Mozy Online Backup Service
Summary:
In this review, I took a closer look at Mozy’s personal backup service to see how they compared to similar product on the market.
Pros:
- compatible with most operating systems
- ultra-secure, geo redundant data centers
- very simple software
- 24/7 support
Cons:
- very little storage space included
- no file sharing feature
- a bit overpriced for what you get
Overall Score: 79/100
While Mozy excels with their system’s security and user privacy, their storage space limitations are a significant drawback to their service plans.
To get Mozy, sign up here: MozyHome
To see the highest rated Online Backup Service that scored a 93/100, go here: IDrive Online Backup
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Our world continues to move away from traditional paper documents and photo albums and further into flash drives and Instagram accounts.
We continue to put an ever-increasing amount of faith in the ability of technological systems to preserve our files.
It’s no secret that viruses, hackers, thieves, and physical threats could mean the unrecoverable loss of this data, so why then do such a small percentage of people actually back up their files?
Don’t fall into the overwhelming majority of people that are totally unprepared for total system devastation.
You can protect your files, and even sync them up with all of your devices, just by using an online backup service.
Working in the background of your computer, a backup service keeps up to date backups stored on secure servers, so if your device is ever compromised, you can still retrieve your files.
As these services become more and more popular, you have more choices than ever before with who you store your files with, so how do you decide?
I’m going to explain the ins and outs of how online backup services work.
Today we’ll take a closer look at Mozy’s backup service, to see what kind of features they have to offer their customers.
Maybe Mozy will be the right one for you, but if not, you’ll still have the knowledge to pick the best backup service for your needs.
Will Mozy Work on My Operating System?
First let’s start with a basic process of elimination, beginning with operating system compatibility.
If a program isn’t going to work on your device, there’s no point in really going any further into it, so find this information first.
Most backup software is compatible with at least Mac and Windows systems, and some will also work with Linux.
While Mozy doesn’t have software for Linux systems, they do have packages for several different versions of Windows and Mac.
Mobile Options
In addition to software compatibility, don’t forget to think about your mobile devices.
Next whittle down your list of contenders a little further based on which ones have mobile apps for your phones and tablets. Here are a few things you want them to be able to do:
- Sync all of your backed up files
- Back up your contact, apps, photos, and videos
- Manage your account
Most apps allow you to manage your account on the go and sync up all your files, which is really handy in itself, but ideally you should be able to back everything up as well.
Be sure to look into just what they let you back up on your mobile devices.
Mozy has apps for both iOS and Android that allow you to sync your files and manage your account, but you can only back up your photos.
Rating: 4/5 – Backs up mobile photos
What Kind of Features Does Mozy Have?
Okay, it’s time to get a little deeper into it now. These features are some key parts of what you’re paying for with an online backup service.
I’ll explain what they mean, what most companies offer, and what you get with Mozy, and then you can decide for yourself which ones you just can’t live without.
Feature #1: Storage Space
First things first, let’s talk storage space. Some companies have a limit to what you can store, typically between 500 GB and 5 TB, and others offer unlimited storage space.
Make sure that whichever plan you choose has plenty of space for you to store your files, as exceeding those limits can sometimes result in some pretty hefty fees.
Mozy is way low on the spectrum here, offering only 50 GB on their basic plan, and 125 GB on the next level up – way below average for this industry, and definitely for their price.
For additional fees, you can add 20 GB at a time, but even then, you’re still way below what most other companies offering.
Rating: 1/5 – Very little space included
Feature #2: File Size/Type Restrictions
This isn’t very common, but keep in mind that some companies actually impose restrictions on the sizes and types of files you can upload to their servers.
A lot of times this is just to limit big data dumps initially, but either way, any backup service that does this is immediately off the table for me.
Mozy doesn’t have any file size or type restrictions in place, so no matter when you start backing up, you can upload whatever you want to their servers.
Rating: 5/5 – No file restrictions
Feature #3: File Recovery
If you’ve ever deleted a file from your hard drive and scrambled to find it at the last minute, file recovery is a feature you’re going to want to look into.
With a file recovery grade period, you can usually retrieve deleted files within a certain window of time, typically at least 30 days.
With Mozy, you get up to 30 days to recover deleted files before they’re gone for good – plenty of time to realize your mistake and make a quick save.
Rating: 4/5 – 30 day file recovery
Feature #4: File Versioning
The same principles of file recovery also apply to file versioning.
With this feature though, previous versions of files that have been edited and saved over can be retrieved without permanent loss.
Typically most companies allow you to retrieve up to 10 previous versions of your files, though many are now offering unlimited versioning as well.
