A: Thanks for your question! The biggest perk of MyPCBackup is that you get unlimited storage space for one computer. Thus, no matter how many files you have, photos in your case, you can back them all up with your one basic subscription. You can definitely backup your directory all at once, but this might take a while. The upload time isn't a big deal though since you can continue using your computer while your files are safely being stored.

Another service that lets you backup an unlimited amount of files for one computer is the top rated Carbonite. To compare all of our online backup services, click here!

A:  HIPAA, The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is meant to address the security and privacy of health data. Because the electronic transfer of health data is much more efficient and effective, HIPAA requirements strive to create safe standards for these practices.

Unfortunately, according to the Dropbox Help page, they currently do not have this certification.

However, there are a handful of online backup services that are HIPAA compliant. Carbonite and Mozy,  two of our highest-rated online backup services, both comply with HIPAA standards. Read more about HIPAA compliant online backup services here.

Want more online backup options? Click here to compare them all.

Source: BHM

A: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)  not only protects health insurance coverage for workers and their families, but is also meant to address the security and privacy of health data. Because the electronic transfer of health data is much more efficient and effective, HIPAA requirements strive to create safe standards for these practices.

There are a handful of online backup services that are HIPAA compliant. Carbonite and Mozy,  two of our highest-rated online backup services, both comply with HIPAA standards.

Another service that really stands out is IBackup. Though it isn't exactly at the top of our list, businesses, particularly those in the legal, health, or financial fields, will want to give IBackup serious consideration. IBackup's business-level services help businesses backup their MS SQL server databases and Exchange servers. Of course, they also boast support for HIPAA and a number of other compliance issues relating to business. The service, like various other online backup providers, also lets you set your own private encryption key, for all plans.

Always make sure that the online backup service you choose follows all of the regulations necessary to support your business, and always feel free to call their customer support!

Source: Creative Commons, Skadoit

A: Unfortunately, the current version of Carbonite only backs up files that reside on permanent hard drives in your computer. This means that you cannot backup external hard drives or flash drives. However, if you ever need to back up a file that is on your flash, simply move that file onto your computer.

MyPCBackup, another one of our highly rated online backup services, backs up external drives and flash drives at no additional cost. Just make sure it is connected to your computer when the backup runs and you are good to go! Mozy also does it for free but specifies that it only backs up drives that are "fixed", meaning that flash drives will not be backed up.

In general, the best way to confirm the backup of your flash drive's files is to manually copy them onto your computer. Then when you do your next backup, those files are bound to be saved!

A: Excellent question! When you first install Carbonite on your computer, it will give you the choice to back up all of your Documents/Settings and User files or to select which files you would like to back up. If you want more than just your Documents/Settings and User files backed up (which do not include emails), we would suggest choosing the option that lets you select which files to back up. You can always add files to back up at any time once Carbonite is installed.

Once you choose which files you want to back up, Carbonite will do a one-time all-inclusive back up of all of those files, transferring all your encrypted files over a secure network. After all of your files are on the Carbonite servers, the system will continue to back up any new versions of those files if you make any changes to them. The software uses Volume Shadowcopy Service, which keeps a copy of files that you have open so that they can easily be backed up once they are modified. And the best part is that all of Carbonite’s back up services run quietly in the background, so that you never have to worry about back ups interrupting your work. If you want to know more about Carbonite, read our review here.

A: Congratulations on your new computer! If you have Carbonite 4.0, there is a restore option that allows you to put all of your files in the right place on your new system.

From your new PC, go to the Carbonite website and log into your account. Here you will see a list of all the computers under your account, as well as all of the files. If you want to restore every file onto your new system, click Restore for the specific backup you want to transfer. From the pop-up box, click Complete Restore. Note that if you used Outlook on your retired PC and kept it connected to "documents and settings", your emails will be restored as well.

A: Carbonite, like most other top-ranked online backup companies, has an elaborate system for keeping your data safe. First, Carbonite encrypts all of your files on your own computer before copying them over to their servers through a secure SSL connection, which further encrypts and secures your information. Carbonite also utilized RAID 6, which is a complicated program of organizing your data to better protect. The Carbonite File System, where your data is stored, has further encryption and security features to help keep your data safe. Carbonite employees also do not have access to your information, adding an extra layer of security.

Most of the other top online backup companies use similar encryption techniques to protect your data, so you should be safe regardless of which of the top online backup companies you choose. If you want more information about any of those companies, please visit our Online Backup review page.

A: If you are only looking to back up one computer, then Carbonite is the best value for you. The service offers unlimited storage on one computer for $53.10/year, which is cheaper than most other reputable services that have a storage cap. And the service is easy to use, supports both PCs and Macs, and gives you more options than other services. This is the best value for any one-computer home or business.

If you are looking for a service for more than one computer, or think you might expand at some point, then Mozy offers the best value. While the standard service is slightly more expensive than Carbonite and has a 50 GB data cap, adding additional computers only costs you $2 more a month, as opposed to Carbonite which requires a new plan for each additional computer. Mozy also supports both PCs and Macs.

