In today’s market, computers come with an ever-expanding amount of file storage capability. Sometimes, however, it is essential to find other means of storage, especially for backups. You then have the choice between purchasing an external hard drive or storing your files online. External hard drives can get rather expensive and can be a hassle to carry around if you travel a lot. This then leaves online file storage as the most viable option. Using online storage on the other hand is much slower and depend on internet connection speed. There is also an element of security involved as you will be sending files to a server hosted by a company. The risk i minimal unless you have files that extraordinary interesting or valuable. Encryption the files is a good way to minimize the risk and just makes you fell better. In this article we will provide some important criteria for selecting an online file storage and feature 10 of the best available to try and subscribe. Enjoy!

Advertisement

Why Use an Online Storage Service?

If you’ve ever lost a disk or jump drive, or had your computer crash and important files vaporized, you know the benefit of having a backup of your files. Online storage services allow you to backup your files on the Internet where they are safe and easily accessed.

What to Look For in an Online Storage Service

There are many online storage services on the Internet so it’s wise to evaluate your storage needs and the quality of the service before creating an account. Some services offer a free membership so you are able to test drive the service before purchasing an account.

Below are the criteria that should ne used to evaluate online storage services:

Feature Set

Practical features make uploading, storing, accessing and sharing your files easy. Online storage services should offer remote access, public and private file sharing, scheduled backup and a drag–and–drop window.

Security

Security is exceptionally important when storing data. Online storage services should offer encrypted file transfer and password protection.

Storage Space/Price

The top online storage services offer a lot of storage space for a reasonable price, free trial accounts and don’t charge setup fees.

Ease of Use

Online storage services should be user–friendly and not require a lot of instruction in order to upload and access files. Anyone should be able to learn the basic functions of the service in minutes. Useful features could be Bulk download and upload as it saves you a lot of clicking if you have many files.

Help/Support

Good help and support is necessary with any service. Online storage services should provide self–help through FAQs, user manuals and tutorials. They should also provide customer support through email, phone or online chat.

Online Files Storage Storage

1. DropBox

File Sync

Dropbox allows you to sync your files online and across your computers automatically.

• 2GB of online storage for free, with up to 100GB available to paying customers.
• Sync files of any size or type.
• Sync Windows, Mac and Linux computers.
• Automatically syncs when new files or changes are detected.
• Work on files in your Dropbox even if you’re offline. Your changes sync once your computer has an Internet connection again.
• Dropbox transfers will correctly resume where they left off if the connection drops.
• Efficient sync – only the pieces of a file that changed (not the whole file) are synced. This saves you time.
• Doesn’t hog your Internet connection. You can manually set bandwidth limits.

File Sharing

Sharing files is simple and can be done with only a few clicks.

• Shared folders allow several people to collaborate on a set of files.
• You can see other people’s changes instantly.
• A “Public” folder that lets you link directly to files in your Dropbox.
• Control who is able to access shared folders (including ability to kick people out and remove the shared files from their computers).
• Automatically create shareable online photo galleries from folders of photos in your Dropbox.

Online Backup

Dropbox backs up your files online without you having to think about it.

• Automatic backup of your files.
• Undelete files and folders.
• Restore previous versions of your files.
• 30 days of undo history, with unlimited undo available as a paid option.

Web Access

A copy of your files are stored on Dropbox’s secure servers. This lets you access them from any computer or mobile device.

• Manipulate files as you would on your desktop – add, edit, delete, rename etc.
• Search your entire Dropbox for files.
• A “Recent Events” feed that shows you a summary of activity in your Dropbox.
• Create shared folders and invite people to them.
• Recover previous versions of any file or undelete deleted files.
• View photo galleries created automatically from photos in your Dropbox.

Security & Privacy

Dropbox takes the security and privacy of your files very seriously.

