There are many online services which now provide remote storage in the form of a “virtual hard drive”. Many people are wondering whether this kind of service would be a good choice.
You can now find many online services which give you remote access and storage of your files, by having you place these files on a cloud server as opposed to keeping them on your hard drive. Some of these services are free for the most basic service, while others are paid services that usually come with a monthly subscription. Many people are wondering whether these services are a good choice. Here are some of their advantages and drawbacks.
Pros
*No software required in most cases
Unlike PC remote access tools, there is no need to install any software on your computer, although some services do give plug-ins and software tools for better functionality and integration. Therefore, the service will work regardless of which platform it is running on.
*Good backup solution
Backing up files to a remote server can be a good choice especially if you don’t have external media to which you can back up some of your files. Furthermore, backup media can get lost or get damaged, which gives remote storage providers the advantage of better reliability.
*Easier sharing
Thanks to the web based remote control software provided with many remote storage solutions, you can easily share some files with others through the internet. Many also allow several users to simultaneously see a file, which can be great if you’re giving a presentation or conference and need people to see the same documents at the same time.
*Low costs
Pricing models vary. Some companies provide a free service that comes with some restrictions, such as the total amount of storage provided or a limit to the size of each file stored, plus an upgrade that allows you to have better functionality. Others have a subscription based business model which usually ranges from $5 to $25 per month depending on features and space available.
Cons
*High bandwidth required
If you truly want to use an online file storage service as a “second hard drive”, then you will need a very fast internet connection to give you optimal performance. Uploading and downloading large amounts of data can take quite a while if your connection is not that fast, so of course it will be much slower than using physical media such as a USB flash drive.
*Security and privacy issues
While many providers take the security of their client’s files seriously, potential breaches and security threats could always be there. This is why those who are storing sensitive information, such as business users, need to choose an online data storage provider that is highly secure and uses encryption to protect the files. Choosing a reputable company, rather than a small start-up is also recommended if the security of your data is important to you.