Anurag Engineering College

1. INTRODUCTION
Online data storage, also known as Internet data storage, is a technology which allows people to
store their data in the Internet. With broadband speeds becoming faster and bandwidth pricing
dropping every year, more people are interested in purchasing online data storage. Online data
storage not only provides an additional flexible source for storing data but also acts as a backup
mechanism and provides an effective method of sharing data with others.

This is the reason why Internet data storage is increasingly popular even as the costs of physical
local storage devices - such as hard drives, CD-R, and tape backups - are coming down by the
day. Another advantage of online data storage is that it is easy to expand. Whenever you reach
the maximum capacity limit, you can simply purchase additional space for storage. There is no
need for you to purchase and install additional storage hardware.

1.1WHAT IS ONLINE DATA STORAGE?

More businesses and individuals are making good use of online data storage backup as the means
of protecting their most important files of data.

You may use it for something as simple as sharing electronic vacation photos with family
members, or if you are a small business, you can provide password-protected access to business
files to partners or customers.

Online data storage also allows the user to access data from any location that has internet access.
With the availability of internet cafes worldwide, you can access your data from almost
anywhere.

One of the greatest advantages however, is backup. Unfortunately, conducting regular backups is
one of those things everybody recommends, but few people actually do. And when a backup is
done, more often than not, the backup data is stored in the same place as the computer. In the
event of a disaster, both the computer and the backup could easily be lost.

Online data storage services should be secure, and password-protected. Some prefer to add an
extra measure of security by providing users with a password token, which generates a password

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that is used only once and then discarded. It is typically very easy to use, and provides an easy,
web-based interface from which to work. And of course, it can be accessed from any computer in
the world, so long as you are able to authenticate into the system.

There are different levels of online data storage. For non-sensitive data, basic storage and access
is adequate. If sensitive data is being stored, additional security may be required, such
as encryption, or two-factor authentication. Even though data is being transmitted across the
internet, strong encryption technologies will make sure the data stays private.

For organizations engaged in heavy data processing, live offsite data storage will provide real-
time backup. In this strategy, transactions are posted simultaneously to your main computers, and
to the backup site.

In the event of lost files, recovery is easy, usually requiring only a few mouse clicks. In the event
a large number of files have been lost, the data storage operator will usually provide the option of
shipping the data on a CD to the customer.

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2. TYPES OF STORAGE SOLUTIONS

There are two types of storage solutions available today: onsite and online, a.k.a. offsite. Onsite
data storage usually refers to the storage of your information on local servers, hard drives,
external hard drives, including thumb drives, USB/FireWire drives, CDs, and DVDs. In contrast,
online data storage is a term that is used to refer to any and all file hosting services on the
Internet. These services typically store massive amounts of data on huge servers that are housed
in one or more data centers.

Both onsite and online storage solutions have their advantages and disadvantages. For many
people, speed is a major concern, since they need to be able to back up their data efficiently and
without interruption. A great advantage of onsite storage solutions, provided a local server or
hard drive is being used, is the speed. Any time data is transferred over a local network or
through a USB or FireWire connection, data transfer rates are typically very high, and there is
very little reason for the connection to be interrupted or slowed. This is not always the case with
online storage services. The speed of a data transfer, whether it is an upload or a download, will
always depend upon the Internet connection at your location as well as the amount of traffic the
file hosting service is currently experiencing. A connectivity problem on the user’s side or on the
host’s side will prevent data transfers and will even interrupt downloads and uploads while they
are in progress. However, many online services do have excellent records of 99.9% uptime.

When it comes to security, online storage solutions tend to be more favorable than onsite
solutions. Many people worry that their data may be intercepted during a file upload or
download. Fortunately, data is encrypted for security purposes during both downloads and
uploads, which makes it very difficult for outsiders to steal any information. Other great security
advantages of storing data online is that it is not susceptible to being lost due to any disasters that
occur in your home or place of work, and your data cannot easily be stolen. Unfortunately,
storing data onsite on CDs, DVDs, or external hard drives makes it very easy for anyone to
simply walk off with all of your important data.

