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The Search for a Free Auto-Online Backup Service
Nikhil Rastogi, Sep 13, 2009 0900 hrs ISTWe look at how to automatically backup precious data online at zero cost
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A friend of mine just lost a lot of important data in a hard drive crash, and no, he hadn't backed up his data at all. Isn't that the case with most of us? We take our computers for granted so much that we forget that things change around us all the time. Well after the bitter experience of losing his important office files with bills, etc. he asked for a better way to go about computing.
Well, the most obvious way that I told him was to backup manually by burning CDs or to copy it on to another hard drive. But that was still too manual for him. In spite of an auto backup option to copy files from one hard drive to another, he still wasn't convinced that that's the way to go.
There's no completely foolproof way, but he had certain limitations which he placed before me.
1. It had to be automated backup; set it up and forget it
2. Should be easy to use
3. Should be accessible from anywhere
4. Should be free
That's a tall list, especially the last one, but I was convinced that I could find something, and thus began my search.
Note -"Should be accessible from anywhere" equals, in technical terms, "off-site backup". Meaning, your data's copy is sitting somewhere other than just where you live and work. Therefore ensuring that your backed up data doesn't get incinerated with an accidental fire at office.
I instantly searched online for a solution and am happy to note that there are many to choose from. Here's the best out of the lot.
iDrive
This is the oldest backup service in operation since 1997. It is also the best as far as my friend is concerned. iDrive gives 2GB free space to backup on with a small downloadable installer that can schedule a sync with its own online server. This service is best for those who want the perfect "Set it and forget it" solution. It takes the pain out of the backups and the effort to remember to do it at the same time. Of course the free 2GB space may seem peanuts but is good enough for those wanting to just backup office word documents, excel sheets or PowerPoint presentations. If its space you want, iDrive also offers 10 GB free for those willing to give up 5 email addresses of people you know. You can also get 10 GB by advertising with iDrive banners/widgets.
iDrive does not claim to have a limitation of per file upload/backup, but most services do. However, unless you are trying to backup huge videos or print files, I don't think you'll need big backups. And if you are indeed looking for huge chunks of files to backup, then internet backup isn't for you.
iDrive also allows a very useful web interface that allows one to browse one's file without the need to use the downloaded app or syncing. Some of you may be rolling you eyes over, but you'll be surprised to know that not all backup solutions allow that.
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