Top rated online backup service continues international expansion

Posted by Joe on April 29th, 2008

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Carbonite, one of our five star rated providers of online backup services, recently launched a Portuguese language version of their online backup service targeted to consumers in Portugal and Brazil. Carbonite has previously launched versions of their file backup service in English, German, French, Italian and Dutch.

“The Portuguese version is another important step to continue Carbonite’s growth in the European market,” said Floyd Bradley, Carbonite’s EVP International. “The Portuguese localization also is a major step toward our entry into the Brazilian market. This presents a big opportunity for Carbonite, since Brazil has the highest number of broadband subscribers of any country in South America.”

Portuguese speakers should realize the many unique benefits of online backup services that major corporations and consumers across the globe have already discovered. To learn more about online backup services like Carbonite please visit our online backup service provider reviews and comparison.

• Carbonite agrees- online backup services are good for the environment
• Mozy Mac support moves out of Beta
• Mozy and Carbonite receive high marks in security
• Wake up and backup!
• 5 reasons why online backup services are superior to offline home storage solutions

Reader Question: What kind of Internet connection do I need for VoIP?

Posted by Joe on April 28th, 2008

A recent commenter on a post from our Reader Question series asked a great question that we felt warranted a new post to respond.

Q: Using dsl bradband for internet connection. Do you need satellite or cable to purchase Vonage?

Vonage requires a high-speed Internet connection (DSL or Cable). So, your existing DSL broadband connection will be totally sufficient if you decide to sign up for the Vonage service.

Keep in mind that one of the biggest factors in determining the quality of your VoIP connection, through Vonage or other VoIP providers, is the speed of your broadband connection. More specifically, you will want to test the speed at which data is transferred through your Internet connection. Internet connection speed is measured in kilobits per second, which is a measure of the speed at which data is transferred through your modem (you will often see it abbreviated as Kbps or kb/s).

Most experts agree that your Internet connection should have a minimum of 90 Kbps in order to have a quality VoIP calling experience. There are two great sites we have come across that will help you determine just what you can expect if you decide to sign up for Vonage or another VoIP services on your existing Internet connection.

First is SpeedTest.net. This site will quickly determine the speed at which data is sent and received, or uploaded and downloaded, through your broadband modem. The results are presented in Kbps. Keep in mind that your transfer rates can greatly vary throughout the day so it is best to run this test during the times that you would typically make phone calls from your home telephone line.

The second site, TestYourVoip.com, actually goes one step further and makes test VoIP calls from your Internet connection to locations all over the world. In under 20 seconds they are able to show you the estimated quality of VoIP calls from your Internet connection.

Both sites are totally free and we are not affiliated with them in any way, but we do think they offer valuable insight to consumers that are looking to join the VoIP revolution.

If you would like more information on VoIP please visit our guide to VoIP service providers.

• Reader Question: Does my computer need to be on for VoIP services to work?
• Apple OKs voip over wifi for the iPhone
• 2008 VoIP trend alert - VoIP services let consumers keep traditional phone service too
• Facebook poll shows college students don’t know VoIP
• VoIP comes to the iPhone

5 reasons why online backup services are superior to offline home storage solutions

Posted by Joe on April 23rd, 2008

We have previously discussed the many core benefits of online backup services and provide an extensive comparison of the leading online backup services on our site. But, we have never covered the many reasons that online backup services are superior to the various offline options that are available for consumers.

That is, until now! Below is our list of five important reasons that online backup services are superior to offline home storage. To learn more about online backup services please visit our online backup service comparison guide.

1) Online backup services are value priced

Online backup services like Mozy and Carbonite offer unlimited storage for a low monthly or annual fee. This means that the more data the store the cheaper these services cost per giga bite. For example, if you store 50 giga bites of data on the Mozy online backup service which costs $4.95 per month, then you are paying about $0.10 per giga bite. However, as the amount of data you store increases your costs actually decrease; 100 giga bites of storage would cost about $0.05 per giga bite. With offline home storage, which requires external hard drives to store your data, have recurring costs that are always fixed. If you need more storage you have to buy a bigger drive. Additionally, external hard drives do not last forever (see point four below) which means you will have even more costs when you need to replace old drives.