One of the leading causes of data corruption and loss is experiencing a hardware failure or
malfunction. Unfortunately, a computer or an external hard drive can malfunction at any time,

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but this risk greatly declines when professionals are continuously monitoring such hardware and
the data is backed up on multiple servers. For most companies and individuals, constantly
monitoring hardware is impossible due to the man hours and knowledge required to carry out the
necessary checks. When data is stored at a well maintained data center, there is a much lower
risk of losing files and folders due to a malfunction, since a team of professionals will be
maintaining all of the data servers at all times. Additionally, onsite data storage devices are
susceptible to being attacked by viruses that are on your computer or your local network, while
online storage services are not.

The manner in which data is accessed via onsite and online storage solutions differs greatly, and
in many regards, online storage solutions have the upper hand. When using an external hard
drive, CD, or a local server for data storage, data cannot easily be accessed anywhere and
everywhere, nor can it easily be shared with others. In order to upload or download data to a hard
drive or a disk, the device must be connected to the computer and it typically can only be used by
one computer at a time. Online storage services make it possible for users to upload and
download information anywhere there is an Internet connection. Data can easily be shared via
shared user logins or by providing others with links to the files. The downside, however, is that
your access is not always guaranteed, since an Internet outage can occur, and you may
experience slow uploads and downloads, depending on site traffic and your connection speeds.

As the amount of stored data grows, it is necessary to utilize a flexible storage service that can
continuously meet a user’s needs. When using storage devices, once the data has exceeded the
device’s storage capabilities, a new device must be purchased. This can lead to gaps in backed up
data, since a user may not have another storage device on hand immediately. Additionally, it can
be quite inconvenient to search through multiple storage devices when trying to locate a file.
Online storage services, on the other hand, typically allow subscribers to purchase and access
extra storage space within a number of minutes. Since the data is stored in the same virtual
location as other files, searching for files is much easier than searching for files that are spread
out amongst multiple storage devices.

For most individuals and some businesses, cost will be a major factor in deciding whether to
utilize an onsite or online storage solution. A great advantage of onsite storage is that the user

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only incurs a onetime cost that is associated with purchasing the necessary hard drives and other
storage media. Nowadays, the cost of such media is incredibly low - an external hard drive that
can hold a terabyte of data can be purchased for well under $100, for example - and there is a
good chance that the prices of devices with extremely large storage capabilities will continue to
decrease. Online storage services, on the other hand, typically charge users monthly fees based
upon the amount of storage space that is required. However, there are some services that allow
users to upload small amounts of data for free.

2.1 How to Choose Between Onsite and Online Storage

Many people think that onsite storage devices are adequate for meeting their needs. However, it
is important for both individuals and businesses to fully consider using both onsite and online
storage devices, since there are very few people who can safely say that an onsite storage device
alone is able to meet their needs. If a person can confidently say that they would not be impacted
in any way by the loss of their data, they will be served well by only onsite storage devices.
Similarly, if a person can confidently say that having an interrupted connection to their stored
data will not impact them negatively, then it is possible to only consider an online storage
service.

For both individuals and businesses, using online services in conjunction with onsite devices is
the best way to ensure that all of the data is secure and accessible. Online storage provides users
with the peace of mind that the data will remain intact in any event, including local hardware
malfunctions, accidental deletions, thefts, and disasters, while onsite storage provides a quick
and easy method for storing and accessing data at any time, regardless of any Internet connection
issues. Additionally, online storage is the perfect solution for anyone who needs to access their
data from multiple locations or share it with others within an instant.

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3. POPULAR ONLINE STORAGE SERVICE FEATURES

 Automatic desktop synchronization - Set a specific data and time at which the service
will automatically back up all of the data on your computer, or data that is located within
specific folders. Syncs can be performed daily, weekly, or on any other desired interval,
though daily syncs are recommended.
 256-bit SSL encryption - Keeps passwords, login names, file uploads, and downloads
secure via enhanced encryption. This can also lead to faster upload and download times,
since ISPs typically do not bottleneck or throttle 256-bit SSL encrypted data because it is
normally used to transfer highly sensitive information, including financial information,
passwords, and credit card details.
 Password protection - Data can only be accessed when the correct password is entered
into the website. Passwords can be reset at any time, and some services will also allow
you to regularly reset the password according to a specified interval of time.
 Self-defined navigational trees - Create menus and organize every file into user-defined
menus and submenus. There is usually no limit on the number of folders that can be
created or the number of files that can be placed within each folder. However, there may
be limits on the size of the data that can be stored in a single folder or a maximum file
size may be given.
 Text-based search engine - Search for any file, regardless of the filetype, and folder by
typing in necessary keywords or the title. Some online storage services limit access to
this feature to only their higher paying or business subscribers.
 Personal website - Store every file in a personal website that can be set to private access
only or shared with certain people. All data is accessed through the personalized website,
making it easier to organize and share data.
 Branding - Add a company logo and color scheme to your storage site. It may also be
possible to add custom links to outside pages, including your company’s website.
 Shared links - Create a link with a single click to any file or folder that is stored online.
Links can be emailed, posted to other websites, or sent to others via communication
methods provided by the online storage service provider.

