with someone who really does not offer you the service you need. It is fairly typical that you get what you pay for when it comes to online backup services. And while you don’t have to pay a huge fee, you will rest easier when you know that you are getting a quality service.

Access to the files you backup may or may not be extremely important to you. If you are just looking to store your photos, you may not need them at a moment’s notice. But if you are a student who wants access to you old homework files or a business person who needs to get to old client information, you want a service that does not require you to wait all day to see your files. Different companies offer different levels of access to the files you store so getting the one that suits your needs is very important.

And then you also have to think about the actual software that you’d need to install on your computer. Is it user-friendly enough for you? Would you have to deal with a lot of technical stuff that you’re not comfortable with. Most backup software are designed to be as simple and convenient as possible for the user but you’d need to find out which you would be most happy to work with. Remember that online backups are there to make backing up your data easier without having to go through hoops for it. The best online backup services make sure you get that.

Lastly, it’s important that you get an online service that gives absolute security. Online backup companies employ different methods of keeping your data secure. Most of them have the files encrypted while being backed up, and there are those that distribute the files across different services so that an intruder will find it impossible to get access to any one user’s data. There are also companies which allow you to keep hold of your password yourself. For you to find the best online backup services, make the decision based on what service fits your needs best.

Unfortunately, hard drive failure is a fact of life for a computer owner. The circle of mechanical life and death does not skip over any hard drives. Even if yours has lasted for a decade, it is just as susceptible to immediate and catastrophic failure as any other drive. Protecting your drive from the causes of hard drive failure is important, but you must also learn to recognize the signs of a failing drive and know what to do. Or, more importantly, what to avoid doing.

Say your hard drive has been clicking and grinding for a couple weeks and now it is making noises straight out of a sci-fi movie. This is a sign of potential hard drive failure. In fact, most strange noises coming from a hard drive are signs of trouble. If your drive is making any abnormal noise, you need to immediately back up your information. If you operating system is on that drive, you may even want to remove it entirely and reinstall your OS to avoid an even bigger potential headache.

However, do not even think about fixing the problem yourself. Some computer users think that they may be able to correct whatever is wrong with the system if they open the drive. This is true for old hard drives and even new ones which you may think would be easy to “fix.” Not so. Opening a hard drive without the proper tools and facilities would only worsen the situation. Hard drives are assembled in clean rooms and are therefore susceptible to damage even by the smallest microscopic particle. If you open the case by yourself, you are making the repair more difficult.

If you have been backing up your data regularly, then you may not have a big issue. You simply need to replace the drive and put the data back on. But if you don’t have backups of the data, you don’t need to panic. There are specialists who may be able to recover what is on the drive. Be aware that this is not a cheap process, nor can it happen overnight. It requires a clean room, specialized tools and a very knowledgeable person. And even they may not be able to recover everything you had on the drive.

Trying out home remedies to revive and keep your hard drive running may not be a good idea too. Do not ever attempt to freeze the drive in your refrigerator or try to repair it by yourself. These are simply myths which will only worsen your drive problems. Doing so will only make your drive unusable again. Only when you lose your hard drive and the data with it will you realize that the important files and personal documents you have stored over the years cannot be replaced by any amount of money. Old pictures, recipes, and emails are simply priceless. The best way to avoid such problems is by learning how to take good care of your hard drive.

More people are now discovering the wisdom of using online storage services as a reliable method for having a backup of one’s important files, as compared to keeping local backups such as external hard drives. What they all want to know now is “How safe are online backup facilities like Carbonite”?

The process that they go through is extensive and thorough to make sure that they have all of your files and that they are securely encrypted, so as to prevent theft and loss. I have checked them out thoroughly because I use this service myself and had the same concerns before. From protecting files that have been stored over time to those that we have just saved, Carbonite Backup gets them, encrypts them, stores them, and keeps them safe.

While there is the rarest of chances that something may happen, the actual chances of your files being stolen, leaked or lost are next to nothing. Their servers are professionally managed, and use only the most technologically-advanced database systems. These will ensure that your data is safe and secure.

If mere words of assurance are not enough for you to completely believe in this online backup company’s capabilities, allow me to quickly explain what goes on behind the scenes when Carbonite backs up and stores your files. Before the actual transfer, your data is protected by the 448-bit encryption. Then when the transfer process commences, the files go through further encryption using the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) to guarantee that no theft or loss takes place while data transmission is on going. These two encryption methods are among the best today and no one has ever breached them. When your files reach Carbonite’s serves, they remain in that encrypted state until you retrieve them.

If you need to access your files, Carbonite has encryption keys to unlock your data and only a few select people at Carbonite have access to these encryption key codes. Even the database that stores the encryption keys is encrypted as well. Carbonite stores over 25 billion files and there is no ordinary employee that has access to any of the files.