• Shared folders are viewable only by people you invite.
• All transmission of file data and metadata occurs over an encrypted channel (SSL).
• All files stored on Dropbox servers are encrypted (AES-256) and are inaccessible without your account password.
• Dropbox website and client software have been hardened against attacks from hackers.
• Dropbox employees are not able to view any user’s files.
• Online access to your files requires your username and password.
• Public files are only viewable by people who have a link to the file(s). Public folders are not browsable or searchable. 

Mobile Device Access

The free Dropbox application for iPhone, iPad, and Android lets you:

• Access your Dropbox on the go.
• View files from within the application.
• Download files for offline viewing.
• Take photos and videos and sync them to your Dropbox.
• Share links to files in your Dropbox.
• Export your files to other applications.
• Sync downloaded files so they’re up-to-date.

2. Box.net

Sharing and managing content

Organize and view all of your content online in a familiar file and folder structure. Share content with direct links to files and folders, turn any folder into a public webpage in one click and create widgets to share files on a company web page or blog. With the Box Business edition, get additional security with 256-bit SSL encryption and set passwords and expiration dates for file and folder access.

Project collaboration and workflow

Turn any folder of content into a shared online workspace and invite others to view, edit, or add their own files. Exchange feedback using the commenting and discussion features. Create wiki-style web documents to share meeting notes, ideas, and manage projects. Keep workflow organized by assigning tasks to approve, review or update files. With the Box Business edition, you can track file versions, customize your collaboration

Content search and discovery

Always find the content you’re looking for. Discover new and updated content with a real-time activity feed on file uploads, downloads and comments, as well as individual activity feeds on Box user profiles. And with the Box Business edition, find the right file with Box’s full-text search engine that lets you search within documents, presentations, spreadsheets, PDFs, and more.

Sync desktop files to Box

Want to access your Box files right on your desktop? That’s what Box Sync is all about. You can also sync your desktop files directly to Box. More good news: Box Sync lets your whole team do the same, so edits and updates appear on everyone’s desktop – automatically.

Mobile access

You can view and share files on-the-go using your mobile device. Use your mobile browser to access Box’s mobile site at http://m.box.net. You can also install a web icon on your BlackBerry; or download our free iPhone and iPad apps to preview documents and media files, exchange comments, monitor file updates, and more.

Extensibility and third-party apps

Box’s open platform lets you do more with your content. Tailor Box to create the additional functionality you need by using integrated third-party services to edit documents, fax agreements, sign contracts, print and ship using FedEx, share files on professional networks, within CRM systems and more.

3. Mozy

Mozy offers a number of backup solutions to fit your individual needs. For non-commercial backup of your personal files, including music, photos, home videos, and personal tax records, check out the simplicity of MozyHome.

If you’re a professional looking to back up business data, financials, and administrative files for multiple users, MozyPro is your best solution.

4. A Drive

Universal Access

All ADrive users will have universal access to their files. Conveniently access your ADrive files wherever and whenever you need as long as you have an Internet connection.

Storage Capacity (per account)

Registered ADrive users will have at least 50GB of online storage for free. Storage and backup account sizes are based on your ADrive storage plan. View our storage plan chart that illustrates the size of your storage and backup account.

Cloud Storage

ADrive’s web-based storage service allows for simple, device-less storage of your valuable data. Save on data center costs by utilizing ADrive’s technology for redundant, secure data storage and backup. Easily scale your storage as needed.

WebDAV

You can conveniently map your ADrive account directly to your computer without having to sign in to our web interface to manage, upload, or download your files. Any files you manage using WebDAV will also be accessible when using our web interface.

File Uploading

Complete Directory and Folder Uploads.
Upload complete directories or folders to your ADrive account using our Java uploader. Maximum file size is 2GB per upload.
Single File Uploads
Files can be uploaded individually using either our Java uploader or our simple http uploader. Maximum file size is 2GB per upload.

International Character Support

Due to the demand and popularity of ADrive across the world, we have implemented the support of international characters in file names making it more convenient for our international use.

5. Elephant Drive

• Secure 128-bit SSL transfer
  Information sent from you to ElephantDrive is protected by the same system that banks and financial institutions use to secure their transactions.
• Advanced 256-bit AES encryption
  Before transfer, your files are encrypted with the preferred algorithm of the U.S. government (approved for “Top Secret” use by the NSA).

