Cloud storage for backups: How paranoid should I get?

[Waldo Pepper]

Originally Posted by GavChap

I use backblaze.com, it encrypts everything right from the PC, for more security you can lock it with not only a password, but a pass phrase as well.

The problem here is you have no idea on how robust the encryption at this level is. It's upto a third party. You are 100% relying on backblaze.com who for all you know maybe subscribed to the 'key escrow' idealogy where someone (and not you) is given third party trust of the security of your data.

Using something like Truecrypt (yep the same does apply) but it has a wider audience of cryptographers/good programmers who have access to the open source and can (hopefully) spot any weaknesses.

My personal encrypted files are nothing more than tax returns and a few personal letters. Nothing for anyone else to worry about, but I would rather that be my choice.

[GavChap]

This tells you how they do it: http://blog.backblaze.com/2008/11/12...n-easy-to-use/

I think it's secure enough.

[LSainsbury]

Originally Posted by manners

I currently host a backup cloud service which supports linux, now i would disagree with how secure onine data can be. i can see a list of files but couldnt ever break the 256aes key built by the windows/linux machine or by yourselves if you have more knowledge. offing it at £50 per year per 15gb. and on the end of a 2gbps feed its simply going to max out most peoples connections quite happily.

check it out at sbsbackups.co.uk if anyone interested theres a 30day trial and we will work with you to suit your needs.

Hope this helps some people

Why would we trust our data to somebody who randomly punts thier company on a random public forum, David???

---------- Post added at 17:53 ---------- Previous post was at 17:50 ----------

Originally Posted by manners

offing it at £50 per year per 15gb. and on the end of a 2gbps feed its simply going to max out most peoples connections quite happily.

I've got 23GB free with Dropbox; 5GB free with Google Drive; and whatever with Windows Live Drive.

£50 for 15GB per year sounds like a real bargain!

[clumsymum]

Well, I run a bookkeeping business, and have data about/belonging to my clients' businesses, no way would I back that up to the cloud. If they do it thats fine, if I do it and the data is compromised in some way, it isn't.

My ideal solution is to back up nightly to a hard drive here on my desk, and once a month take that to the bank deposit box - exchange it with the one that is already there. It could actually do with being taken off site more frequently, if our registered office were nearer to us, I would put a fire-safe in there, and deposit weekly backups there too.

It's old-hat, it's a bloody nuisance, it's not a particularly techy solution, but it makes me feel reasonably secure.

[carlwaring]

Originally Posted by clumsymum

It's old-hat, it's a bloody nuisance, it's not a particularly techy solution, but it makes me feel reasonably secure.

I feel exactly the same way, mum. Hence my use of a portable 2.5" hard drive; as previously mentioned.