Basically, anything that gets deleted with Mozy – including previous file versions – gets stored for 30 days.
No matter how many times you edit a file, you can still retrieve the previous version for up to a month.
Rating: 4/5 – 30 day file versioning
Feature #5: Continuous Backup
When online backup services first started, it was pretty manual – you moved your file or uploaded it when you wanted it backed up.
Now most programs automatically back up everything on your hard drive or in designated folders – even as they’re edited – so that everything is always up to date in your backups.
This is known as continuous backup, and it’s how most programs work by default, including Mozy.
However, like with other programs, Mozy also allows you to schedule backups incrementally, so the program isn’t always running in the background.
Rating: 5/5 – Automatic backup
Feature #6: External Hard Drive Backup
While external hard drives are great for clearing space on your computer, they’re just as susceptible to the same dangers, such as physical damage or theft.
Most online backup services let you back up these backups again, moving them to their secure servers, just in case something happens to them.
With Mozy, you are at least allowed within the context of their user agreement to back up your external hard drive. Just keep in mind their tight storage limitations.
Rating: 5/5 – External hard drive backup included
Feature #7: File Sync
Another nice thing about backup services is that most of them give you access to your files on the go, and I mean all of them.
With file sync, anything you back up is accessible on any device you have linked to your account, typically via mobile apps.
The sheer convenience of this feature makes it a must for me, and Mozy’s got it, with file syncing across all mobile and desktop devices.
Rating: 5/5 – Access files anywhere
Feature #8: File Sharing
Since online backup services put all of your files in one place, and often give you access to them on the go, a lot of companies are now including a file sharing feature as well.
Social media is great for sharing your photos with the world.
If you’d rather keep things a bit more personal though, you can actually use a file sharing tool to create a folder with specific sharing parameters, and share the link to share the files.
The distribution of this feature is about a 50/50 split, and unfortunately, it’s not something Mozy is offering with their backup service at this time.
Rating: 0/5 – Can’t share files
Feature #9: Throttle Controls (Bandwidth)
A lot of people have issues with using online backup software because it can sometimes be a bit of a bandwidth hog.
No need to let your program run the show though – throttle controls let you decide how much the software gets, and allows you to speed up or slow things down based on your needs.
This awesome feature is pretty standard with most programs, so if they don’t have it, bail – plenty of others do, including Mozy.
Rating: 5/5 – You control bandwidth usage
Feature #10: Free Trial
There’s no better way to sell your product than to show everyone how great it is, and companies in online backup have caught onto that.
Most of them offer at least a 30 day trial, with many others offering unlimited terms, with a low file storage cap instead.
Mozy’s trial is available for an unlimited period of time to users, and allows up to 2 GB of storage space. You can even score more space by referring new customers to them.
Rating: 5/5 – Free trial never expires
How Secure Is It?
As celebrity photo leaks continue to make headlines, for a lot of people security and privacy are the number one concerns with using an online backup service.
While you have to put a certain amount of trust in a company to make sure your files are truly private, here are a few features to look for that can also indicate a sound backup system.
Feature #1: Geo Redundancy Backup
This feature has more to do with the physical security of your files than anything. One major threat to your backed up files are actually physical ones, like earthquakes and floods.
However, if your files are stored on servers in multiple locations, even if one data center goes down, you’re still in the clear.
Not many backup services are geo redundant – it’s expensive, and requires a lot more manpower to keep things running smoothly.
Mozy has several data centers equipped with the tightest preventative and security measures, from seismic bracing to biometric scanners. Yea, it’s like James Bond up in there.
Rating: 5/5 – High tech, geo redundant security
Feature #2: Data encryption
Most companies know the importance of protecting your information from hackers and thieves, and so they encrypt it.
From upload to storage, typically your files are kept encrypted to ensure that any internal data breeches don’t result in compromising the privacy of their customers.
Generally, most companies either use 128 or 256 bit encryption, the latter of which is military grade, and more secure.
Mozy uses 256 bit encryption, both as your files are being uploaded, and for the duration of their storage in their data centers.
Rating: 5/5 – Military grade two way encryption
Feature #3: User-Owned Encryption Key
For those that worry about someone else holding the keys to their encrypted files, a user owned encryption key is another nice feature to look for.
Be warned though, this security measure is so tight, that even the company can’t help you if you lose your key – your files will remain encrypted, and totally inaccessible.
Mozy allows their users the option of creating their own encryption key, so they can choose to put their security in their own hands.
There’s no doubt that this feature gives you some added peace of mind, just don’t lose that damn key.
Rating: 5/5 – Optional private key
Feature #4: Server Ownership and Third Party Involvement
Another thing to keep in mind is who actually owns and operates the servers where your files are stored. If it’s not the company you’re paying, then who secures your data?