If your main concern is not value or you are looking for other specific options, you can use our Online Backup Chooser to help choose the best backup service for you. Answer a few questions about your needs and the Chooser will select the best plans to fit your needs.

A: Well, you have a couple of options. Carbonite offers both individual plans and small business plans, both that could work for you. They end up being around the same price, so it depends on what works best for your business needs.

With the individual plan, you can buy a year subscription for each computer at $53.10, with the NextAdvisor discount, which would total $318.60, and comes with unlimited storage. If you buy the 2- or 3-year plan, it will save you more. (2-year plan = $310.65/yr; 3-year plan = $278/yr)

With the small business plan, you can cover an unlimited amount of computers for the same $318, but you are limited to 350 GB of storage. (This combines the standard 250 GB plan for $229/yr with the 100 GB add-on for $89/yr.) So it basically comes down to whether you want unlimited storage or unlimited computer coverage. If you are unsure, Carbonite offers a free 30-day trial that will help you determine how much storage space your business will need.

A:  Cloud backup is the best choice.  The difference between cloud backup and external hard drive backup is the difference between the virtual and the physical. With a cloud backup, your important files, music and images will be backed up via the Internet at a secure offsite location—safe from fire, viruses, hard drive failures and other potential issues. Although an external hard drive is a nice way to backup your files onsite, if something were to happen to your hard drive…say you dropped it, it stopped working or there was a flood or fire, your files would be lost. Because of this we recommend cloud backup (or "online backup") to protect your files. You could use both online backup AND an external hard drive, but we don't feel it's necessary as online back is safe and secure.

There are some great online backup solutions for the Mac available, including Carbonite and Mozy.  Or if you're not sure exactly what you need, try out our Online Backup Chooser, which will make recommendations based on your requirements.

A: If you have your computer set to back up your iTunes music, you will get your music library back when you restore your data. You just need to make sure you are backing up your music files when you set up the online backup configuration. Most online backup services have some sort of program that automatically selects critical data to backup, but you should always double check to ensure it's capturing everything you want saved.

We really like Carbonite and Mozy as online backup services, and they both support PCs and Macs.  You can also look at all our online backup reviews to choose the one that's best for your situation.

Q. I want to purchase Carbonite. What is the coupon code for the 10% discount?

A. You don't need one! All you have to do is follow any link from NextAdvisor to Carbonite, and the 10% discount will be applied automatically.

Q. Can I store more files on cloud storage than on my computer? I would like to delete several files from my Mac that take up a lot of space but would like them to be available as online storage. Can this be done, or does it only store the same info as the Mac? Also, my husband has different files on his PC; do we have to have identical files?

A. Cloud storage, or online backup, can sync with your computer. But you can also upload files that you don't want to be on your local hard drive. When you want to access them, you will usually have to download them again from your online backup service's client portal. For this kind of usage, we recommend a service like SugarSync, which is easy to back up manually rather than automatically, so you can have more control over what goes to your cloud.

With SugarSync, you can also back up an unlimited number of hard drives, so your two computers don't have to share the same files. Delightful bonus: When you follow a link from our site to SugarSync, you'll get a 15% discount for an annual plan on top of the already-discounted annual plan price (total discount: 29% off the monthly price), and you'll still get a 30-day free trial.

The following is an actual user-submitted question:

Q. How secure is sensitive information with Carbonite?

A. Carbonite online backup uses the same encryption technology as online banking and e-commerce transactions. The service encrypts your files with 128-bit Blowfish encryption before copying them off your computer. The next layer of security uses Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology to transmit your files to Carbonite's data centers, and they stay encrypted on those servers; Carbonite tightly controls personnel access to your files with biometric scanners and electronic key cards with PINs. Plus access to your backup is protected by your encryption key, which Carbonite (and you, presumably) keeps strictly confidential. Finally, Carbonite hires a professional security firm to test the security to make sure you're the only one who can access your files. Rest assured that your data is secure with Carbonite.

Q. I will be backing up three computers. I have two Dells using Windows Vista and one Mac using OSX. Can I back up two different types of computers on the same Mozy (125 GB) plan?

A. Yes. We like Mozy: It's reliable and inexpensive (especially with our exclusive discount), and it can back up both Macs and PCs. It's a great solution for online backup. The 125GB plan offers backup for three computers. When we asked Mozy if you can back up the different types of computers, they said that it was possible; you just need to make sure to download Mozy on each machine from the Mozy website. So on your Dells, download Mozy for Windows, and on your Mac, download Mozy for Mac.

You can add even more computers or devices of any kind, but it costs $2 more per computer per month.

Q. I currently use an external hard drive and would also like to keep that backed up automatically. Is this possible?

A. You bet it's possible! Not all online backup companies back up external hard drives, but many do. Mozy is a great choice if you're new to online backup, but if you're an advanced user, we recommend SpiderOak. iDrive is an excellent solution for the budget-conscious. Other options include ElephantDrive, SOS Online Backup, and iBackup (which is basically the business version of iDrive). All of these online backup companies have the ability to back up external devices automatically. Just follow the directions after you sign up!