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 Permissions - Set sharing permissions for all stored data. All files and folders can be
specified as being editable or view only for specified users. Some services also make it
possible to specify exactly what data is shared with each of the site’s users.
 File previews - Preview a file before downloading it to your desktop. A variety of
filetypes, including DOC, JPEG, GIF, PDF, PPT, and XLS are typically supported.
Certain filetypes, such as Mac OS X specific filetypes, including PAGES, may not be
available for auto previews.
 Online file editing - View and edit files without having to leave your browser or
download a thing. Several document and spreadsheet filetypes are typically supported.
 Publish data to the Web - Turn stored folders into public Web pages that can be
accessed by anyone without the need for a password or any special permissions.
 Multiple user uploads - Allow other people to submit files to your account for storage.
 File version history - Store a version of every single file as it changes over time, making
it possible to access and revert to older versions of any and every stored file.
 Permanent storage - Never delete another file again, so you can easily recover data that
was accidentally deleted from your local storage devices.
 Public discussions - Create and manage discussion threads pertaining to shared files.
This feature is useful for subscribers who share data and require project management
tools.
 Instant alerts - Receive an email alert any time a file is uploaded, downloaded, or
modified by another member.
 Mobile access - Access all of your stored files and folders via a mobile device, such as a
smartphone, via a tailored app.
 Third-party software integration - Use your files with other types of software and
services, including Gmail, FedEx, Twitter, and Zoho. It may also be possible to access
data through third-party websites, like Google Apps, Salesforce.com, and Intuit
QuickBase.

3.1Cost of online storage solutions

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The cost of online storage services is typically quite similar amongst competitors and in most
cases, it is highly affordable. The costs are usually charged at monthly or annual rates, and some
companies offer price breaks to subscribers who pay for each year upfront. There are also a
number of services that allow subscribers to store and access their data for free. However, such
services typically limit data storage to 5 GB or less and do not provide users with access to the
full suite of features, which may be quite inconvenient for business customers and people who
wish to manage projects through file sharing.

Many online services charge around $40 to $55 per year in order to store up to 150 GB of data
and between $135 and $190 per year to store up to 500 GB of data. Some services also place
additional limitations on file uploads by specifying a maximum file size of 2 GB, which makes it
incredibly difficult to back up large movie files. However, there are some online backup services
that allow users to store an unlimited amount of data for as little as $55 per year with no
additional or hidden fees for services. These unlimited services are generally stripped down in
terms of features, but are very useful for anyone who needs to store massive amounts of data on
a tight budget.

3.2 How to choose the right online solution

Choosing the right online solution for your needs can be incredibly daunting, especially since
you are storing highly sensitive and important data that cannot be compromised under any
circumstances. Fortunately, the decision making process is a lot easier when you know which
features to look out for, including:

 Security - Never subscribe to any online storage service unless you know how they
protect your data while it is being uploaded, downloaded, and stored. Many companies
will utilize 128-bit SSL encryption, which is an industry standard. However, 256-bit SSL
encryption is better and 448-bit Blowfish encryption is also suitable. If a storage
company does not advertise how they keep your data safe, be sure to contact them and
find out before using their services.

