What is cloud storage and how to use it
BY READERS DIGEST
1st Jan 2015 Technology
Cloud storage is a flexible and convenient way to store data with complete peace of mind. Whether you go with public cloud storage or private cloud storage, we tell you what you need to consider.
What is cloud storage?
Cloud storage enables you to store your data on hosted servers.
This means you can store all your digital things like documents, photos, music and videos remotely, without taking up physical space in your home or using up megabytes on your computer. There are two options available:
- Public cloud storage allows you to share hosting space with a number of other users—this is the cheaper option.
- Private cloud storage is the ideal choice for companies who want to have their data stored in their own environment.
- Hybrid cloud services are gaining in popularity and are mainly used by businesses. These are made up of a mixture of public clouds - like Amazon Web Services or Google Cloud - private clouds and on-site infrastructure
The servers are managed and owned by hosting companies, offering you access to your data via the internet. You get your own unique log-in information, such as username and password, and you can access your files anywhere at any time.
How does cloud storage work?
Cloud storage is very simple and easy to use.
Once you have registered and set up your account, you simply save your files via the internet using your unique username and password. This ensures your data remains safe, secure and inaccessible to anyone else.
Should you choose, you can put certain permissions in place and share your data with others. This makes it easy to share and view files in a collaborative working environment, or to share photos with your family.
What can you store on the cloud?
When you sign up to cloud storage, you can choose the amount of space you need. You can start with a small amount and increase the storage size as you need more space.
You can store anything digital: all your files, videos and pictures.
Whether you want to use this storage solution to store your family photographs or you want to use it to store your work documentation, you will find it will provide you with convenience and ease of use at all times.
Is it better than your computer or an external drive?
The answer is a definite yes.
Computers crash all the time. This is the most common cause of lost work and memories. Usually with little hope of a rescue.
External hard drives can still break, or fail. Here you also have the added risk of misplacing it o having it stolen.
In these disastrous events, you will lose all the information you have stored.
The pros and cons
There are so many advantages to cloud computing, from the ability to access your data from wherever, whenever, to not needing expensive external storage devices to store your favourite photographs. In addition to this, cloud storage is modular and flexible, so as you need more, you simply buy more.
The only real disadvantage is that you need internet access in order to access your files.
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