02 March 2011
Websites offering online storage are abound, some are free while some are fee based. Before you start moving your photos and other data to these attractive locations, consider the following pro’s and con’s of online storage.
Make sure the online storage company you choose is reputable and not simply a fly-by-night business.
Advantages of Online Storage
Accessible
Online storage is preferred by travelers who do not wish to always rely on carrying their laptop or storage devices with them. One can just log in and have access to documents in a way similar to an intenet mail service. Collaborators and co-employees can also log in to the same account and access the data, thus eliminating the need for computer networking. This accessibility is global, unlike with CD’s or USB sticks.
Safe
Storing data and photos in your hard drive without a backup carries its risks as hard drives can crash and laptops can get stolen. On the other hand, online storage websites are safer repositories for your data as they are unreached by fires, thefts and other calamities that can strike your computer or business.
Saves Hard Drive Space
Storing photos can be especially heavy for hard drives and sooner or later, you may have to spend on upgrades. In contrast, stashing your photos and videos onto online storage sites frees your hard drive space.
Disadvantages of Online Storage
Lacks Privacy
As a matter of course, the people behind the online storage solution can view and have access to your data. Then there is the thought that you have no actual physical control over your data but have instead entrusted its welfare to a third party. If you’d rather be certain that your data remained unseen by others, better steer clear of online storage. Hackers might gain access to all your data especially if your password is not very strong although using a strong secure password with a combination of letters (upper and lower case), numbers and symbols goes a very long way in preventing unauthorized access to your online data account.
Uncontrollable downtime
There have been cases of sudden closures of internet storage companies, going bust etc and unfortunately your data could very well disappear along with them. Care should be taken to make sure the online storage company you choose is reputable, has a good track record and not simply a fly-by-night business.
Costly
Internet storage sites will ask for payment if you intend to upload unlimited gigabytes of data. Some may shrewdly advertise free uploading but actually charges for downloads. It pays to check the full details of the particular online storage solution you are considering before committing.
Potentially Difficult to Recover
Where data recovery experts are able to rescue files and information from a failed disk or memory card, they require physical access to the device in order to carry out this work. If your lost data is stored online at an often unknown location, personally ensuring the recovery of your data can be both problematic and frustrating. A good, reputable online storage company will keep regular backups themselves, so again it pays to check who you are entrusting your data with.
There is certainly a place and use for online storage, and it will become more and more commonplace in years to come. Off-site back ups can prove to be a genuine lifesaver in the event of fire or flood damage and so should not be dismissed out of hand.