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 Compatibility - Some services may require you to download additional software to your
computer in order to run regular backup routines. This software may not be compatible
with all operating systems.
 Automatic daily backups - Backing up your data on a daily basis guarantees that your
data will always be safely stored. Additional backup options should include an automated
backup being created any time a file is modified and saved locally. Also, data should
ideally be backed up several times across multiple servers at the company’s data centers.
 Reliability - There are a number of services that provide a 99.9% service uptime
guarantee. This means that you will be able to access your data 99.9% of the time,
provided your Internet connection is working. Be sure to select a company that offers
such a guarantee as well as a money back guarantee in the event that they do not meet
their advertised uptime standards.
 History - Choosing a long-standing company can help safeguard your data from being
lost due to a company going out of business. Companies that have proven their worth by
sticking around for a number of years are more likely to stay in business and you can rest
assured that their experience will provide you with a better level of service and security.
 24/7 customer service - Having access to a customer service representative around the
clock will guarantee that you have access to the technical help you need right when you
need it.
 Location - Find out where the company’s data center is located. Typically, it should be
located at least 50 to 100 miles from your location. This will prevent your backed up data
from being affected by local disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes.
 Storage space - If you have a large amount of data to store and expect it to grow rapidly,
an unlimited service will be ideal. Choosing an unlimited service may also provide great
cost savings. A general rule of thumb for all online service subscribers is to choose a plan
that offers more space than is currently needed. This will help ensure that the amount of
allotted storage space is not quickly outgrown. It is always important to also pay attention
to maximum allowed file sizes.
 File versioning - To safeguard against accidental file deletions and file overwrites, a
service that provides access to previous versions of files should be chosen. Be sure to

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check how many versions are made available by each service or if a time limit is placed
upon each file.
 Cost - Always evaluate your finances prior to choosing a storage service. Selecting a
service that you are not able to afford in the long run may lead to having to transfer all of
your backed up data to another provider on short notice. This process can be very timely
and if it is not completed on time, some data may be lost.
 Collaborative tools - Business customers and people who are looking to integrate file
sharing tools within their projects may be better served by choosing a service that offers a
variety of collaboration tools. Some useful tools include shared Web pages, discussion
boards, link sharing, and email notifications.

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4. EXAMPLE OF ONLINE DATA STORAGE

4.1 4shared

4shared - free file sharing service allow you to upload, share, search, download video, music,
photos, and documents in a matter of few clicks. 4shared gives you 15GB storage space for free
to store and share any files you need with your friends. Windows, Linux, and Mac operation
system support share any of your files in a couple of minutes for free!Files can be shared with
anyone, including unregistered 4shared members, by providing them with a simple web-based
link to shared files. Use a handy 4shared email service to send a sharing link. Simply specify
email addresses of the people you are going to share files with and choose the files.

How it works

It is simple process in order to store our data we have to register with this website registration is
the simple process we have to register by giving them username; password, email id then we
need to click the register button.

Features of 4shared

File sharing

4shared - free file sharing service allow you to upload, share, search, download video, music,
photos, documents in a matter of few clicks. 4shared gives you 15GB storage space for free to
store and share any files you need with your friends. Windows, Linux, and Mac operation system
support share any of your files in a couple of minutes for free!Files can be shared with anyone,
including unregistered 4shared members, by providing them with a simple web-based link to
shared files.

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Download accelerators can be used multiple file uploading

 File upload progress bar

 Anonymous file uploading
 File sharing with different access levels
 Resume interrupted transfers
 Detailed file and account statistics
 Changing file description
 Automated thumbnails
 Photo album
 Web Grab for uploading files from the web
 Direct downloading link or embedding a file on your web page
 Zip Preview allows viewing content of a Zip file
 Zip files online
 Multiple file downloading
 Play music files
 Edit text files
 Search function

Multiple Albums

Create an unlimited number of photo albums.

Automated Thumbnails

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Upload your digital photos, and image thumbnails will be created automatically.

Share Photos or Albums

Sharing your photos with family and friends is easy with 4shared. Just copy and send them a link
to show the way to your Album.

Photo Community

Invite people to upload photos using 4shared service, create your own photo albums, or enjoy
photos others shared with you. Protect your photo album with a password.

Download Counts

Find out how many times your full size photo was viewed, and when it was last downloaded

Document management

Share Documents:

Posting a document to 4shared is as easy as attaching it to an email message. To share your

document with colleagues, business partners, or clients, just browse for the document on your
computer and upload it on 4shared. Share your documents of any type and size, paying no
attention to the email size limitation or firewalls.

