Online Backup Software Reveiw

Have you ever thought about what you would lose if your computer crashed or was stolen? Would it be irreplaceable pictures of your family, or vital contact information for your business clients? Some people assume copying their information to a USB storage device or a CD is the best solution, but a better one exists. Online backup providers offer many benefits which physical copies simply can’t:

• Automated backups: You never have to remember to backup your data up
• Online storage: You don’t have to worry about physical damage to your backups
• Multiple computers: You can backup multiple computers to one location
• Easy restore/transfer of files: You can easily restore or transfer your files to your repaired or new computer

When choosing an online backup solution, there are a few things to look for:

• What is the cost? Depending on the amount of space needed for your backups, you may be able to get this service for FREE. For additional storage these providers will only charge a small monthly fee.
• How much storage do you need? The software will tell you how much storage you will need when you install them.
• How viable is the company? There are many companies in the market, but there are only a few that are going to be around in 5 years, when you need to restore your files.
• Does the software install on your computer? As part of the criteria for the recommended vendors, the breadth of supported operating systems must at least support Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Apple MAC OS X.

Once you choose your provider it will take about 1 hour to setup an account, install the software, and run the first backup. These are my top recommendations, but you may also wish to investigate online backup providers for yourself. The most important thing is to choose a company you trust and immediately backup your files!. If you have any questions about which software is right for you, please leave a comment or contact me directly on CrossLoop.

Company	Web Site	Cost	Storage	Rating	Rating Explanation
Mozy	http://www.mozy.com	Free $4.95/Month	2 GB Unlimited	5/5
Carbonite	http://www.carbonite.com	$49.95/Year	Unlimited	4/5	Only offers annual plan and no free service
iDrive	http://www.idrive.com	Free $4.95/Month	2 GB 150 GB	4/5	Doesn’t offer an unlimited plan
Elephant Drive	http://www.elephantdrive.com	$4.95/Month $9.95/Month	1 GB 2 GB	4/5	Doesn’t offer unlimited plan and is expensive for the storage that they do offer