Back up your files to a secure remote server with Carbonite

Joe
Apr 9, 2009
Updated • Jun 8, 2017
Backup, Software
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7

Everyone should back their data up in case their computer suddenly fails or is even lost or stolen. Many will back their data up on mediums like external hard drives, but it requires a certain amount of disciple to remember to hook your laptop up to one.

Another problem with backing data up on such mediums is that they can be corrupted or lost. Since the advent of fast internet connections, it has therefore become possible to back data up on to online backup services.

There are two main online backup services that I use: Mozy and Carbonite. Both offer a similar service: they upload files deferentially and incrementally (as they are updated or made) to a server and those files can then be retrieved. Both are now also available for Windows and OS X. Prices are similar, although Mozy does offer users 2GB free of charge.

Carbonite

Carbonite offers a 15 day free trial, where you don't even have to input your credit card information. This, like a regular subscription, allows you an unlimited amount of storage. Unlike a paid user, free trial users can't upload music or movies, quite understandably. Paid users have no issue though.

Carbonite also provide remote access, so you can access your backed up files anywhere. This is useful if you need a file off your home PC at work, for example.

Uploading is fairly fast. After I configured my firewall and ports correctly, I managed to get a couple of gigabytes uploaded in one night. That is impressive considering I'm on a relatively slow (2Mbps downstream) ADSL2 connection.

Carbonite's customer support solved any of my problems but I felt a lot of the dialog was scripted and for some reason it all seemed a little impersonal. Still, they provided me with solutions in a reasonable timeframe in a courteous manner.

Now, pricing. Carbonite is $59.99/year and Mozy (for home users) is $4.95/month.

Summary
Back up your files to a secure remote server with Carbonite
Article Name
Back up your files to a secure remote server with Carbonite
Description
Joe takes a first look at the online backup services Carbonite and Mozy, and explains why he selected Carbonite for his backup needs.
Author
Publisher
Ghacks Technology News
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Comments

  1. Jane said on April 30, 2009 at 9:59 am
    Reply

    Carbonite sounds great but it lacks some important features for me, since I mostly backup external HDD, network drives and USB drives from both my Pc and Mac. Most providers don’t have these features but this wasn’t a problem for SafeCopy (www.safecopybackup.com). It allows me to do the above features plus I can share the same account for both my Mac and Pc. I’m very happy with it and it’s worth checking out.

  2. howard said on April 10, 2009 at 6:25 pm
    Reply

    I think Carbonite is the best since they have remote access. You can get a Carbonite Offer Code and save even more money:
    at http://www.subscription.com/carbonite/

  3. Itionis Guy said on April 10, 2009 at 2:10 am
    Reply

    Yeah I think carbonite is great too, but dosen’t this worry anyone else?
    http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10202498-92.html

  4. David Levin said on April 10, 2009 at 1:19 am
    Reply

    I’ve ready many reports that Carbonite’s “unlimited” is not really unlimited. Apparently “unlimited” means that if you go over what they consider “normal” storage your account will be revoked. Can anyone else confirm this? I found a bunch of posts on this by searching for Carbonite reviews.

    1. Martin said on April 10, 2009 at 9:58 am
      Reply

      I wrote a nice article in the past titled when unlimited means limited: https://www.ghacks.net/2007/04/03/when-unlimited-means-limited/ Not about Carbonite though as they probably did not exist back then.

  5. Alan said on April 10, 2009 at 1:09 am
    Reply

    After using Mozy, I found JungleDisk and Crashplan to be much better products.

  6. FreeVideoKeno said on April 10, 2009 at 12:35 am
    Reply

    I will try Carbonite, just because the name!

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