How Does Cloud Storage and Cloud Backup Work differently?
Cloud storage is simply the backup of files in the online workstation using hybrid cloud technology. Many of us has lots of data and information that we wouldn’t like to carry about on the regular hardware drives because we can misplace in diverse ways thereby losing our very important data. So, instead of keeping your data and large files on our local hard drive, external hard drive, or flash drive, we can decide to save them online using the cloud technology. We have previously written an article about the advantages and disadvantages of cloud storage, you can read it for more understanding.
Come to think of it, there are clearly numerous reasons why to use cloud storage services. On the other hand, your local hard disk/drives may be getting pretty low on disk space, of which you can make use the cloud storage technology as extra storage. Your drives can be damaged due to accident or get lost due to physical theft but cloud services can prevent you from that. You may have a presentation to do in your office and you mistakenly forget your drive at home or in your hotel room. Then how can you access your files? In short, the solution is cloud storage or backup.
In addition, you may even want to be able to stream your videos and music collection from anywhere and at any time. Not to mention that, you can also access your work files and documents at home during holidays. You can even freely share your vacation videos with friends and family that are abroad etc. That’s not all, you can easily upload your files online to a cloud storage service developed by a hybrid cloud service provider. Furthermore, one other major purpose to use cloud storage is if you want to save important files secured by the use of a password and encoded encryption.
To cut the long story short, cloud storage is a very helpful tech not only when it comes to backup with you your phone, tablet, or another computer but also for security purposes and the ability to easily share files with friends, family and colleagues r access them yourself from any place.
Ask Me: How Cloud Storage Works?
I will carefully explain to you the mechanism of how cloud storage work. In the first place, whenever you upload a file to the internet through any website or online portal and that file remains there for a long period of time, it’s considered the use of cloud storage. Ordinarily, the easiest form of cloud storage is uploading something to an online server and having the ability to recover it again whenever you want it back.
In line with this, a reliable cloud storage service provider safeguards the data behind encryption and requires you to enter a password in order to be able to access the files. Having a premium account is recommended because most of the time, the cloud storage account can be protected behind two-factor authentication. This is important so that any unauthorized person who wants to access to your files must know not only the password but another encryption code sent to your phone for verification upon the login request.
What can you Store of Cloud Servers?
Different cloud service vendors’ offers different cloud options depending on the one you opt-in. Ordinarily, most cloud storage services providers allows you upload all types of files such as: documents, music, videos, pictures, etc. Nonetheless, there are some that are limited to accepting only certain kinds of files, like software, apps only. In the long run, these Cloud storage services usually state clearly what’s allowed and what they don’t.
Comparatively, different cloud storage services allows users to upload their files to their online account through diverse methods. Most of them support in-browser uploads individually, meaning that you have to login to the cloud storage service’s portal to upload your data to their data base. Moreover, others have installed desktop applications that make uploading files easier by a simple pick-and-drop into the service’s devoted folder. Meanwhile, others also support uploading images and videos from your phone or tablet.
There are some common torrent cloud storage services that enables their online torrent clients to download torrents their own browser but also store your files in your online account to stream or download later.
After your data/files are stored online, dependent on how the service works, the features you might get includes the capability to do the following;
- Stream videos and music
- Access the files from your mobile phone
- Easily share the files with others through a special share link
- Download the files back to your computer
- Delete them to free up space in your account
- Encrypt them so that not even the service can see them, and more.
What is the different between Cloud Storage and Cloud Backup?
Cloud backup and cloud storage are sometimes confused. As a matter of fact, both of them works alike and have a similar end result: the data and information are stored online. Meanwhile, there are two major reasons to use any of these services, and knowing how they differ is important so that you know which one to opt-in for your personal condition.
Cloud Storage
First of all, Cloud storage is a selective backup procedure that you can pick the files you want to store online, and then you send them to your online account. Once you have deleted a file on your computer that you previously backed up online, the file will still be in your cloud storage account since it isn’t actually tied to your computer any longer. Generally speaking, it’s just one file that you uploaded online.
Cloud Backup
Secondly, Cloud backup is when a computer user installs an app or program on his/her computer and tell it to save specific files backed up online. Furthermore, a backup service will ultimately upload any new changes made to the file so that the up-to-date version is always stored online. That is to say that; if the user deletes a file from his/her computer, it might also get deleted from your online backup account, and if you change a file on your computer, the online version changes too.
Going a step further, a backup service is great if you want to always keep a huge number of files backed up on cloud. If peradventure your computer unexpectedly stops functioning, you can simply restore all the backed up files on a new computer or a different hard drive. Equally, you’ll get the matching copies of previously backup program stored those files online.