• Innovative delivery technology
  Our engineers have designed an advanced, proprietary system for maximizing your available bandwidth while minimizing the effects on your system.
• Differential backups
  ElephantDrive recognizes which files are new or have been modified so that after your first backup completes, all future backups will go much faster.
• Multiple devices and multiple platforms
  Works with laptops, servers, external storage devices, MACs, PCs, and most server operating systems.
• Powerful administrative controls
  Create independent sub-accounts with different access privileges (Business Plan required), and monitor your account activity and data usage.

6. FlipDrive

FlipDrive is your Internet Hard Drive

It is your own virtual online storage space, where you will be able to store, access, share, and backup all your data. Securely store your files, contacts, photo albums, favorite sites, calendar, and other information on FlipDrive. Protect your data from computer crashes and viruses. FlipDrive also lets you share all your data and control who has access to it. Share your files, photo albums, favorite sites, and any other data virtually with anyone. You chose which data to share and with whom. FlipDrive puts you in full control of your data.

Store Data Online

Store all your data online in one convenient and secure location. Only FlipDrive allows you to store all your data (your documents, photos, and any other files, plus your contacts, favorite sites, daily tasks and events). All your data stored in one convenient location. There is no need to jump from website to website, to access different information, when you can do it all here at FlipDrive.

Accessibility

Our Easy to Use interface gives you instant access to all your data no matter where you are. Access your account from any Internet connected computer. There is no need to carry around memory cards, hard drives, CDs, or any other external storage devices. By uploading your data to FlipDrive, it goes wherever you go.

7. Carbonite

Save your images, your documents and maybe even your business with Carbonite. This online storage service can automatically backup all of your important files and you can access them from any computer with Internet access.

This online storage service can help you automatically store the most current versions of your files securely. All files are transferred using the industry standard SSL secure encryption method and they provide redundant encryption and storage, to ensure that your files are extra safe; even Carbonite staff cannot see the content of your files.

Carbonite does not offer a variety of storage packages; they only offer one type, unlimited. However, you can choose from a one, two or three year plan for a very low and highly competitive price.

Unlike some online storage services, Carbonite can perform automatic backups, you can set it to backup daily, by the time or on a specific day. You can even tell it when not to perform backups so it does not over utilize your Internet transfer speed when you need it most, like during working hours.

8. StoreGate

Storegate is your very own Internet hard drive which makes it easy, efficient, and secure for you to store, access, share and protect all type of digital information that you have in your computer, mobile phone or digital camera.

9. IStorage

• Use iTunes file sharing to transfer files directly to your device via USB cable.
• Any Mac OS X, Win. XP, Win. Vista and Win. 7 computer can connect to the iPad running iStorage to use it as a network drive.

• Built-in viewer supports PDF, MS Office (Word, Excel and Powerpoint) and Apple iWork files. To read other documents simply print them in their application as PDF files and copy them to iStorage.
• Access FTP, WebDAV and MobileMe iDisk easily. If you use more than one online storage, iStorage will handle all of them.
• Perform even multiple transfers and editing sessions simultaneously.
• Download, upload, open and edit files remotely.

10. IBackup

IBackup guarantees superior performance, security and ease-of-use for all of its desktop applications, compared to other online storage providers. Extensive enterprise-class feature set including Snapshots, which enable you to view older copies of data, Network Drive for easy drag-n-drop operations, Sub-Accounts, WebFolders, sharing and collaboration options, make us a leading player in the business of online storage market.

11. SugarSync

Secure, Automatic Data Protection

As you work, your files are continuously backed up to your secure, personal SugarSync website using SSL encryption. Once in our servers, all data is then encrypted with 128-bit AES.

Anywhere, Anytime Access

If you’ve got an Internet connection or a smart phone, you’ve got a mobile office. So take your BlackBerry to Bangkok, open your laptop in London – or just stop by an Internet café in Culver City. Wherever you go, your files will be waiting for you.

