15% off SugarSync this Labor Day Weekend
September 1st, 2011 - Posted by Tasha
SugarSync is offering NextAdvisor visitors a special 15% discount on their annual plans for a limited time only. Today through September 4th if you sign up for a SugarSync personal plan via the NextAdvisor site you'll automatically get 15% off. Plus, this offer includes a 30-day free trial. Get it now while it's hot!
Do I need cloud backup AND an external hard drive for my new computer, or will I be OK with just cloud back up or just an external hard drive back up?
September 1st, 2011 - Posted by Tasha
Q: Do I need cloud backup AND an external hard drive for my new computer, or will I be OK with just cloud back up or just an external hard drive back up? I have an iMac.
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.
If my computer crashes, does an online backup service restore my iTunes music as well?
August 30th, 2011 - Posted by Tasha
Q: If my computer crashes, does an online backup service restore my iTunes music as well?
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.
I want to purchase Carbonite. What is the coupon code for the 10% discount?
July 18th, 2011 - Posted by Sarah
The following is an actual user-submitted question:
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.
Can I store more files on cloud storage than on my computer?
July 5th, 2011 - Posted by Sarah
The following is an actual user-submitted question:
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.
How secure is sensitive information with Carbonite?
June 13th, 2011 - Posted by Sarah
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.
Can I back up two different types of computers on the same Mozy plan?
June 2nd, 2011 - Posted by Sarah
The following is an actual user-submitted question:
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.
I currently use an external hard drive and would also like to keep that backed up automatically. Is this possible?
June 1st, 2011 - Posted by Sarah
The following is an actual user-submitted question:
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!
Can online backup from a PC be used to transfer files to a Mac, preferably selectively?
May 23rd, 2011 - Posted by Sarah
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.
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?
May 16th, 2011 - Posted by Kent
The following is an actual user-submitted question:
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.
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