Equally important, you have to keep in mind that a cloud storage service is less practical as an always-on backup solution. Of course, it is more helpful as a way to back up specific files that you want to have access to from any place or share with anyone of your choosing. As shown above, the file versions in the cloud storage account are the same as the versions the user has uploaded not minding if you changed them on your computer. It is different from the online backup, where you can still download the files again if peradventure you need to, in case your computer crashes.
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Examples of Personal Cloud Storage Options
In the first instance, there are several cloud storage providers across the world, but we will talk about some of the more popular ones such as Amazon, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Apple iCloud, and Dropbox.
Amazon Drive: They seem to offer about 5GB of free cloud storage. Nonetheless, if you have an Amazon Prime account, then your free plan will also include unlimited photo storage and 5 GB for other file types. Meanwhile, you can pay for more file space if you need it.
Google Drive: This type of cloud storage was built to work flawlessly with Google products. As user, you can up to get 15 GB of free online storage. You can use Google Drive to keep documents, photos, music, and videos. Whenever you need a bigger space, you can simply upgrade to Google One for more space from 100 GB to 30 TB, any place and anytime.
Microsoft OneDrive: This Microsoft’s version of cloud storage. You can get 5 GB of free space for any type of file. Meanwhile providers like Google Drive, OneDrive works seamlessly with Microsoft products such as Outlook Mail.
Apple iCloud: This is Apple’s cloud storage service which is available to Apple device users only, whether it is Mac computer, iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Users can only get 5 GB for free, then you have to buy more if you need to store large files. Just like an online backup service, iCloud can be used to automatically back up your phone’s images, emails, and so on.
Dropbox: This cloud service provider gives users who opt-in 2 GB for free and lets you access the files from the internet, your laptop/desktop, or your mobile device. Meanwhile, the Dropbox Plus or Professional can be bought for 1 TB or more of online storage space. There are also Dropbox Business plans for bigger users.
Choosing the Better Cloud Storage Provider
First things first, it will be important for you to note that many cloud storage providers in the industry would like your patronage, so it can be tasking to know which one to choose. You must consider some features before picking any online cloud backup service.
Security: Storing your files on cloud is not viable if it can’t be secured properly. In the light of this, your data must be encrypted to keep it private from unauthorized access. For those users that are concerned about the service provider itself being able to open your files and view all your private backed-up data, you must then choose a service that features “zero-knowledge encryption” option. Hybrid cloud Security details is available.
Price: Different providers have different charges but you have to choose the most cost effective cloud vendor. This is because, the cost is determined by how much space you anticipate needing. However, many services offer either a trial period or free storage to let you try out their features before buying.
Compatibility: Several device support is very important in cloud services. So if ever you want to be able to access your cloud data from your phone or tablet apart from your computer, be sure to choose a cloud storage vendor that allows it. Equally, it is recommended that you choose a service that can accept the types of files you want to store online, which includes music storage, apps, computer software etc.; that is if you want to store your music and working software online.
Features: As a cloud user, having a prior knowledge of the features your cloud storage service supports is vital in selecting the right service for you. Likewise, you do an evaluation of the top free cloud storage services can help you choose between a few of the best vendors. Outside the evaluation, you should do some personal research on the company’s websites to see what they offer from their services page. Try to find out, like if they support streaming media files from their website or mobile app, if that’s something you require to achieve your aim.
Ease of use: Using the cloud service should be understanding and simple. Uploading and accessing your files on the cloud should be clear and easy to understand. If you want to be able to do this from your desktop, make sure it’s simple and won’t leave you scratching your head each time you just want to throw some files into your cloud storage account. If it isn’t easy to use, look elsewhere.
Reliability: If a cloud storage service shuts down, you might lose all of your data. For this reason, you will have to select a cloud company that is expected would give you a fair warning should they close their doors, or at least offer a way for you to transfer your data to another cloud location. Keep in mind that Cloud storage services that have been in operation for an extended period of time or that are well known are probably more likely to help out if they decide to shut down business, but you should read the fine print to see their actual policies so as not to fall into deep hole.
Bandwidth: The volume of space you need might decide the service provider you will use. So if you’re a heavy user, you should also think about data bandwidth limitations. Be smart in this area because some cloud storage services put a threshold on how much data can flow in and/or out of your account on a daily, monthly or yearly basis. For a business owner who plans to have customers, employees, or family or friends download large videos or lots of other files throughout the month, make sure the bandwidth limit isn’t going to affect you.