2) Online backup services scale to meet your needs

Whether your are looking to store a few MP3s and digital photos or you want to store hundreds of gigabits worth of information, online backup services will fit your needs. Unlike offline storage solutions, online backup services offer unlimited amounts of storage on demand. As mentioned in point one above, both Mozy and Carbonite offer unlimited storage for a fixed fee. This means that you don’t have to wrangle with the decision of how much storage you need in your laptop or external hard drive. Online backup services will grow with you.

3) Online backup services offer a higher level of security

With online backup services your files are stored in facilities that leverage the best practices in data security. For example, Carbonite utilizes the same intensive security measures that major financial institutions use to store account information. Offline storage options, on the other hand, are only as secure as you make them. For example, if you use an external hard drive to backup your data and that drive is lost or stolen, all the information you have stored there is in jeopardy.

4) Online backup services have a longer shelf life

A recent Google study found that about 8% of all hard drives will fail within the first two years of service. This means that one in every twelve hard drives, including internal and external drives, will fail in as little as 24 months from when they are put to use. We don’t like those odds when it comes to storing your important files and documents. Online backup is superior because the service providers themselves manage the hardware and have advanced contingency plans for any issues that may arise. In most cases, online backup service providers securely store multiple copies of the files that you upload to their service which nearly eliminates the likelihood that you will lose any of your backed-up data.

5) Online backup services are more environmentally friendly

As we discussed in our Earth Day post, online backup services are much more environmentally friendly than the hardware based alternatives because they cut down on the number of home storage devices that have to be produced and shipped all over the globe. The folks at Carbonite also pointed out that online backup services eliminate the need for storing information on other media such as CDs or reams of paper which are much more damaging to the environment.

Visit our online backup service reviews and comparison to learn more.

• Users report bugs on Apple’s backup solution
• Is online data storage the secret to eliminating many data breaches?
• Carbonite agrees- online backup services are good for the environment
• NextAdvisor launches new detailed online backup service FAQs
• NextAdvisor reviews new online backup service ElephantDrive

Mozy offers 25% discount in response to Upline’s downtime

Posted by Joe on April 23rd, 2008

Our top rated online backup service, Mozy, is offering a 25% discount promo code on one or two year subscriptions to their service through the end of April. The discount is specifically targeted towards current and former customers of Hewlett Packard’s competitive online backup service, Upline, which has been plagued with technical issues since its launch earlier this month.

Upline was launched April 7, 2008 and available for only about a week when the service was suspended so that HP could address the newly discovered technical issue. HP has not released the number of customers that have been impacted by the service suspension but they have announced that all US customers are eligible for a refund.

To receive 25% off a one or two year subscription of Mozy simply click here and enter the promo code UPLINE at check out. The discount is available to any new Mozy subscribers through the end of April.

To learn more about online backups visit our online backup service reviews and comparison.

• Mozy discount promo code for April 2008
• Mozy promotional discount code for April 2008
• Mozy online backup discount promo codes for March 2008
• Get 10% off a year of Mozy online backup service with special discount codes
• Mozy- if its good enough for the worlds largest corporations, its good enough for your laptop!

Carbonite agrees- online backup services are good for the environment

Posted by Joe on April 23rd, 2008

The folks over at Carbonite, one of our top rated online backup services, picked up on our Earth Day post and added some great points about why online backup services are more eco-friendly than many of the alternatives.

Here is an excerpt from their post on the Carbonite Blog:

With online backup, you don’t have to save hard copies of documents and you don’t have to store stacks of plastic disks or CDs with all your backups on them. And, online backup cuts down on home storage devices that have to be produced and shipped around the globe. So, if you don’t use online backup for any other reason… do it for the planet. It is, after all, “Earth Week.”