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Organize Document Folder:

Organize your projects by creating a folder structure that reflects the way your team works. At
the office, on the road, or at home, team members can easily access the latest versions of the
documents.

Statistics:

Find out how many times your documents have been viewed and when they were last
downloaded.

Video sharing

Create a DVD Collection

Upload as many movies as you want and create an unlimited number of video collections.

Stream Your Video

Manage and play your stored video files within your online account without downloading them.

Share Movies

Sharing your video collection with family and friends is easy with 4shared. Just provide them
with a link to your video library.

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Video Community

Invite other people to upload movies, music video, films, and clips and create their own video
library with 4shared. Protect your library with a password.

Download Counts

See how many times your movie has been viewed and when it was last downloaded.

Music sharing
 

Make an Album

Upload as many songs as you want and create an unlimited number of music albums.

Share Music

4shared provides you with a handy service to share your music collection with your family and
friends. Invite them to listen to shared music by emailing them a link to your music collection.

Tell a Friend

Email an invitation to your friends to listen to music by using a handy 4shared email tool.

Stream Your Music

Manage and play your stored music files online without downloading them.

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5. POPULAR ONLINE STORAGE SOLUTIONS

5.1 Box.net

Box - Box is an online storage option that has been available since 2005. Due to its robust set of
features, which range from individual storage options to collaborative tools, it has become an
industry leader and has even attracted many famous subscribers, including MTV, Dell, ESPN,
and DirecTV.

Box offers a number of plans that are suitable for individuals and larger companies. For home
use, the Personal plan is available for free for the first 5 GB of stored data. After the first 5 GB
have been used, a charge of $9.99 per user per month will be applied to up to 25 GB and a cost
of $19.99 per user per month will be applied to up 50 GB of storage space. Additionally, file
sizes may not exceed 25 MB on the free plan and 1 GB on paid plans. This plan provides users
with access to their files from anywhere and it is also possible to share links to files with others.
However, the features that are available to Personal plan users are highly limited.

The Business plan is aimed at small offices and project groups and provides users with 500 GB
of storage space. However, the maximum file size is capped at 2 GB, which may make it difficult
for filmmakers to store uncompressed movies. The Business plan costs $15 per user per month
and a free trial is available. Business plan users will have access to most of the available tools
and features, but their advanced administrative and security controls are highly limited, making
this plan unsuitable for any organization that requires a high level of security and control over
their files.

The most robust plan available from Box is the Enterprise plan, which is priced at $35 per user
per month. This plan provides subscribers with access to every available feature as well as an
unlimited amount of data storage. However, the cap on file sizes still remains at 2 GB, which

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makes this plan unsuitable for any organization that needs to store large files without
compressing them. A free trial is available by contacting the company via phone.

Unfortunately, security controls and options are very limited for Personal users. Business and
Enterprise subscribers, however, are offered 256-bit SSL encryption during file transfers, the
ability to select which users are able to access files through the main software interface, and the
option to password protect specific files and folders. Account administrators also have access to
a wide range of reporting features, which allows them to see who has been logging into the
system and what has been happening to all of the stored files. Sadly, only Enterprise users are
offered 256-bit SSL encryption while files are at rest on servers in the Box data centers.

Another limitation for Personal account subscribers is that they will not have access to version
histories for their files. This means that these subscribers can only access the most recent
versions of their files. However, Business and Enterprise users do have full access to all versions
of their files, even after changes have been made and saved.

For groups of people who are looking to collaborate online and quickly share files, Box offers a
wealth of features that are quite similar to project management software tools. Some of these
features include the ability to create a personalized Web page that allows you to organize all of
your files and folders into user-defined tree structures, the ability to publicly share an entire
folder, and the option to create a shared workspace where files can be viewed, edited, and added
to by other group members. When sharing content, members are also able to comment upon
different files, create open discussions, and create and assign tasks as well as their due dates.
Folder permissions can also be set to control which users are able to access the various folders.

A great benefit of using Box is that it allows users to integrate with third-party services, which
can make file sharing and transferring much easier. Some of the third-party software Box can
currently integrate with include eFax, Twitter, Gmail, Google Analytics, and Salesforce.com.
Additionally, there is a Box app available for the iPhone, iPad, and the Android operating
system, allowing subscribers to access their data with ease when they are on the go using a
smartphone.