The following is an actual user-submitted question:

Q. Can online backup from a PC be used to transfer files to a Mac, preferably selectively?

A. Absolutely! Once you back up the file from your PC, all you need to do is share your file(s) with an email address (not the one you have on file with the online backup company), and you can download from the cloud to your Mac. However, it's not the best solution for this common question. If you want to make any changes to the file, back up different versions, or sync or merge the different copies of your file, we recommend that you go with online backup that covers more than one computer — or, at best, unlimited computers, like these services:

SugarSync: This online backup company covers an unlimited number of computers at a kickin' price. The only real downsides are its limited default backup settings and inability to back up your Outlook messages or Firefox. Read: It doesn't back up everything. However, we here at NextAdvisor offer an exclusive 15% discount on SugarSync.

iBackup: Are you trying to transfer files for your business? iBackup might be the right service for you. It's the only online backup service we've reviewed that helps you make sure that your business storage is compliant with federal regulations.

SpiderOak: Can you tell we love SpiderOak? It's super-secure and customizable online backup with a gorgeous, streamlined interface. If you're a beginner at online backup, though, it might be wise to skip this option.

Q: I am currently using a trial version of Carbonite on my iMac. Do I really need an online backup system since I have Time Machine?

A: Time Machine is very fast and very convenient but it has one weakness: It's attached to your computer. Why is this a weakness? While Time Machine can provide backup if your files are accidentally deleted or your hard drive crashes, it's still vulnerable to many of the physical dangers that your computer is, such as fire, theft, floods, or other disasters. With Carbonite, your data sits in a secure, remote location. The data is also encrypted, something you don't get by default with Time Machine.

All that aside, there's something else Carbonite does that Time Machine does not: It provides you with remote access to your files anywhere you have an Internet connection. So, whether you're at work or on vacation you can grab important files safely and securely. While Time Machine is easy to use, there's nothing quite as useful or secure as an online backup service like Carbonite.

Check out our full online backup comparisons and reviews for the full rundown on Carbonite, Time Machine, and other online backup services. You can also get exclusive discounts for many of the top online backup services.

Q: My computer crashed and was taken by my kids to the local Data Doctor who has it running well, only Carbonite is turned off. How do I get it restarted?

A: If Carbonite is still installed on your computer, it should be as easy as opening up Carbonite. You may have to run the setup again. If that doesn't work, try downloading the Carbonite client again and running the setup that way. You didn't mention if you need to restore any lost files after the crash. If so, you'll want to "freeze" your backup using the Carbonite online interface before turning on Carbonite again. Once the client is installed, and you've restored any missing files, you can unfreeze the backup set. Find more detailed information on freezing your backup set here.

Q: I have Windows XP. Can Carbonite restore my files after I install Windows 7?

A: Yes. Carbonite has built-in functionality to transfer files from one computer to another. The system change shouldn't be a problem for restoring your documents, photos, contacts, email, and music. Carbonite promises to put everything in the right place. There are full instructions on the help section of their website. Full restores can take a while, even a day or more, depending on the amount of data you're moving. Also, you should note that programs are not backed up by Carbonite. You must reinstall those manually.

If you don't yet have Carbonite installed, make sure to check out our review. NextAdvisor visitors can save an additional 10% when they purchase Carbonite through one of our links.

Q: Does Norton Online Backup back up your Microsoft Word and Excel files?

A: Yes, in fact those are just the kinds of files that Norton Online Backup is made to back up. Of course, it will take just about any file you throw at it, including photos and music. The only files it's not built to back up are programs. They're just too large, and restoring a program is always best done from the original install files.

For more information on online backup services, check out our reviews.

Q: Does Carbonite back up the programs as well as files? Is the entire hard drive "ghosted"?

A: No, Carbonite just backs up documents such as word processing documents, spread sheets, photos, MP3s, and other irreplaceable files. There are a couple reasons for this. One is that program files are massive, and Carbonite (which offers unlimited backup) needs to set some limits in order to keep their bandwidth costs reasonable (they already impose a maximum file size limit of 4 gigabytes, a monthly transfer limit of 100 gigabytes). But there are more practical reason for users too. One is that a full hard drive restore would be a massive download, taking days. Also, when restoring a computer after a crash, a fresh install of programs is generally best. So hold onto your installation discs, and keep track of the serial numbers and activation codes for any software you download. If your computer should crash, reinstall the programs anew, and restore your files from Carbonite.

For more information on online backup services, check out our reviews and comparisons.

Q: Are my files safe with an online backup service?

A: Yes. With all of our top online backup service providers your files are encrypted before they leave your computer, and they're protected as they're sent over the Internet, using the same type of SSL (Secure Socket Layer) connection that's used for online banking. This means no one can read your files in transit. The files are then stored on powerful, secure servers that are protected from fire and other disasters (think Fort Knox, but for files). Since they were encrypted when they left your computer, that's how they're stored, meaning that if a hacker could access the files (which is highly unlikely), they would be unreadable.

In short, your files are far safer with an online backup service than they are on your laptop or desktop. Check out our online backup reviews for more information on how to protect your important files.