Sync Without Limits

With SugarSync, you can sync as many computers and mobile devices as you want on a single account — and changes saved on one computer are instantaneously synced among the rest.

Seamless Collaboration

Easily send files of any size to anyone, from anywhere. We’ll save your file versions and make sure the right data goes to the right team member, and they can send back an updated document in just a few clicks.

File Versioning

Have you ever saved over a document and immediately wished you hadn’t? With SugarSync, we’ll save, sync and back up the five latest versions of any given file — automatically. In a tough spot, it can be a real lifesaver.

Enjoy Your Photos and Music On the Go

We know there’s more to life (and backup) than work. That’s why SugarSync automatically organizes your photos into online albums for viewing and sharing, and allows you to stream your music limitlessly to any browser or iPhone.

Cross-Platform Functionality

You can use SugarSync on any modern version of Mac (including Snow Leopard) as well as any Windows operating system.

Customer Phone Support – Business Account

Our professional customer support agents can answer any questions you have about our Business service, from setup to setting storage limits. The call is free and it’s open to all Business Account administrators.

Administrative Control – Business Account

Our powerful administrative tools make it easy to customize your account, enable or disable users, and set storage limits for all your employees. And with pooled storage and centralized billing, keeping your whole company in sync is simpler than ever.

12. Badongo

What is Badongo?

Badongo is the world’s most sophisticated online storage, management and publishing system for personal content.
Individuals worldwide can easily upload any type of large file (photo, video, music, business documents, etc.) from any type of computer. Once a file is uploaded, Badongo provides users with the ability to manage and manipulate their own files before securely sending to friends, family or colleagues of their choice. In addition, users are offered quick text links which can be easily copy and pasted directly into email and instant message conversation for fast viewing and download of their file.

Badongo also boosts user interaction with a set of innovative widgets that can be embedded into a user’s blog, forum, website. In addition Badongo offers Applications that are compatible with today’s most popular Social Networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Orkut Hi5 etc…

Badongo’s enormous server farms currently feature over 500 terabytes of redundant storage and are connected to the internet via several blazing fast gigabit connections. Badongo brings a final end to the frustrating constraint of email and messenger file size limitations

13. File Savr

FileSavr’s goal is to simplify the process of file hosting. They provide fastest and easiest file hosting service as an alternative to sites like MegaUpload and RapidShare. Unlike the other sites, we do not force users to sign up for paid accounts to download files, and do not show long countdown timers, pop up ads, or any other spam related activities. Their goal is simple, to offer the most basic file hosting service so you can share your stuff quickly.

14. File Dropper

FileDropper.com was created as a fresh alternative for online file storage to sites like MegaUpload and RapidShare. Unlike those sites, we do not reel the user in and make them wait for annoying countdown timers. We do not hide the download link with aggressively placed ads.

Their goal is simple, to offer the most basic file hosting service so you can share your stuff quickly.

15. File Den

• Secure Storage
• Worldwide File Access
• File Sharing Made Easy

16. Easy Share

• Save precious time
• Time is money, why waste it on slow downloads? Spend quality time on downloaded files instead of lost hours on slow downloads.
• 2 Over 250% increase in download speedUse a download manager and increase the download speed significantly. Moreover, you can download multiple files simultaneously.
• 3 On spot activation
• Your new Premium membership is activated on the first download

17. File Factory

FileFactory is an award-winning online file sharing service.

Share all your files at FileFactory and never have to worry about disk space or
bandwidth again. Share files with your friends, family, customers, or thousands
of people worldwide.

If you’re looking for an easy, secure and stable file sharing service you will not find better. For years FileFactory has been delivering
excellent file sharing services, and we’re now ranked in the top 500 websites of the world. Over 3 million members cannot be wrong!

Their free file sharing service is great, but if you would like even more features like super-fast downloads, more storage space and
absolutely no ads, you can upgrade to a FileFactory Premium account.

Resources

Truecrypt – A great way to seal off your files before sending them to online storage. It is free, open source and very secure…