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No matter which plan you have subscribed to, you can rest assured that your data has been
backed up multiple times. Box backs up every single bit of data on backup servers in other
facilities that are not located in the same geographical location as the original servers. This
means that your data has enhanced protection from being damaged due to disasters. Additionally,
the provide a 99.9% uptime guarantee, meaning that you should almost always have reliable
access to your files and folders.

Ultimately, Box will be most suitable for users who are looking for collaborative features and are
willing to fork out the cash per user for the monthly Business or Enterprise fees. However, this
service will not be suitable for users who are looking for a service which allows them to schedule
automatic system backups, and any home users who are looking for the best security for their
files will not be satisfied with Personal plans. This service, however, does have a very user-
friendly interface that is stripped down to the essential features, making it easy for all kinds of
users to get along with.

5.2 Carbonite

Carbonite - Founded in 2006, Carbonite offers solutions for both home users and professionals
who are looking to keep all of their files backed up. Carbonite is free to try, and the company
claims that almost 70% of their trial members go onto subscribing for their services, which is an
astonishing success rate. 

Carbonite offers a single plan, which is unlimited storage at a flat price. However, it is possible
to save a small amount of money by signing up for multi-year plans. For example, a one year
plan costs $54.95 per computer, while a two year plan costs $99.95 per computer, and a three
year plan costs only $129.95 per computer. Depending upon which plan you choose, you can
save anywhere from roughly $9 to $35.

In order to use Carbonite, the Carbonite application must be installed on your computer.
Currently, this software is compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. It is

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also compatible with Intel-based Macs running OS X 10.4 and above. The only other
requirement for being able to use Carbonite is to have high speed Internet access, such as
Broadband speed Internet.

Once Carbonite is installed, it can be used to automatically back up many different filetypes on a
computer and backups can be scheduled to occur daily, on a certain day, or every hour.
Currently, the software supports all kinds of photo, document, email, and music files. It will not
create automatic backups of temporary files, system files, or software applications, but video
files, executable files, and files larger than 4 GB can be backed up manually.

A great advantage of installing Carbonite is that it creates automatic backups of most filetypes
that are stored on your machine. It will also create backups of files that have been modified. This
makes this service a great choice for anyone who does not have the time to back up their data
manually. However, this process can only be carried out while the computer is connected to the
Internet.

The user interface for Carbonite is extremely easy to use, which is partly due to the fact that this
software has been designed to do only one thing, which is to back up your data. The main
interface makes it easy to find out when your files were backed up, how many files were stored,
and how many files have yet to be backed up via the startup screen. Choosing your backup
interval is also extremely simple and all of the options are clearly laid out and simply titled. If
you ever need to restore a file, the Backup Drive makes it easy to search for the file and restore it
to your computer via a right-click.

Accessing your files is incredibly easy and can be done from anywhere there is Internet access as
long as you have your login details on hand. Additionally, users who own an iPhone, Android-
based phone, or Blackberry smartphone can download the Carbonite app and access their data
from anywhere without the need for a computer.

Security for Carbonite users is extremely high. Files are encrypted with 128-bit Blowfish
encryption before they even leave a computer, which is an industry standard. They are then
uploaded to the company’s servers via SSL technology and a professional security firm guards
the data centers around the clock each and every day. Additionally, data is backed up on multiple

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servers that are located in geographically separated data centers, which safeguards your data
from being lost due to a major disaster at the main data center.

In the event that you experience a technical difficulty while using Carbonite, you will be given
access to their support team via phone, email and live chat at no extra cost. Although the phone
lines are only open during regular business hours, the live chat is available 24 hours a day.

Carbonite will be a great service for any individual or business who is looking to do only one
thing: backup their files automatically. Fortunately, it does achieve this goal and its plan is very
reasonably priced. Although this service does not provide advanced file sharing features, like
group access to a shared website or the ability to create and share links to files, it does make
backing up data simple and fast at a very low cost, while providing your files with a great level
of security.