You can learn more about online backup services by reading our reviews and comparisons of online backup services.

• 5 reasons why online backup services are superior to offline home storage solutions
• Top rated online backup service continues international expansion
• Mozy Mac support moves out of Beta
• NextAdvisor launches new detailed online backup service FAQs
• Mozy and Carbonite receive high marks in security

NextAdvisor reviews Identity Truth

Posted by Joe on April 22nd, 2008

This week we launched a brand new review of a brand new identity theft protection service called Identity Truth. While Identity truth isn’t perfect, we do believe it is a good service that has taken a unique approach to protecting the identities of their customers.

Where Identity Truth shines is in their unique use of technology to monitor your identity through a variety of sources. The service uses information from your Experian credit report as well as other account information, such as credit card and bank account information that you provide, and actively monitors your identity for suspicious activity. Identity Truth also provides up-to-date information on data breaches in the United States. This includes a searchable database of data breaches by company so that you can see if you may be at risk.

Identity Truth does not offer managed fraud alerts the way LifeLock does, but their online interface gives subscribers clear instructions on how to set fraud alerts at all three of the credit bureaus. While this information is helpful, the lack of fraud alerts means that Identity Truth users need to actively reset their alerts every 90 days themselves.

Additionally, Identity Truth offers single bureau credit monitoring of your Experian credit report. While this is certainly better than some services that provide no credit report monitoring at all, it would be better if Identity Truth were able to provide three bureau monitoring like Identity Guard Total Protection does.

We recommend that consumers interested in the Identity Truth service sign up for either the one year ($99.00) or three year ($229.99) plans. Not only do these plans represent a significant value over the $9.99 per month plan but they also come with a 30 day free trial which the the monthly plan does not.

If you are interested in learning more about Identity Truth and how it stacks up against the other identity theft protection services we have reviewed, please visit our identity theft protection service provider guide.

• Identity Truth Launches toll free number for NextAdvisor.com readers
• Reader Question: Are credit bureau fraud alerts still available?
• Identity Theft Shield from Kroll and Pre-Paid Legal Review
• Unlimited credit reports and scores from all 3 bureaus with CreditCheck Total
• Reader Question: What should I do if I think I have been a victim of identity theft?

5 tips to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle this Earth day

Posted by Joe on April 22nd, 2008

In honor of Earth day we thought we would post a handful of useful tips related to the various services we review and compare here at NextAdvisor. The great news is that most of these techniques will not only reduce your impact on the environment but are also make your daily life easier.

1) Eliminate junk mail

We have posted previously on the hidden identity theft risk in junk mail, but in honor of earth day, we also wanted to point out that junk mail and other marketing communications you receive in the mail are very bad for the environment. Check out the original post for more tips on eliminating junk mail.

Additionally, we came across a new service today called Catalog Choice which allows you to select which catalogs you would like to receive. The service is free and allows you to opt out from receiving catalogs that you no longer wish to receive while still allowing those you want reach your mailbox.

2) Receive your credit report online

Whether you are ordering your free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com or from one of the credit report monitoring services we have reviewed and compared make sure you opt for online delivery of your credit report. Not only will this lower the overall carbon footprint of your order because the reports don’t need to be printed or transported by postal mail, but you will also receive immediate access to your credit file information.

3) Go paperless when you have the option

Opt for paperless billing where you can. VoIP services such as voip.com and Vonage offer a paperless billing option and so do other companies such as cell phone providers and credit card companies. Accessing your billing information online is not only more eco-friendly but it is also more convenient.

4) Attend an online college or university

Think of going back to get a better job or just for personal enrichment? Consider an online college or University. We have reviewed and compared dozens of e-learning institutions and found that they are every bit as reputable as their traditional counterparts with the added convenience of being able to attend classes from your home computer. Since you don’t have to commute to and from a physical campus and most of the course information is distributed digital the impact on the environment is greatly reduced.

