Best Online Backup Service for Beginners
Summary: If you’re not backing up your computers and phones, the files on them could be lost forever, with no hope of recovery.
If your device ever gets lost, stolen, hacked, or damaged, without backups the files could be lost for good.
With an easy to use online backup service, you can automatically back up your entire system, from laptops to mobile devices.
By uploading copies of everything to a remote server, online backup services ensure that even if your devices are damaged, your files are safe and secure.
For an online backup service that’s great for beginners, check out iDrive.
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Why Are My Files at Risk?
So many of us don’t even bother to print off our pictures anymore.
There are hundreds of them stored on our cell phones and computers, but so very few make it to frames and photo albums.
The same can definitely be said for our tax documents and other legal forms.
These days, everything’s digital, and most of us are a long way from getting into the habit of having hard copies of all of these important files and photos.
Of course, this means that if our devices get damaged or stolen, those files are gone – permanently.
Online backup services are an easy and effective way to make sure our precious memories and important documents are never gone for good.
How Does Online Backup Work?
Online backup is a pretty straightforward process, though it can also depend on the company’s software.
Typically you get started by downloading the software or apps from their site that is compatible with your operating system.
Once set up, the program will usually begin by making copies of everything on your device and uploading them to the company’s secure servers.
Nothing is ever deleted off of your device, since the idea is to have a copy to fall back on.
Most programs use continuous backup to make sure no stone is left unturned.
This feature automatically backs up any files that is added or changed in your system, though you can also schedule backups typically as well.
Top 3 Online Backup Services for Beginners
Not everyone is familiar with online backup programs and how they work, so I’ve made it easy to narrow it down to the most user-friendly, affordable option out there.
Here are a few popular online backup companies, and how they compare for beginner use.
#1 Choice: iDrive – 9.5/10 – Intuitive and easy to use, at the best price around
I love iDrive for a lot of reasons, but not the least of which is their awesome software set up.
I’ve used a few different backup services, but as someone just starting out, this one was always the one that was easiest to use.
When you download and install iDrive, all you need is a name, e-mail, address, and password to get started. Then, once installation is complete, you can start your back up process.
The software dashboard, despite all of its bells and whistles is super easy to navigate.
When you add a file or folder to your backup list, it shows up in the lower half of your screen, so there’s no wondering what you have and haven’t gotten to.
Aside from being so easy to use, iDrive is also incredibly affordable.
Their plans are just under $45 per year, and that includes external hard drive and mobile device backup, with up to 1 TB of storage space.
You also get 30 day file recovery and file versioning up to ten versions back, so files that are modified or deleted in your backups are easily retrievable.
Plus, iDrive is one of the most secure backup services you’ll find, with geo redundant storage at their data centers, and military grade encryption to keep your files safe.
You can even clear your devices if they’re ever stolen with their handy remote wipe feature.
For all of this, plus excellent support that’s available instantly and by e-mail, get the absolute best online backup service for beginners, get iDrive today.
#2: CrashPlan – 7/10 – Unlimited storage space, but not the most straightforward software
While CrashPlan boasts unlimited storage space as one of the key selling points of their service plans, I’m not really crazy about how their software is set up.
Downloading and installation is all pretty straightforward, but CrashPlan doesn’t lay out how you get started very well with their program.
You kind of just have to fumble your way around to figure out where to get started. I found iDrive to be much easier to use.
Their plans do boast some unlimited features as well, like unlimited file recovery and versioning, but they fall short when it comes to mobile backup.
Though they have apps for Android and Apple devices, CrashPlan doesn’t allow you to back up your mobile devices at all, so those files are still vulnerable to loss.
For mobile backups, stick with iDrive.
CrashPlan is secure enough though, with the same 256 bit encryption protocols in place that iDrive uses.
However, like most backup services, they’re not geo redundant, so if their data center gets damaged, that’s it – your files are gone.
CrashPlan isn’t a bad backup service, but they’re strange software design and lack of mobile options makes them a far less appealing option for beginners.
CrashPlan can be found at this website.
#3: Acronis– 5/10 – Easy to use, but requires a lot of personal information
Acronis is way down here at number three, not really because it’s terribly difficult to use, but because the company requires so much personal information to even set up an account.
On multiple occasions, Acronis will ask for everything from your first and last name to your phone number and home address.
To add insult to injury, their terms and conditions seem to do a happy dance all over their users’ privacy, with phrases that imply that your file privacy is not guaranteed.
Heck, Acronis doesn’t even guarantee the security of your files. Isn’t that what you’re paying them for??
And speaking of paying, paying is something you do a lot of with Acronis.
Though their services have photo and video backup for mobile devices, and unlimited storage space, nothing in that list of attributes warrants the mighty price tag they have.
You’ll pay a whopping $70 for a plan that includes mobile device backup.
Acronis is nowhere near worth the prices they charge, and it’s clear that their users’ privacy is of little concern to them.
You can get software that’s even more user friendly without breaking the bank with iDrive.
Acronis is here.
Conclusion: Use iDrive for Secure Backup Anytime, Anywhere
Not everyone is a tech wiz, and for users new to online backup software, the idea of placing all of your files into a process you don’t fully understand can seem a little, well, sketchy.
Here are a few things iDrive gives you that will make sure your files are secure and truly private:
- file encryption
- geo redundancy
- they own their data centers
- 1 TB of storage (this is huge!)
- optional private encryption key
In addition, their terms and conditions are set up in your favor.
For the most private and secure backup service, at the best price, get iDrive right away.
