You have it away you should back up your data . But whether it ’s the price , the setup , or the hassle of swapping discs or shuttling around hard drives , most of us discover a million exculpation not to get the job done . So would n’t it be dandy if you could press a few buttons and ensure that your datum was indorse up regularly ? Thanks to a newfangled stock of online service , it ’s potential to copy files over the Internet easily and affordably , keep your datum secure at an off - site location .
Weigh the pros and cons
Why copy your files over the net to far-off server ? For one thing , you do n’t have to take with additional computer hardware or mass medium — you but take reward of the online religious service ’s hardware . In many face , you may just install some software , configure it , and get it run in the background . It ’s also easy to back up from the route without make to drag an extraneous driving along — provided you have a flying net connexion .
One of the big advantages of backing up online is rubber . Because file cabinet are stack away elsewhere , they ’re protected even if your equipment gets steal or your office or sign burns down . Plus , most help offer encryption ( see “ Safe and Secure ” ) .
There are downsides , however . If your cyberspace connection falters , or if the online avail has host problems , you could be stuck without accession to your information . Also , if you have a computer meltdown , you wo n’t be able-bodied to bring up up your computer from an on-line backup . If you want a bootable duplicate of your laborious platter , you ’ll still need an outside hard drive and software program such as Shirt Pocket ’s $ 28 SuperDuper 2.1.4 ( ) or Bombich Software ’s freeCarbon Copy Cloner 3 . ( SeeEasy Mac Backupsfor instructions . )
By far the swelled drawback of online accompaniment is f number . Even if you have a quick broadband connexion , backing up your information online will be much dumb than backing up to a local hard drive or a host on your local mesh . In fact , depending on the amount of data you have , your first full online backup could take several days or even aweekto complete . You ’d only have to meet through that once , of path , since subsequent backups would replicate only raw or changed files . And you could also be choosy about what you backed up . Still , you will desire to carefully consider whether you have too much critical data to make online backups practical . ( To estimate how long it would take you , see “ Check Your Speed Limit . ” )
Find the right service
Some on-line services are tailor to backup ; others are intended for Indian file communion but also can be used for backups . What makes the biggest difference to most people , however , is how data file are uploaded .
Access via the WebSeveral Robert William Service , such as Box.net and myDataBus , pop the question computer storage distance that you could access only from a entanglement internet browser . These services are designed with filing cabinet communion , rather than backup , in intellect . you’re able to get to your files from any computer without installing special computer software , but you ’ll have to upload files manually . Still , if you need to back up only a few filing cabinet , these service could be good alternative .
approach as a VolumeSome service let you mount on-line storage space in the Finder as a web volume — just as you would a compact disk or an external difficult drive . For case , Jungle Disk habituate Amazon.com ’s S3 overhaul and includes a Mac client for mount up the storage volume . Omnidrive also bid its own Mac customer , while BingoDisk uses the WebDAV banner , which enables you to mount a volume by visit the Finder ’s Go menu , select Connect To Server , and infix the server ’s universal resource locator .
Once the mass is mounted , you could access it using your favorite backup program — such as Prosoft ’s $ 59Data Backup 3or EMC Insignia ’s $ 129 Retrospect Desktop 6.1 ( ) . you could schedule automatise reliever using all of your backup program ’s feature of speech , but you might need to do some fiddling to get the piece to work together .
military service with SoftwareI think the good option is a service that includes its own backup software . Since everything is integrated , such a organization is easier to set up and maintain . My darling are CrashPlan , Mozy , and Steekup . All extend software system that permit you schedule automatic backups ; CrashPlan and Mozy go a footfall further by include the selection to back up only Modern or changed files throughout the Clarence Day . ( In Mozy , go to Mozy : Preferences , tap Scheduling , and choose Perform Backups Automatically . In CrashPlan , select options in the left bill of fare , pick out the Advanced chit , and enter a time in the Back Up Changed Files After field . ) All three encrypt your data for prophylactic and compress it , which means you may typically squelch more into your store blank .
CrashPlan charges for its software system . But it does let you back up to a 2d Mac , or even to a friend ’s computer over the Internet , without purchasing an extra written matter of the software package . Steekup and Mozy include free software package , though at crush prison term Mozy ’s Mac practical software was still in beta and had some harsh edges . ( For instance , it ca n’t yet back up files that are open or locked . )
Apple ’s .MacOne seemingly obvious alternative for online backup is Apple ’s $ 100 per yr .Mac service , which include on-line computer storage place and the party ’s easy - to - utilization Backup computer software ( ) . Your storage space — oriDisk — mounts as a volume on your desktop . You get 10 GB of storage , which must be shared by e - mail messages , shared photos and video , Web sites , reliever , and any other files you wish to store online . For an additional $ 100 a yr , you’re able to upgrade to 30 GB .
unluckily , 10 GB is too paltry to back up a distinctive iPhoto or iTunes library , to say nothing of the rest of your files . If you ’re thinking about using it just for backup , .Mac is n’t the brassy service of process either . But it ’s deserving considering if you ’re already a member and just require to salve copies of certain decisive pieces of data .
Tweak your backups
These peak should serve you annul common pitfall once you ’re quick to give online backups a whirl . I ’ll utilise my favorites — CrashPlan , Mozy , and Steekup — to instance .