How safe is your information, and who has access to it? This situation raises a lot of questions that you’re likely to have a hard time finding the answers to.
Play it safe and stick with a company that doesn’t employ any third parties to manage your data.
Typically companies that have a geo redundant backup system in place are able to do so by leasing someone else’s servers – this isn’t the case with Mozy.
Not only do they not employ any third parties, but they own and operate all of their facilities.
Rating: 5/5 – No third party involvement
Feature #5: Remote Wipe
If your device ever gets stolen, the thief is likely to wind up with tons of your personal information, and you could be out a lot more than your laptop.
This information can easily be used to empty your bank account and steal your identity.
Remote wipe is a feature that allows you to remotely erase all of the files are on your device if it’s ever stolen.
And of course, the best part is that since you used a backup service, none of them are actually lost, just totally inaccessible to the thief.
Unfortunately, Mozy doesn’t include a remote wipe feature with their personal online backup service.
Rating: 0/5 – No remote wipe
Is it Easy to Use?
Since not everyone has ever used an online backup program before, it’s important that whichever one you go with easy to use, and has a simple and intuitive design.
Sure, customer support is there if you really need them, but you shouldn’t.
Mozy is about as easy as it gets to use.
I wasn’t crazy about the over simplistic platform it presents at first (you’re not able to select individual files or folders for backup, it just does your whole system).
However, there’s no denying the simplicity of this program.
Once you set up an account with their website, you just verify, download the software package that’s compatible with your system, and sign in to the software.
From there, you can choose your encryption strength, where your backed up files are located, and begin syncing your entire system. Piece of cake.
Rating: 4/5 – Very straightforward process
What If I Need Help?
You may be looking for file backup, but what you’re really looking for is the total package – a reliable company, with customer service you can count on.
In the end, you’re really not going to know how reliable a team is until you try them out, but here are a few things that may be good indicators of great customer support.
24/7 Support?
For one thing, can you reach them any time, day or night?
Technical problems don’t pick convenient times to happen, so when you need assistance, it can’t matter that it’s on a Saturday night – you need help, and you need it now.
Not many online backup services come with 24/7 support, so it’s pretty cool that Mozy does – you can reach them any day of the year, at any time, and it’s as simple as that.
Rating: 5/5 – Round the clock support
Channels
Typically most customer support teams offer your basic e-mail support at the very least, but ideally you want them to offer at least one live option as well – either live chat or phone support.
Mozy offers support via an e-mail ticketing system, and a live chat feature on their website. (Just a heads up though – their support is only for paying customers.)
Rating: 4/5 – Live chat and e-mail support
How Much Does Mozy Cost?
With the rising demand for online services like these, prices continue to get crazy competitive, and it’s amazing what you can get these days for so little.
Most plans are around $5 per month or $50 per year, and include a broad range of features for every user, so I’d try to shoot for an option somewhere in that range.
Mozy’s pricing isn’t bad – just $6 per month for one computer to start. The thing is though, you have to constantly pay more to get more, including data storage.
Whereas there are a few companies that actually have plans priced at $5 per month with unlimited storage, this one charges $2 per extra GB, and that adds up fast.
Overall, Mozy isn’t expensive, there are just better deals to be had.
Rating: 3/5 – A bit pricey for what you get
Conclusion
Okay, so we covered quite a few topics here – let’s wrap things up and see how Mozy did as we raked them over the coals.
Pros:
- compatible with most operating systems
- mobile apps for Android and iOS
- can back up photos on mobile devices
- no file restrictions
- includes external hard drive backup
- continuous backup with options
- file syncing
- bandwidth throttle controls
- free trial that never expires
- 30 day file recovery
- 30 day file versioning
- geo redundant backup
- military grade encryption
- optional private encryption key
- no third party involvement
- 24/7 customer support
- live chat and e-mail assistance available
Cons:
- not compatible with Linux
- only backs up mobile photos
- very limited storage space
- no file sharing options
- no remote wipe feature
- no customer support for free version
- pricing model nickel and dimes you
Overall Score: 79/100
Mozy really falls short when it comes to storage space – their pricing model can make it get expensive fast for users that need a lot of room.
However, I feel like a part of the reason their prices may be a bit on the high side is because of their highly secure, geo redundant data centers.
There’s no doubt that running that part of the business isn’t cheap.
In the end, it all comes down to what you want out of your backup service, and in Mozy’s case, is it space or security?
To get Mozy, sign up here: MozyHome
To see the highest rated Online Backup Service that scored a 93/100, go here: IDrive Online Backup