So there now as you can see, you have absolutely nothing to worry about when it comes to the security of your files with Carbonite Backup. By using an external hard drive, yes, you may have your data directly under your control but still you can’t prevent it from getting corrupted or suddenly dying on you. Plus, external hard drives have a greater chance of being stolen in your home than your files stored at Carbonites server. If I were you, I’d be more concerned with the absence of having an online data backup and storage for my files.

Mozy Home represents one of the two main services offered by Mozy for online backup. Mozy Pro is the other service which is designed specifically for business use. As the name suggests, Mozy Home is commonly used for home and personal use being one of the most affordable backup solutions available today. The review made for Mozy Home will provide a fair value of the quality of their services, in order to help you decide whether to choose it or not.

For less than $5 per month, here’s a summary of what you get:

Unlimited storage The software is easy to install and use. You can automatically or manually backup your files either on the Pc or Mac. For both, transmission and file storage, multi-layer security is ensured. The backup process works smoothly and without making sound or damaging your computer. Remote access to your documents.

What’s Good and Not-so-Good

Probably the best thing about Mozy Home is that there is a free version for those who do not have a lot of data backup needs. With this plan you are allowed up to 2GB of backup storage space. If you determine that you are going to need more than that you just upgrade to the unlimited plan which is still less than $5 per month.

Installation and setup is simple with Mozy Home. First time users will have no problem getting started with this user friendly interface. Your initial backup might take days to complete so do not be alarmed. The amount of time the initial backup will takes completely depends on the amount of data that is being backed up and the speed of your internet connection.

After your initial backup is finished you then can set your backups to be automated based on the schedule you set up. So basically, once the schedule is set Mozy will do all the work in the background without affecting your ability to continue to use your computer. Another wonderful and important service Mozy provides is that it encrypts your files before it uploads them and they remain encrypted while they are stored on their secure server. This security step is extremely important to give you peace of mind that your data is not going to be compromised.

When you want to restore your files you are given three options. You can restore your data onto your desktop, the web or a DVD. Having these different options is very good but there have been some reports that restoration can be a very slow process. Sometimes it can take 24 hours just to get your data prepared for restoration then add in the download time. If you choose the DVD option then you will need to add in the extra shipping time.

For smaller files, you can do a quick and easy desktop restore, where you simply use the restore interface found in your Mozy Home desktop software interface. For larger files however, Mozy recommends you use web restore where you make a restore request directly to Mozy. While the request itself can be done easily, downloading the zip files can take some time, and for those unfamiliar with zip files, sorting through these can be pretty daunting. If either option doesn’t work for you, you can also use the DVD restore alternative and have your files sent to you on DVD for a fee of about $60.

An important disadvantage of Mozy Home is regarding their customer support. Many users complaint about the fact that Mozy does not supply a telephone number to offer their support. In this way, users can contact Mozy customer support only via e-mail and live chat. Plus, some users are not satisfied by the way in which Mozy customer support responds to queries. Even if some users are not entirely satisfied by Mozy services, some evaluate their responsiveness as excellent.

Review Summary

Just like any other online backup service, Mozy Home has its pros and cons. It isn’t perfect but then again no service is. Overall, Mozy Home is an excellent value. To get unlimited backup for less than $5 per month is cheap “insurance” and a great way to protect your important files and data.

When you work on the Internet, there are safeguards that you need to take and one of them is all about making sure that you can carry on business in cyberspace with a reasonable assumption of security from day to day. See, it doesnt matter if the information that you need is from the cubicle next door or from across the world, you need to rest assured that an online data backup service will save the day if need be.

Shopping

And that generally means that youll need to do a bit of shopping for the right one. First off, youll cant be dissuaded by those who say that all you really need for a remote backup service is a blank CD Rom. As convenient as that might seem to be, its just not true. Although these can save your data, they are susceptible to being lost or stolen and that puts them far behind the remote backup ideal.

So it becomes clear that the remote backup is the one that has all of the professional attributes that youll need and them the job becomes how to go about selecting the ones thats right for you. Well, beyond the usual features that youll want to loo over, there are some other things that separate the best from the rest where these remote backups are concerned.

Look at the firms flexibility. Now it s not a secret that some of the places cater to the larger clients and that means that some of their products might be out of the price range of the small to medium sized business. So what youll want is to get as good look at the price range that the company is offering so that you can see if it suits your firm.

Then youll want to make sure that the palce has the best features. Now here that generally means that theyve got great software and a security package that includes an above average data stroage facility. Remember that when youre looking for the best in these storage facilities its always best to have a few points in mind and these include:

Cisco Firewalls. You want to be sure that youre getting the best when it comes to this type of feature and all the experts suggest that you look for the brand names here. HP Servers. Again, its necessary to look for the best here and with a name like HP you cant help but know that youre in good hands.