Pare DownBecause Internet relief are tiresome , be picky about what you transfer . The logical start point is your exploiter folder . But depending on the size of that folder , and the fastness of your cyberspace connection , you may need to back up just its irreplaceable items .
So how much of your user folder should you back up ? Calculate the number of GB your broadband connexion is able of uploading per time of day ( see “ Check Your Speed Limit ” to find out how ) . separate the sizing of your drug user folder by this number to approximate how long it will take to copy . For instance , if your user brochure is 5 GB and your upload speed is 768 Kbps ( which means you ’re uploading about one - third of a gibibyte per hr ) , it should take about 15 hour to perform your first full stand-in . File contraction should reduce this clock time , but because so many variable arrive into play , it ’s expert to keep your appraisal on the pessimistic side . I suggest limiting the amount of file cabinet so that a full championship does not outperform a week . Remember : subsequent backups will gomuchfaster , since you ’ll be copying only new or modified data .
Limit File VersionsCrashPlan and Steekup permit you delineate how many versions of each file to archive . Limit this number ( to , say , five or ten ) to aid keep storage cost down . In CrashPlan , select the preferences choice in the left menu , and then fall into place on the General tab . pick out the # Of adaptation To Keep For A File pick and fill in a number ( see “ One File , Many Versions ” ) .
In Steekup , flick on the Configuration tab key and select Number Of Versions from the Configuration preferences menu . take a number from the pop - up menu and select Submit . Mozy does n’t currently let you restrict file versions , but since it gives you outright computer storage , that ’s no big spate .
catch BandwidthMost online backup programs upload file at the maximal focal ratio your Internet connection can handle . But when you ’re using your Mac , you may want to uphold some bandwidth for other undertaking , such as sending e - chain armour . To keep annoying slowdowns , check that to localise your backup software tothrottle — in other words , to mechanically adjust — its bandwidth employment .
In CrashPlan , tap the options link and then the Advanced yellow journalism . From the Bandwidth Limit When Present pop - up fare , choose a maximum data rate ; this should restrict the bandwidth assignation when the reckoner is in use . In Mozy , go to the Preferences windowpane ( Mozy : Preferences ) and chatter on the Performance push . Under Bandwidth Throttling , move the slider until you hit the bandwidth number you want . Select Always Throttle to practice that figure at all times ; tap Throttle Between and come in specific time if you need Mozy to pull back on upper during set hours .
Steekup does n’t currently offer bandwidth throttling , but you could work around this by schedule subsequent backup to take place when you ’re not using your computer . To do this , select the Configuration check , dawn on Scheduling , and specialise times for your backups .
Test RestoresIt ’s wise to sporadically check that data file are being backed up correctly . I commend doing this after your first full backup and every few calendar week thereafter . To do so , select a few random files from the server and doctor them back to your phonograph record .
In CrashPlan , snap on the Restore option in the left menu . In Steekup , choose the Data tab , and then snap on the Restoration button . In Mozy , pick out Restore Files from the M menu in your menu bar . ( If you do n’t see the fare , enable it via Mozy : Preferences . )
Restore the file to a different location from the master copy . Once they ’re downloaded , get to the files and compare them with the I on your hard disc . If they appear to be corrupted , or if you ca n’t restore them , get in touch with the party ’s tech - support staff . Remember : it ’s always good to incur out that there ’s a problem with your backupsbeforea crisis happen .
One File , Many Versions : CrashPlan can store multiple versions of each filing cabinet , so you may go back to an older transcript if require .
Check your speed limit
Copying files over the cyberspace can take a retentive time . By figure out exactly how long , you ’ll love whether your best grade of activeness is to confine the data file you back up , shop for a quick broadband connection , or ditch your on-line backup programme on the whole .
Most broadband connections provide dense upload speeds than download speeds . With musical accompaniment , you ’re mostly interested in the upload speed . ( Download stop number use when you ’re restoring files , which you hope not to have to do very often . ) But do n’t trust your ISP ’s claims : literal throughput often fall below that numeral . To get a more true thought of your connection focal ratio , check it using a service such asSpeakeasyorSpeedtest.net .
Once you know your true upload speed ( usually expressed in kilobits per second ) , separate it by 2,276 to figure out roughly how many gigabytes per hour you could transplant ( see “ Test Your speeding ” ) . For example , if your upload throughput is 768 Kbps , that signify you could back up about one - third of a gigabyte per hour . In that case , if you have a 500 GB driving that ’s fill up to the brim with decisive data , online backups may not operate well for you .
Safe and secure
Most inspection and repair that render Mac - compatible on-line backup software offer encoding that in most cases you could n’t reverse off even if you want to . inscribe your filing cabinet ensure that they ca n’t be show by anyone without a password — including someone intercept your Wi - Fi signaling as you back up data file in a café .
However , if someone discovers your password , all bets are off . Therefore , prefer a secure password for your online musical accompaniment , hold it carefully , and change it periodically . ( See our late report on choosing secure passwords . )
[ Joe Kissell is the elderly editor ofTidBitsand the author of the e - bookTake Control of Mac OS X Backups(TidBits Publishing , 2007 ) . ]
Test Your focal ratio : A broadband hurrying test , such as Speedtest.net , can state you what upload and download speeds to ask .
