online backup – Page 2 – Soteria Cloud Backup News

I’m selling my computer – How do I wipe the hard drive before I sell it?

We often talk about doing online backups to ensure that you don’t lose files in the event of a computer malfunctioning or going missing, but what if you are choosing to sell your laptop or computer? Many people who are upgrading to a better system will want to make some cash selling their older unit and this can be done, but first, consider the data that you have been storing on it over the years.

Before you start any “cleaning” of the contents on the machine, we recommend doing an online encrypted backup. Once that is done, you’re ready to begin deleting/wiping!

I’m selling my computer, can I simply delete my files and empty the recycle bin?

You might think that deleting all your files and then emptying the recycle bin is enough, but it isn’t. Not everyone that buys a second hand PC or laptop has good intentions.

If you happen to be the unlucky one who sells their machine to an opportunistic criminal, a lot of your sensitive data could be at risk. A cybercriminal will know just how to recover your files and all that sensitive information that could lead to identity theft and online fraud.

Now that my data is backed up online, what do I do?

Once you are satisfied that all of your treasured images, music, documents and files are stored by doing an online cloud backup, with a reputable service provider such as Soteria, take the following steps (these apply to Windows 7 users – Mac users should follow the steps here):

Remove all your programs: you will have undoubtedly installed licensed programs that you wish to continue using. You should always keep all original installation discs in a safe place so that you can use them on your new machine. Some software providers have instructions on how to transfer the program and license to a new machine. Visit their websites and follow their instructions on how to reinstall the software on your new PC or laptop.
Uninstall: It’s then time to remove any remaining programs from your machine. Go to the “Control Panel” / “Programs” and then click on “Uninstall a Program”. Now you can remove all the programs that you don’t want the new user to have access to.
Permanently delete: to speed up the process, it’s a good idea to move all your files from the pictures, documents, music, and all other folders into the recycle bin and empty it. This won’t be the last step. Unfortunately, apps and programs recycled on a computer can be fairly easy to recover. Download the Eraser Tool software here. Once it is downloaded and installed on your computer, open the program and select all the files that need to be deleted and click “delete”. This will permanently remove these files from the machine.
Clear your history: make sure that you remove your browsing history, cookies, saved passwords and auto form fill history from your device. Before you do this, visit all your regular sites and social media platforms such as Facebook, email, Twitter etc. Make sure that the “automatically sign me in” option is deselected and that you are signed out of each account. Now you can delete all history. You can do this by going to the “Control Panel” and clicking on “Internet Options”. Then select “Clear History” and make sure all the relevant options are selected.

After all this is done, you are ready to hand your computer over to the new owner with complete peace of mind that your deleted files and data will not be recovered. Of course, you will still have full access to your data, thanks to the convenience of online backup!

10 Reasons Why You Need Cloud Backup and Online Backup in South Africa

Cloud backup – also known as online backup in South Africa, is essential for your business and we would like to share with you just why it is such an important transition for any organisation! Below is our pick of the top 10 reasons:

Increased cyber crime means that no connected device is really safe. Any data stored on your computer hard drive or device is at risk.
Crime happens and for this reason, backing up your important or sensitive data to a flash drive or removable hard drive is simply unsafe. The unit could be stolen or even lost, taking your data with it.
Data backed up in the cloud, will be available to you with a restore if you ever need to restore your data. If you are backing up to a removable device and this device gets lost or stolen, then it’s gone and you cannot restore your data from the cloud.
Data stored to a hard drive can be password protected but that’s not 100% safe. Online backup offers the extra security of 256 bit data encryption and 24/7 monitoring for potential breach or risk.
Cloud backups are scheduled and automatic. This means that as long as your device is connected to the internet, the backup will be done automatically for you – one less thing for you to remember to do each day.
If your computer or device malfunctions or is stolen, you can quickly and easily restore all the data at no additional cost!
Online backups give you the option to set your own encryption password, which only you know and can use if you need to restore your data later on. With Hard drive backups, you can’t limit access with passwords.
Online backup is a budgeted cost and cheaper than buying hard drives. Chances are that you will run out of hard drive space eventually. The external hard drives have a limited life span which means that you will spend more money on buying new ones. In the long run, backups offer a much more affordable way to store your data.
Save on storage space. The beauty of online backups is that they are digital and stored in the cloud. A cloud backup takes up no physical space on your work premises and you won’t have to waste time planning safe storage space for your backups / hard drives.
Recovery of data is guaranteed. When using hard drives or other devices for storage, you stand the risk of damage and malfunction negatively impacting on your data. Damaged hard drives can prove impossible and extremely expensive to recover. When you backup to the cloud, these are things you won’t have to worry about.

