Cloud Hosting

Image credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty

If you dont have an offsite cloud storage plan (and you really should), Googles newest update to its cloud storage service Google Drive is ready to fix your gaping data backup hole by letting you pick which folders on your device youd like to back up to Google Drive instead of forcing you to put the files into a single Google Drive folder. Its called Backup & Sync.

Microsofts further blurring the distinction between local and cloud storage with a file-syncing

Googles option is pretty good substitute if youre not ready to dive into something like Crashplan or Backblaze, two highly rated data backup services. The Backup & Sync app is an upgrade to Google Drive and Google Photos that provides backup and syncing (duh) services to any folder on your computer.

Backing up files isnt too complicated with a dedicated cloud backup service, but backing stuff up with a single folder cloud service gets a bit more complicated since youd normally have to move files or mess with the download destination in your web browser to get stuff in there.

Backup & Sync means you wont have to think about moving files from your local photo folder to your Google Drive, just choose which local folders you want to sync.

Googles current data storage plans include 1TB of storage for a reasonable $9.99 per month. Its on par with Dropboxs 1TB Plus plan for the same price, and better than Boxs Personal Pro plan that grants users only 100GB for $9.99 monthly. Microsoft OneDrives online storage gives you 1TB for $6.99 per month and syncs with all your machines, just like Google Drive.

Google says the June 28 update is primarily geared to consumers, and G Suite users will have access to a files on-demand feature in the near future called Drive File Stream. Its similar to Microsofts recently announced On-Demand Files service in OneDrive, and lets you stream files you want to access that are stored in the cloud.

When people ask if they should have some sort of online backup plan for their devices, I respond with an emphatic yes. Not only do backup plans grant you piece of mind, they allow you to find previous versions of files in case you misplace, lose, or unintentionally modify one. But like anyone who gives advice, I seldom follow my own, and have depended on a combination of cheap cloud storage, a network attached storage device under my coffee table, and praying my SSD never dies.

Of course, thats a horrible way to manage data, and barely counts as a solution. If you want to be better than me, follow these best practices for backing up files, often called the 3-2-1" rule:

1. Keep at least three copies of your dataThree copies of your data means having the original file along with two copies stored elsewhere.

2. Use two (different) storage types to backup dataKeeping all your backup data on the same storage type (like an internal hard drive) could kill both backups in case of disaster. If youre storing two copies locally, be sure to back them up on different storage mediaone internal hard drive, one external drive, for example. At least you can grab one and go in case of emergency.

3. One backup should be offsiteA house fire can wipe out both your internal hard drive as well as anything else youve got storing your data in your home. Thats why keeping a backup in a separate location (like in a cloud storage service) is the best method for keeping data safe.

Link:
Google Drive's New Backup Feature Reminded Me I Have No Backup Plan - Lifehacker