5) Store your data “in the cloud”

Use an online backup service such as Mozy to store the information on your computer’s hard drive. Online backup services are much more environmentally friendly than the hardware based alternatives because they cut down on the number of home storage devices that have to be produced and shipped all over the globe.

Do you have your own eco-friendly and convenient tips that you would like to share? We would love to hear from you! Just leave a note in the comments below.

• Reader Question: How do I stop junk mail?
• Carbonite agrees- online backup services are good for the environment
• How to eliminate the hidden identity theft risk in junk mail
• 5 reasons why online backup services are superior to offline home storage solutions
• Reader Question: How do I order my free credit report?

Data Breach Alert: Poor website security puts untold number of Oklahomans at identity theft risk

Posted by Joe on April 17th, 2008

A major security flaw in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections website reportedly exposed the personal information of tens of thousands of Oklahoma residents for a period of at least three years.

Because the publicly available website lacked basic security protocols anyone with basic programming knowledge, an Internet connection and a web browser could easily access detailed information within the Oklahoma DOC’s database. It is also possible that information could have been changed within the database without the departments knowledge.

One recent investigator was able to extract over ten thousand records, including social security numbers, from the website.

The security issue appears to be fixed, although the Oklahoma Department of Corrections has made no official announcements about the data breach itself.

We strongly suggest that any Oklahomans that believe they may have been impacted by this data breach should learn more about identity theft protection options. View our identity theft protection service guide to learn more.

• Data Breach Alert: 70,000 impacted in OSU server breach
• Data Breach Alert: Registration website exposes presidential primary voters to identity theft
• Is your state putting your identity at risk?
• Data Breach Alert: City website exposes firefighters personal information
• Data Breach Alert: Health insurer exposes personal information of 128,000 customers

Data Breach Alert: Over 10 million eBay Korea users impacted in massive hack

Posted by Joe on April 17th, 2008

Popular US based auction website eBay announced this week that hackers had breached the records of about 10.8 million users of its Korean website. The incident occurred sometime in late February.

In working with local authorities to ascertain the facts related to the breach, eBay has found that it is highly unlikely that sensitive credit card or payment information was exposed in the breach, although names, site ids and other identifying information was definitely exposed.

The identity of the perpetrators is not currently known, but police believe that it was parties based outside of Korea.

This breach certainly highlights the potential risks of large scale hacker attacks on major Internet websites. We recommend that those individuals that frequently store information online or make Internet purchases consider an identity theft protection service to help safeguard their personal information.

• Data Breach Alert: Poor website security puts untold number of Oklahomans at identity theft risk
• Data Breach Alert: Registration website exposes presidential primary voters to identity theft
• Data Breach Alert: Boston museum patron’s credit card numbers exposed on public website
• Data Breach Alert: Millions at risk for identity theft due to supermarket chain data breach
• Data Breach Alert: Health insurer exposes personal information of 128,000 customers

Data Breach Alert: Stolen laptop leaves thousands of Connecticut State students exposed

Posted by Joe on April 17th, 2008

About 3400 current and former students of the Connecticut State University system were exposed to potential identity theft when a laptop containing their personal information, including names and social security numbers, was stolen from a vendor of the school system.

The computer did have password protection although the files including the sensitive student data were not encrypted in any way. The breach affected certain students that attended Central, Eastern, Southern and Western Connecticut Universities between September 2001 and December 2004.

Those students impacted in the data breach have been contacted. We strongly suggest that anyone involved in this or other similar data breach consider using an identity theft protection service. Read our guide to identity theft protection services to learn more.

• Connecticut teens earn diplomas on the Internet
• Data Breach Alert: College students receive social security numbers of classmates over email
• Data Breach Alert: Thousands of California students at risk for identity theft
• Data Breach Alert: Stolen laptop impacts Virginia school employees
• Data Breach Alert: Stolen laptop exposes identities of 20,000 Kraft employees