With cyber crime constantly on the rise, it’s important that you don’t leave yourself and your business open to potential threats. Protect the integrity of your business and ensure that your data doesn’t fall into the wrong hands or get lost forever. Find out what a good data backup package features right here at Soteria Cloud.

6 Reasons to Use an Online Backup Service in South Africa

Just about every document, memory and personal details that we have is in digital format these days. If you have your important data stored to your devices, it is vital that you regularly backup the information.

A few years ago it would have been perfectly acceptable to regularly back your data up to removable hard drives or discs which are then stored in your IT department or home, but that leaves data at risk.

With high speed internet and a number of reputable online backup service providers, the opportunity to back up your data safely, securely and quickly, off-site and out of harm’s way, is a reality and in most instances a better option.

Some people still grapple with the concept of online storage. If this is the case with you, here are a few reasons why you might want to consider moving away from a hard drive backup for all your home and business data.

Mother Nature

The risk of a natural disaster destroying your data is negated. Storing data to hard drives and flash drives means that your information is exposed to the dangers of floods, fires and similar. Chances are that your hard drive isn’t going to make it if a fire breaks out in your office. Backing up online safely stores your sensitive and valuable data where no natural disaster can touch it: in the cloud.

Hardware failure

When your backups are stored in the cloud there’s no way of losing your data due to malfunction or damage. Hard drives aren’t fail proof. You might take the time to religiously backup your data. only to find that your hard drive gives up a few years down the line. And while data can sometimes be recovered from these devices, it costs money and sometimes proves fruitless.

Theft

With online backup the possibility of theft becomes a non-topic. Data thieves might just steal the whole hard drive and then you’re in trouble. Maybe it’s not even someone after your data. It could just be a criminal stealing the hard drive itself. Either way, your data will be lost and you will have no hope of recovery!

Petty Crime

You won’t feel like you’ve lost everything if / when your laptop or computer is stolen. As mentioned in the point above, theft is of real concern in South Africa. Laptops and computers are prime targets of criminals as they are very rarely recovered in this country. With your data stored in the cloud, at least you won’t have lost everything if you are a victim of common South African crime.

Convenience

Forgetting to backup is not something you ever have to worry about if you choose the right service provider. If you’re backing up to an external device manually and you have a busy week, it’s easy to overlook a backup and let’s face it, as luck usually has it, that will be the week that your computer breaks down or ransomware locks up all your files. With online backup services, your data will be backed up automatically for you at a certain time on certain days. All you have to do is let it do its thing.

First backup seeding

With a locally based backup service provider such as Soteria Cloud, you can send your first backup to us on a disc or hard drive and thereafter, schedule your updates online (once we have uploaded your information to the cloud).

At Soteria Cloud we cannot stress enough how important it is to ensure that your data is backed up and encrypted, before it’s too late. We have various packages available for home and business and invite you to chat to us more about the backup features available to you.

How online backup is better than cloud storage

Many people assume that online backup and cloud storage is the same thing and it’s easy to see why. It can be a modern dilemma trying to decide which service you actually need, if you aren’t familiar with the differences between the two, and they are significant. Online storage / cloud storage and online backup are designed to do different things. Let’s take a look at each:

Cloud storage

This online service is designed to allow users to save and share select photos and documents. With this service, you will select which files are to be stored and saved. You can update or delete them as you see fit as well as access them from other devices. Most people opt for cloud storage when they want to free up space on a drive.

Online backup

This service is designed to offer users protection of their files and data – automatically. With this service, the files on your computer will be routinely backed up to the server at a time specified by the user, daily. Should you lose an important document or data due to system malfunction, human error or even theft you can easily restore the data from the saved versions online.

Features of online backup:

Automated backups of your business data
After first full backup – incremental backups
Quick and easy restoring of lost data
Access files remotely
Encrypted and secure

What makes online backup better than cloud storage?

Cloud storage is quite simply a manual method of storing files and data in the cloud, but online backup takes things a few steps further. Once you have chosen all your important documents and folders and files to backup, an automatic online backup of the selected files and folders in these locations is done on a regular basis. And your backup is encrypted so no-one can access your files. The files that you store on your computer will be automatically copied and kept safe and secure (it’s best if the data is encrypted in the process – which is what Soteria online backup does) on a remote server – ready for you immediately should you need to restore or retrieve data that your computer has lost.

