Best Online Backup Service for Working Remotely
Summary: Working from home definitely has its advantages, but it’s up to you as the employee to take the security of your files seriously.
If your device is hacked, damaged, or stolen, all of your files, contacts, and work could be gone for good.
An online backup service can protect you from losing your work, and keep things running smoothly and professionally for you.
By continuously backing up your system, and online backup service makes sure even files that are modified are constantly backed up and up to date.
For tons of secure storage space at a great price, get iDrive now.
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Why Are My Files at Risk?
With the connectivity that online sites and services have brought us in the modern age, plenty of people are finding ways to work remotely, rather than commute to an office every day.
While this form of work definitely has its advantages, it also puts a lot of the burden of responsibility to protect your files and data on you, the employee, rather than the company you work for.
If your laptop is stolen, or your desktop is damaged, not only could your files and contacts be gone for good, but information about the company you work for could be compromised.
Not only does this set you back with your work, but it could compromise your professionalism in the eyes of your employer.
Sure, accidents happen, but are you taking steps to protect your files and data? If the answer’s no, it’s time to start looking at online backup service plans.
How Does Online Backup Work?
When you sign up for an online backup service, you get a storage space allowance and a software bundle.
Once installed, the software will walk you through the steps of setting up your backup specifications, and will often get things started by backing up your entire system right away.
From there, the software usually runs what’s called continuous backup of your system, so any file that is added or modified is automatically backed up.
You can also throttle bandwidth to control how much it slows things down, or choose to schedule incremental backups instead.
Top 3 Online Backup Services for Working Remotely
There are a lot of options for online backup services, and with so many features and sales pitches, it’s hard to know which ones you can actually count on.
Here I’ve got a few of the most popular ones on the web, and I’ll explain what they have to offer, and how they compare for backing up files for remote workers.
#1 Choice: iDrive – 9/10 – Most comprehensive security at the best price
If you’re working remotely and need a backup service, it definitely helps your bottom line if it’s priced right.
Not only does iDrive have the best security and the most features, but they have it all at for the low price of just over $44 for an entire year, and 1 TB of storage space.
Their security is absolutely top notch, so your files are totally private, and totally safe.
They encrypt everything from transport to archive with military grade encryption, and also give you the option of setting a private encryption key.
Better still, iDrive is one of the only companies that actually has full control and ownership of their data centers, and still manages geo redundant storage.
That means that even if a fire or natural disaster destroys their servers in one location, your files are stored in multiple places, and remain safe and secure.
With their remote wipe feature, you can also delete files from your device if it falls into the wrong hands – a crucial part of protecting the privacy of the company you work for.
iDrive also has backup that fully supports backing up external hard drives and mobile devices.
So you can use it interchangeable between everything, from MacBooks to Android phones, storing everything on them in their remote servers.
With so many features at such a great price, there’s no question, for the best deal you’re going to find, get iDrive now.
#2: CrashPlan – 7.5/10 – Mobile file sync, but no sharing options
One feature that’s incredibly helpful for remote workers is the ability to sync and share backed up files.
Once your files get copied to the company’s servers, companies like iDrive allow you to sync your files with all of your devices to access them on the go.
While CrashPlan does do this, they don’t have a way for you to share files with your coworkers – you’ll either have to use a cloud storage service, or e-mail them as attachments.
However, CrashPlan like iDrive, has apps for all of your mobile devices that allow you to manage your account on the go, and their software works on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.
With these guys, you actually get unlimited file storage space, versioning, and recovery, so nothing you ever delete or modify in your backups is ever really gone for good.
Their security is pretty good even though it isn’t geo redundant. For protection of your files in multiple locations, stick with iDrive.
CrashPlan also offers optional private encryption keys, military grade encryption, and a remote wipe feature to keep thieves from seeing sensitive company information.
Keep in mind you will pay a few dollars more for CrashPlan over iDrive.
CrashPlan can be found at this website.
#3: Acronis– 5/10 – Be careful with what you store
I’m not a big fan of Acronis’s online backup for a lot of reasons, but I would be especially careful if you’re using them to store company information.
Their user policy gives some very vague information as to how private your files really are and who has access to them, and they require a lot of personal information to even set up an account.
Though Acronis does offer the same encryption options as iDrive, they don’t have geo redundant storage, and there is no remote wipe feature with this company either.
Given that their prices start at $5 higher than iDrive, and quickly rise to $75 per year for Mac backup, this is a small feature you would certainly expect them to have.
In addition, there is no recovering deleted files with Acronis, and their software is not compatible with Linux systems.
With the prices they’re charging, I would expect nothing but top notch service, but it’s clear this is a company that doesn’t mind nickel and diming their customers.
You’ve gotta spend money to make money, but not this much money – use iDrive for better service at a much better price.
Acronis is here.
Conclusion: Use iDrive for Secure Backup Anytime, Anywhere
If you’re working from home, congratulations, you are officially free from early morning traffic jams and frantic searches for clean work shirts (hello, pajamas).
But working remotely has its own set of expectations, and one of those is that you do your part to ensure your work and the company’s information is safe and secure.
Before you pull the trigger on purchasing an online backup service, ask yourself:
- Is the price reasonable?
- Do I get enough storage space?
- Can I back up my mobile devices?
- Are my files private and secure?
- Is sharing of files easy?
Their feature list is one of the most comprehensive you’re going to find.
Get covered, and get secure – get iDrive now.