5.3 ADrive

ADrive - Founded in 2007, ADrive is an online storage solution that offers free and paid for
plans that are suitable for individuals and small businesses. Although this company is a relative
newcomer, they do have a lot to offer and their plans can compete with those that are offered by
well established companies. The Basic plan for individual use is a free plan that offers 50 GB of
storage space, search tools, and file sharing capabilities. However, it does come with third party
advertisements. The Signature plan, which offers 50 GB of storage space for $6.95 per month or
$69.50 per year, is packed with the full suite of features and does not include any third party ads.
The Premium plan also offers the full suite of features and provides anywhere from 100 GB to 1
TB of storage space, with plans starting at $13.95 per month or $139.50 per year. However, the
maximum file size for all accounts is 2 GB.

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No matter which plan you sign up for, you can access your FTP via any FTP client. File sharing
is also easy to do via file links and the ability to email those links directly from your ADrive
account and files can be uploaded via the included Java uploader. Additionally, every subscriber
can easily search for files by typing in keywords or file names in the included search bar, and it
is also possible to edit word processing documents and spreadsheets online via the Zoho Online
Document Editor, making it easy to work with files without having to download them first.

Signature and Premium subscribers are able to retrieve older versions of their files. The file
history feature allows users to view a snapshot of an older version and choose to restore it to
their local hard drives or another storage device with a single click. Signature and Premium
subscribers also have the option to download the ADrive application, which is compatible with
Windows, Mac, and Linux machines, at no additional cost. This application makes it easy to
schedule automatic backups and access the ADrive account right from a user’s desktop.

Unfortunately, SSL data encryption is currently only offered to Signature and Premium users,
meaning that many individuals on a tight budget may have to forget about using ADrive
altogether. No matter what type of user you are, data encryption is important, since it protects
your data from being stolen during downloads and uploads. In order to ensure that all of your
data is secure, you should opt for one of the paid plans. However, this may make this service
more attractive to business users.

Paying subscribers can also create multiple accounts, allowing multiple computers to access the
ADrive account simultaneously. For most individuals, this feature will probably be quite
unnecessary. However, businesses and project groups can benefit from having easy simultaneous
access to stored data.

Fortunately, when you store your data with ADrive, you can benefit from their redundant
backups. All of your data will be stored in at least two data centers that are not in the same
geographic location. This provides your data with protection from natural disasters.

The ADrive user interface is easy to navigate and highly streamlined for all of your storage and
data access needs. If a Signature or Premium user ever experiences a technical difficulty, they

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have access to 24/7 phone and email support, while Basic users can find answers to their
questions by searching and posting onto the user forum.

ADrive is reasonably priced, but it may be geared more towards business users than individual
home users, since the Basic account excludes basic security functionality. However, a great high
point for this service is the ability to view and edit documents via the Zoho Document Editor.
This feature is a must for anyone who does not have constant access to the necessary document
editing applications and for impatient users who hate waiting for document downloads to
complete.

5.4 Mozy

Mozy - Mozy was founded in 2005 and is a very popular online backup service amongst both
consumers and businesses. They currently offer two backup products: MozyHome and MozyPro,
which is intended for office use. Notable Mozy users include the American Red Cross in
Nashville and the University of San Francisco.

MozyHome is currently compatible with Windows 7, 2000, XP, and Vista as well as Mac OS X
10.4 and above. MozyPro goes further by adding compatibility with Windows 2008, 2003, and
2000. MozyHome is priced at $4.95 per month, or $54.45 per year for an unlimited amount of
storage space, while MozyPro offers desktop licenses for $3.95 per month and server licenses for
$6.95 per month for an unlimited amount of storage space. Unfortunately, a free trial is not
offered for MozyPro, but MozyHome can be used for free by any user who wishes to store only
2 GB of data When it comes to security, Mozy takes no chances with your data. All files are
protected via 128-bit SSL encryption during file transfers and 448-bit Blowfish encryption for
stored files. Additionally, files cannot be accessed without using an authorized login.

5.5 Windows Live SkyDrive

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Windows Live SkyDrive - Live SkyDrive is an online storage solution that is provided by
Windows, which was founded in 1975, through their Windows Live Web portal. Live SkyDrive
is available for free to all users under a single plan structure.

Live SkyDrive provides all of its users with free access to 25 GB of storage space. This space
can be used to store nearly any type of file, including documents, photos, videos, and music. In
order to access the service, a free Windows Live account is required and all of your information
is password protected.