Why you should opt for online cloud backup instead of cloud storage

Cloud storage doesn’t have a replica of all of your system files and folders as in most instances you will select to store only files that you access often.
Not all devices offer restore options and you might not be able to restore data from cloud storage across a variety of platforms when it has been encoded.

Want to learn more about the great features of online backup? Get in touch with us at Soteria Cloud and we’ll provide you with all the information and advice that you need!

Why online and cloud backup is better than an external hard drive

We all know that backing up our important data is vital, especially in the business environment, but with a variety of options available, how do you know which one is the best for you? One of the most popular choices is often between online backups and external hard drive backups. Many people worry that backing up online poses additional security risks when in fact, more often than not, it is the safest method of backing up – and it has certainly proven itself in the past few years. While external hard drives have had their time and place over the years, at Soteria Cloud we strongly believe that online backup is far better than external hard drives. Let’s take a look at why:

Why External Hard Drives Are NOT the Ideal Backup Option

While a hard drive can always be with you, it’s not necessarily a good thing. An accident, theft or even a fire can cause irreparable damage.
Hard drives aren’t invincible and neither is your data when it is backed up to one. Your hard drive can fail or it can be damaged and along with it; your data, both of which need to be replaced.
Data recovery from a damaged or malfunctioning external hard drive can be expensive and sometimes even impossible.
Hard drives need to be physically linked up to the machine you are working on in order to access the backed up data. This can be quite problematic if you don’t have the required hard drive on you, or if you need to access the data unexpectedly / remotely.
The security of your data is your responsibility and unless you are particularly knowledgeable about IT, encrypting data can be an overwhelming task. Data saved on an external device that can be accessed by anyone stands to face a variety of security risks if it isn’t encoded.

Why Online Backup IS the Ideal Backup Option

Online backup offers exceptional security features such as 256 bit data encryption and 24 hour security monitoring.
Your backed up data is always safe! There’s no need to worry about losing important data if your device is stolen or becomes damaged. You can still retrieve backed up data even if your hard drive fails / malfunctions.
It’s affordable. Online backups cost in the region of R2 per Gig, which can be budgeted for upfront. Investing in hard drives that might need replacing along the way is an unknown expense.
Quick and easy data backup restores. Any and all lost files can be recovered within a couple of hours by contacting a local South African support team.
Everything is automated so you won’t have to remember to process backups. Simply set up the system to an automatic schedule and as long as you are connected to the Internet, your backup will be handled for you.

At Soteria Cloud we offer affordable, encrypted online backup options to our clients. We invite you to learn more about our business online backup packages as well as our personal home online backup packages.

Online backups and cloud backup myths

If you spend any time listening to what people think they know about cloud backups and backups in general, you are likely to hear many misconceptions. The fact that you are reading this article and listening to others means that you are, in all likelihood looking for a cloud backup or storage solution. With all the conflicting information out there, it’s hard to know where to turn or what to believe.

Common opinions and myths vary, but most include the following:

Backing up to the cloud takes too long.
Cloud backups aren’t affordable.
Backed up data is not safe / secure online.

At Soteria Cloud, we work with cloud storage and backup procedures on a daily basis and have in-depth knowledge of the systems and processes involved. Of course this puts us in a great position to debunk some of the myths out there. Let’s take a look at some of the most widespread misconceptions:

Misconception 1: Cloud storage and cloud backups are the same thing

Wrong! Cloud backups are when 2 files are in use. One file is stored on your computer and the other is stored on an external server, drive or similar. When one file is edited or changed, the other is kept as a backup. If you aren’t looking to keep 2 files and only want to store the information off your device or system, that is cloud storage, as it’s not a file that you are constantly accessing.

Misconception 2: Cloud backups take forever

To a certain extent, this can be true. Your very first backup can take quite some time, as it’s the first time you are sending all of your files to the server. However, after the first backup is done, incremental backups can be automatically set which means that only the files that have been edited or changed will need to be backed up. This saves a great deal of time and doesn’t take forever!

