By Lifestyle Team

Don't Lose Your Photos: How to Protect Your Files & Photos with Cloud Storage & Backup Solutions

Don’t lose your photos and files to accidental spills or devastating viruses. Disaster can strike and destroy your computer or phone at any time. You can protect your files and photos by backing up your computer online. What’s the best way to store files safely if something happens? Below we’ve outlined the best cloud solutions to store and backup your data, including services that have free tiers. Find the cloud solution that suits your needs best.

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Your Personal Data is Sacred

Your personal information needs to stay safe and secure. You should back up your personal files on a regular basis. There may be a time when you need to reinstall your operating system or upgrade to a new computer. Once you back up your files, it’s there forever.

All documents, images, photos, videos, and any other content should be backed up on a regular basis. It can be hard to recover or replace most of these files. If you spent several hours ripping audio from a CD or DVD, then you’ll want to back up those files as well, unless you don’t mind doing that work all over again. Your files, operating system, and other programs should be backed up as well.

While it’s not required, it can make things easier if your hard drive quits on you. If you like playing around with different operating systems or files, then you’ll need to edit the registry and update your hardware. Sometimes a full system backup can save hours of stress when something happens.

Ways to Back Up Your Files Online: Cloud Storage

There are several ways to back up your files online. One option is to take the files stored to your external hard drive and back them up to the cloud or over the internet. A cloud-based solution isn’t technically a backup method, but it can provide peace of mind for most users. Rather than storing your files on a hard drive, you’ll use a free cloud storage service such as Dropbox, iCloud, or Microsoft OneDrive.

It’ll automatically backup or sync your data every time you add new files. In the event that your hard drive crashes, you’ll still have those copies on hand. This is one of the fastest and easiest ways to back up your information since it protects you from data loss. But this solution only works if you have so many files that you need to back up, or if you don’t mind paying for extra storage.

You can also back up your files over the internet to keep your files safe. There are plenty of online services such as Backblaze, Carbonite, and MozyHome. Each of these services has affordable monthly services that provide automatic backup to the service’s web storage. In the event that you lose your files, you can instantly restore them.

These services also come with limitations. For example, if you delete a file, then it’ll be removed from your online backup within a month. You can’t recover a lost file after that time has passed. So, you need to be especially cautious when deleting files if you need to access them again.

One Online Backup Solution Isn’t Enough

You’re better off using more than one backup solution. The best solution is to use a combination of offsite and onsite backups. Offsite backups take place at a remote location whereas onsite means the files are being backed up in the same location you’re in. Offsite backups don’t take place on the internet and require a monthly subscription.

Onsite backups are easier and quicker to use and should be your first choice in preventing data loss. If you lose your files, then you can restore them from an external source. But you can’t always rely on them in the event of a burglary or fire. Then, you’ll lose all of your information.

Automate Your Backup Service

This may sound confusing to you by now. But the more that you automate your backup systems, the more you’ll be able to back up your files. It’s important to use an automated program rather than transporting files to an external hard drive by yourself. It automatically backs up your files after you set it up.

If you don’t want to use a local backup, then use a file-syncing service like Dropbox, iCloud, or Microsoft OneDrive. Each of these services will sync your files to online cloud storage. If you ever lose your local files, then you can access them online.

You no longer have to ask, “Can I backup my computer online?” Consider where your files are located and make sure you always have multiple copies on hand. You should have those copies in more than one location. As long as you back up your files in the event that your computer dies, then you’ll combat data loss.

Best Cloud Backup & Storage Solutions

IDrive

  • Has a free tier for storage (5GB)
  • Offers both Backup AND Storage solutions
  • Easy to navigate and fast
  • Photo facial recognition for organization
  • Quick data resotration
  • Business plan includes 3 free backups a year

OneDrive

  • Has a free tier for storage (5GB)
  • Works great in conjunction with Office 365
  • Perfect for Businesses & dedicated Microsoft Office users

Google Drive

  • Has a super generous free tier for storage (15GB)
  • Integrates well with Android
  • Ties into Google’s Cloud Platform
  • Store unlimited high def photos on your mobile phone

CarboniteSafe

  • Home plan is only $6/month
  • Multiple encryption technologies to keep your data safe
  • Largely automatic
  • Can integrate with Android and iOS apps

pCloud Cloud Storage

  • Has a super generous free tier for storage (10GB)
  • Offers a lifetime subscription (160 pounds)
  • Paid options includes family and business options