Anyone who has ever lost valuable data from a computer crash or virus will tell you – it is very important to keep your important files safe from disaster. This way, the next time you experience a power surge, hardware malfunction, natural disaster or computer theft; document storage will no longer be a concern.
Electronic document storage and backups have changed quite a bit over the years, evolving from the old-fashioned tape method, with a slow pace of recovery, to writable CD-ROMs and DVDs and USB drives. While the USB, or flash drive, can provide easy access and portability, they can also be stolen along with the computer, or become damaged. Also, files stored on USB drives are often more difficult to share or manage remotely.
A better option is electronic document storage; the natural next step in the “backup evolution”. Online document storage allows files to be stored in a safe and secure environment, as well as the benefit of remote access, encryption and document sharing.
Secure document storage usually includes a 128-bit encryption, which occurs locally on your computer, before your files are even sent to the document storage site. The files, which are stored in their encrypted format, are only readable when you access them through an encrypted password. This keeps information and files from falling into the wrong hands. You can also backup all of your computers using one account.
Many document storage services offer a “set it and forget it” automatic backup option, which allows you to schedule the folders and documents to be backed up, and a specific day of the week/month for regular backups.
Collaboration with friends and business partners can sometimes allow documents to become “viral” on the internet, but an online document storage company can help with that too. By allowing you to send an encrypted link to the file that will give them exclusive password access to the file; you can keep others from accessing the file.
Easy upload is another feature to look for in a document storage service. Look for one that allows you to perform a simple “drag and drop” from your Desktop, Windows Explorer menus, or other applications. The easier it is to upload, the more often you will do it, which can only make your data safer and more secure.