Misconception 3: Cloud backups aren’t secure / safe

Untrue! While some cloud backup service providers might offer backup systems that aren’t secure, not all services are the same. Take the Soteria Cloud backup service that we offer for both home and business customers for example. This service includes data encryption which means that you, and only you, can actually access / translate the information that is stored in your uploaded files. We use 256 bit military grade encryption. You don’t get much more secure than that!

Misconception 4: Cloud backup is expensive

It certainly used to be in the early days of online backup when it was a costly additional security layer, unaffordable to most businesses. Fortunately, like most successful concepts, online backup became more widespread as the costs of uploading the data dropped significantly. That said, the costs do still tot up, but compared to the loss of all your data or a data breach – these costs are almost trivial. How much you are willing to pay for cloud backups should be directly related to the value you put on your data to your business.

Misconception 5: File sync is the same as backup

Not true! By now you might have noticed that people confuse the various forms of online backup. While some service providers might combine file sync and file backup (at an additional cost of course), they are two different features:File backup – a copy of the file is uploaded, usually to the cloud or server and can be retrieved at anytime if accidentally deleted or lost.

File backup – a copy of the file is uploaded, usually to the cloud or server and can be retrieved at anytime if accidentally deleted or lost.
File Sync – the same files can be synced between multiple users, often overwriting the original file.

Although syncing is faster, it carries more risks of accidentally deleting a file or folder and local encryption can be complicated.

While these are just a few of the misconceptions that people have, there are many more – and we advise you to take them all under consideration! If there is something that you have heard about cloud storage and backups that confuses or concerns you, we welcome you to get in touch with us. We will happily offer you transparent and unbiased information and advice. Get in touch with the Soteria Cloud backup team today!

Why secure backup is necessary for remote offices and employees with remote offices

Recent studies involving 1 250 participants have uncovered an intriguing statistic; SA’s economy could be boosted by as much as R17billion by remote offices and employees working in the cloud. The survey gathered results and responses from industry professionals such as software engineers, doctors, lawyers, accountants and architects.

It comes as little surprise that more and more businesses are adopting this idea of a more “mobile” way of working and many employees are jumping at the opportunity to work remotely or flexibly, provided they are given the correct tools to do so. Similarly, there are many reasons why a company can benefit from remote offices, or making use of employees with their own remote offices, tapping into the skills of personnel perhaps unable to work in a formal office.

We take a look at some of the benefits that those working remotely and utilising the Cloud can experience:

Increased mobility – a work from “anywhere/ anytime” scenario.
Increased productivity – the time that employees would usually spend travelling to and from work can now be spent on more productive tasks.
Greater level of access to documentation – no wasted time travelling to an office or a client to gather paperwork and exchange information. Everything can be accessed, edited and stored online.
Reduced transport and travel costs.
Scalability – cloud computing affords small business access to technology that would previously only have been available with big budgets.
Safe and secure online backups – this means that you never have to fear losing data or important documents due to filing mishaps, computer malfunctions and similar. All sensitive data is backed up to a secure server where it can only be accessed with the right password.

What tools does one need to work remotely with success?

Sharing information and keeping all departments and key personnel up to date and on the same page, should be your first area of concern.

How do you do this? Online backups are the solution. With an online backup service, a company can ensure that all of its documentation is backed up automatically on an ongoing basis. Cloud backup offers the peace of mind that your sensitive, encrypted and password protected data is safe and secure.

Considering running remote offices or working on a more flexible basis? Learn more about our online backup packages and services today.

Why choose Soteria for Online Cloud Backup?

We don’t mean to blow our own trumpet, but Soteria Cloud should be your first and only option when it comes to online cloud back-ups. Why? Well, first and foremost, we use local SA servers and that means that you will enjoy faster connections for your backups. You might think that overseas online backup deals will be cheaper for you, but the risk simply isn’t worth it. Firstly, your backups and restores won’t be as fast and you will also open your data up to the possibility of being accessed by the NSA in the US or other government bodies.

At Soteria Cloud, we like to keep things local and that means that our support services are offered locally too. When you need some advice or have any questions, you will reach one of our South African based consultants who are knowledgeable on all things data-backup related.

One of the greatest conveniences of backing up with Soteria Cloud is that everything is automated. Once the software is installed, your data will back up automatically for you. Of course you can adjust the settings to do the backups as required and according to your own convenient schedule.

Encryption seems to be the slogan for safe online backups. If your online backup provider isn’t offering you encryption, they aren’t offering you any real security. At Soteria Cloud we will encrypt your data with 256-bit military grade encryption. This is just one way we are ensuring that your data is kept safe and sound and only you have access to it.

