SugarSync Adds 500 GB Storage, 10% Discount

SugarSync Online Backup

SugarSync is a unique online backup service that boasts some extra fancy features, even letting you stream music from your computer onto your mobile phone. And now they are introducing a new storage plan of 500 GB! To celebrate this new addition, they are offering an extra 10% off, adding to the 17% savings you already get just by signing up for an annual plan. If 500 GB sounds like a little too much for your computer, take the extra storage and use it on another computer – SugarSync lets you backup an unlimited number of machines! Not sure if SugarSync is the right backup plan for you? Try it free for 30 days and see how it feels. Want more options? Compare all of our online backup services.

• Tweet

Do Internet Fax Services Provide Encryption?

Q: I will be using Internet Fax for personal health information, do any of these services provide encryption?

A: That's a great question – you always want to make sure that your personal health information is secure. The great news is that most Internet Fax Services offer encryption. MetroFax is one such service. Not only are your faxes sent to and from your password-protected account, but they also offer SSL encryption protection. And while we are on the subject of personal health information, note that MetroFax is also HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliant. MyFax is another great service that uses a secure server with SSL encryption. No human interaction happens while your faxes are being sent, and the fact that papers are never left forgotten on your fax machine should give you an extra peace of mind. Check out all of our Internet Fax Services and the great security features they provide.

• Tweet

Carbonite Adds to Their Backup Arsenal With 2 New Plans

Carbonite, one of our most talked about and well-priced online backup services, has added two new plans. The new HomePlus and HomePremier plans boast some great new features that have been missed in their basic Home plan. With these two upgrades, users can backup their external hard drives. You can also backup to an external hard drive with the Mirror Image feature, which backs up your operating system and programs, as well as your files and folders to an external drive. Exclusively with the HomePremier plan, account holders can get the Courier Recovery feature, where they can receive a copy of their backup shipped to the home or office. HomePremier also does automatic video backups, whereas users with the other two plans have to do this manually.

Mac users will have to stick with the Home plan and  wait until these new plans are available for their operating system. If you're a PC user, take advantage of these great new plans and read the full Carbonite review here! 

• Tweet

Which Online Backup Services are HIPAA Compliant?

Q: Which online backup services are HIPAA compliant?

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!

• Tweet

SOS Online Backup Review: SOS Gets a Makeover

Thanks to its new features and sleek interface, SOS Online Backup now has a place among our other top-rated online backup services.

Not only does it have an intuitive mobile app for both iPhone and Android, but it also has a Facebook application that backs up your social media life. It also lets users share their files and offers unlimited file versioning. You can even stream your favorite music from your computer to your mobile device. Though its a little on the pricier side of the online backup chain, many users will find the many new features to be a great value. Backup a max of 5 computers and choose from annual storage plans starting at  50 GB for  $79.95 and 100 GB for $99.95. External hard drives welcome!

Read the full review here.

• Tweet

What is the Total Initial Cost to Set Up Internet Fax? Do I Need Any Additional Devices?

Q: How much does it cost to set up Internet Fax? Do I need any additional devices for it to work?

Source: Creative Commons; Internet Fax Central

A: The great thing about Internet fax services is that there is no additional hardware necessary – all you need is an Internet connection! Simply sign up, go online, and you're ready to fax.

Prices vary among Internet fax services, it all depends on how much you fax and whether you want particular features. For example, MyFax costs $9.17/month if  you sign up for an annual plan and there is no additional setup fee. In addition, when you sign up through NextAdvisor, you get 500 send and receive faxes per month – a great deal compared to the original 100 send and 200 receive for the same price. You can also get a toll-free number at no additional cost.

MetroFax is another great Internet fax service with no setup fee that only charges $6.63/month for the annual business plan. It also includes 500 send and receive faxes per month, but you have to pay an additional $2/month for a toll-free number. If you're a big faxer, then Fax87 may be the right choice for you with its 1000 combined send and receive faxes per month. See all of our Internet Fax Services to choose which plan is best for you.

• Tweet

Are there Internet Fax Companies that Will Port my Existing Fax Number?

Q: Are there Internet fax companies that will port my existing fax number so that I don't have to change it?

A: Most Internet fax services can port current fax numbers, which in some cases can provide a more seamless transition. However, it does not come cheap and not all fax numbers are portable.

Fax87, one of our Internet fax favorites, charges a $25 fee for porting an eligible number. This process takes 1-5 weeks to complete and you cannot use their services until the number is ported. Make sure not to cancel your current service until porting is complete!

MetroFax also does fax number porting, and this too costs $25 and typically takes 10-14 business days. Before starting this process, contact your current provider to make sure that your fax number is eligible, then read up on each Internet fax services' porting process.

Remember, many of these Internet fax services, including Fax87 and MyFax, can provide you with a toll-free number at no additional cost. This can ultimately save you, and the people on the other side of the fax, a lot of money.

• Tweet

Will Carbonite Backup a Flash Drive Connected to Your Computer?

Q: Will Carbonite backup a flash drive that is connected to your computer?

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!

• Tweet

Unlimited Backup Storage as well as File Syncing Features with MyPCBackup: See What We Had to Say!

PC Users: If you want to make sure your Hawaii vacation photos and midterm papers aren't lost forever, it may be a good idea for you to back them up. MyPCBackup is an affordable online backup service that, like Carbonite, allows users an unlimited amount of storage space. It also has a useful syncing feature similar to a DropBox folder. The service even comes in the form of a handy mobile app, allowing you to access your files anywhere, anytime. Read the full review here!

• Tweet

Does Carbonite Save My Backed Up Files if My Service Lapsed?

• Tweet