One of the great advantages of using Live SkyDrive is that you can easily access and edit all of
your stored Office documents through a Web browser. This means that you can view and edit
documents that were created in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or OneNote on computers
that don’t have any of those applications installed. For busy professionals and students, this
feature offers a very valuable service.

With SkyDrive, files can be downloaded to any computer and you can also access files through a
mobile device. The iPhone and Windows phones are currently supported. With Office Web Apps
installed, you can even view and edit documents on your smartphone.

When it comes to sharing and collaboration, Live SkyDrive offers users a few different options.
For example, files can be emailed through Hotmail. However, these files are limited to a file size
of only 50 MB each. Alternatively, a folder can be created within Live SkyDrive and shared with
individuals and groups. The shared folder can be protected with a password of your choosing,
allowing you to share the password with others at will. When a folder is shared, certain members
can be given file editing and uploading permissions. To preserve the integrity of your data, file
version histories are generated and you can revert to a previous version at any time.

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Anyone who is looking for free and easy access to their Office documents and photos may want
to try Windows Live SkyDrive. With a Windows Live account and SkyDrive, you can easily
manage and edit your documents from anywhere at any time. Also, since this is a Windows
product, you are guaranteed an excellent amount of service uptime.

5.6 LiveDrive

LiveDrive - LiveDrive was founded in 2006 and offers two basic backup plans that will appeal to
individuals and home users. There are also versions of the application that are available for
businesses, but their features and pricing are tailored to the needs of each individual business.

All personal plans from LiveDrive offer unlimited storage space, bandwidth, transfer speeds,
multiple computer support, and 24 hour email support as well as support for mobile devices,
including the iPhone and the Blackberry. The most basic plan, which is called Backup, costs
$6.95 per month or $66.53 per year and offers users access to some of the application’s features
and functions.

If you need to view and edit your documents on the go, but do not have your word processing
applications installed on all of your computers, LiveDrive can help. By logging into the Web
portal, you can view and edit your Microsoft Office documents right from your Web browser.
Additionally, the Web portal has a built in music player, photo viewer, and video player.

Sharing is easy with LiveDrive. You can generate a link to any of your files with a single click.
This link can then be shared with any of your friends and family members via email or through a
social networking site. You can even post the link to your website, and there are no file size
restrictions placed upon your shared files.

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LiveDrive is a great service for anyone who is looking for unlimited storage at an affordable
price. The software is easy to use and all plans allow users to view their files on mobile phones
and revert to older file versions.

5.7 Google Docs

Google Docs - Google Docs is a free document storage service from Google. It is becoming
increasingly popular amongst college students as well as professionals who need to access a wide
variety of document formats from any computer at any time.

Google Docs is a free service that can be accessed by opening a free Google Docs account or a
Gmail account. All users are provided with 1 GB of storage space for their documents and this is
not counted toward, nor is it derived from the space that is already being used in other Google
accounts, such as Gmail.

The most impressive feature of Google Docs is that it allows its users to view and edit any of
their stored documents online, regardless of which computer they are using. Currently, word
processing documents, including those generated by Microsoft Word, spreadsheets, and
presentations can be stored and edited in Google Docs. Additionally, all of the data can be stored
in user-defined folders, rearranged, and modified at any time.

Also, you no longer need to have the necessary software installed on your computer in order to
view a shared DOC or PDF file, for example, since the files can now be displayed online through
your Web browser. Anyone who is looking for a simple way to work on their documents from
anywhere at any time or share them with others should try Google Docs. The service is free, so
there really is nothing to lose.

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6. CONCLUSION

These days we find Internet everywhere so it becomes very easy to us if we store the data online.
It is not needed to carry all the memory devices with us and no need to worry about the security.

We can store any kind of data and any amount of data and access it from anywhere and
whenever we want it. No tensions of losing or hacking the data or no bother of how to carry the
data. We can store large amount of data 50 Gb of data to TB of data in online without using
external devices. So it will be very useful if we follow this technique.

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7. REFERENCES

www.Z9drive.com

www.Adrive.com

www.box.net

www.elephantdrive.com

www.fileden.com

www.livedrive.com

www.orbitfiles.com

www.myotherdrive.com

www.freedrive.com

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