If you are worried about how much of your internet cap your first backup will use, don’t be. We offer an initial seeding courier service where a hard drive will be delivered to you for your first initial backup. We will upload all your data to the system and thereafter, the backups from your computers will be incremental which means you shouldn’t use up to much of your internet data at all.

Cross platform compatibility ensures that you can enjoy our backup services on any machine, laptop or desktop. Our software also works seamlessly on any version of MS Windows, Mac OS X and all Linux variants.

Choosing Soteria Cloud for your online backups is the logical solution! Take a closer look at our packages and rates by visiting our packages page!

Cloud Backup – Why do I need it?

Cloud Backup is the way forward. We have heard it all too often and still many people resist – until it is too late that is. Too many people think that data loss is something that happens to everyone else – until it happens to them. If you find yourself fobbing off online back up companies and thinking that you are quite meticulous in backing up your most important information yourself, think again. Just when you least expect it, data loss can strike, and for a variety of reasons (computer malfunction, theft, human error etc).

One question you should be asking yourself is “am I doing enough to protect my private data and information?” – This question begs to be answered honestly and you can only do so once you have considered all the data loss possibilities.

Of course you back your data up to your external hard drive or to your USB, but do you back everything up? And do you remember to backup any changes or additions weekly and even monthly? It’s easy to put things off when you run out of time until ‘tomorrow’, and then simply never get them done. What if something happens and you lose data between your monthly and weekly data backups? How will this affect your company and its profits? These are all important questions to be considered.

It is essential to ensure that you do regular and thorough backups of all the files on your system. You should also make sure that the backed up files are accessible and have actually backed up – sometimes technology can fail us.

Another thing to think about is security. While you are toting your backups around on your flash drive or external hard drive, how safe is the information? Anyone can gain access to the files and even worse; they could be stolen or lost. What if your hard drive or flash drive suddenly malfunctions and it is the only copy that you have of your backup?

Many people have these thoughts in the back of their mind and the thought of purchasing dedicated backup software is off-putting as they think it will be too involved or technical. Well, now it doesn’t have to be. With Cloud Backup from Soteria you can experience complete peace of mind. The backup software will automatically do incremental backups of your data, which means that your changed files and added information will be backed up regularly. What do you have to do? Nothing at all! Simply have your computer logged into your backup service and connected to the internet…and go about your day as usual. What’s more is that the backed up data is encrypted, which means that it will be kept safe and sound from prying eyes and third parties.

What more could you ask for from a backup service? Why do you need Cloud Backup? You need it because it will change the way you store your important data and it will add a level of security to your business that would otherwise be difficult to achieve.

To learn more about Cloud Backup and how you can benefit from it, contact us at Soteria Cloud today.

What is initial seeding for your online backup?

Let’s face it; backups are not something to be negotiated on. If you want the peace of mind that comes with the knowledge that your business won’t suffer the crippling damage of data loss, it’s essential to backup to the cloud. You might have concerns about bandwidth usage and your internet cap when backing up data, which is why we would like to tell you more about initial seeding

In it’s simplest form, Initial seeding is the first backup that you do. This will undoubtedly be your largest backup as it is the first time you are duplicating your information to the server. At Soteria Cloud we offer our clients convenient options to consider:

If you have available bandwidth usage you can do the first backup yourself from your own office via the internet.
If you prefer to reduce and save on your bandwidth usage, we can do the initial backup for you, via our data centres.

How does it work?

Quite simply really! All you need to do is provide the Soteria Cloud personnel with your address for the Courier Company and the approximate size of your backup. We will then ensure that a suitably sized external hard drive or USB flash drive is sent to you, along with instructions on how to do your initial seed. Once we receive your data, we will back it up to the cloud.

It takes approximately 48 hours from receiving your data to have it backed up and ready for you. Importantly, you won’t need to worry about doing this going forward. Once your initial seeding is complete you can backup directly from your computers with the peace of mind that only an incremental update will be done. This means that only the changes to the data you are backing up will be sent – now you are really bandwidth wise!

At Soteria Cloud we want to ensure that each and every one of our clients is provided with a quick and convenient way to backup important data and information. Our cloud backup options offer clients the opportunity to backup to the cloud and have their data encrypted for further protection against third parties. To learn more about our cloud backup packages, contact us at Soteria Cloud today.