Mozy: The Affordable Backup Solution

I have been using Mozy for my online backup for almost a year now, and am quite happy with the service. In my search for an online backup solution I had a few requirements that needed to be filled. The requirements were:

• Must be affordable. Many online backup solutions offered a flat fee for specific storage, and then a specific amount for each additional GB. Since I have over 100 GB to backup I needed somethings that was affordable, preferrably a flat rate for all storage.
• Must be able to backup files from an external hard drive. Since all of my data is stored on an external hard drive, I needed an online backup solution that could access the external hard drive.
• Must run silently in the background. Most, if not all, online backup solutions load and run an application in the background that will monitor the files you want to backup. I needed a solution that provided an efficient backup application so it wouldn't interfere with running applications.
• Must transfer the data securely. Security is a big issue and all files that are backed up must be encrypted to ensure my data can't be read or used.
• Must be quick to upload and download. I currently use broadband that is 10 Mbps download and 640 kbps download. I need a solution that take full advantage of the transfer rates.

I found that Mozy met or exceeded all of my requirements. I get unlimited online storage space for a very affordable $4.33/month with their two year plan of $103.95. I can backup every single one of my files. I have even backed up files that are 12 GB in size without any issues.

I also didn't have any issues with backing up my files from an external hard drive. Mozy's online backup service was easily able to read my external hard drive. I have tried other online backup solutions that weren't compatible with external hard drives, but Mozy had no issue.

Like many other online backup solutions, Mozy required me to download and install a small application. The application loaded in the background with Windows, and monitored specific files and directories I specified. When any file within those directories changed, it was automatically uploaded to their server. I can also suspend the backup if I didn't want it to run.

In regards to the upload, Mozy's backup solution encrypts the files on my local machine using 448 bit blowfish encryption. The encrypted files are then uploaded to Mozy over a secure SSL connection, making it even more secure. The files are also stored encrypted on the Mozy's servers. This prevents anyone but me from viewing my files.

As for uploading the files, it makes use of almost all the possible bandwidth. Since I have a 640 kbps upload speed, it would usually upload at around 614 kbps. When I use the Internet, it doesn't interfere because it drops down the amount of upload bandwidth it uses.

I have had no issue with restoring any of my files, which I find to be very important for online backup solutions. An online backup solution, or any backup solutions for that matter, must have a good restore process or it would be useless. Mozy appears to pass the restore test.

Overall I have been very pleased with Mozy's online backup solution. They have met my requirements and I can feel safe knowing my data is backed up and protected.