Are online backup services safe?

Online backup services have become increasingly popular in recent years as more people store important photos, documents, and other files digitally. While online backups provide a convenient way to access files from any device, many wonder just how safe their data is being stored by third-party companies.

Table of Contents

What are the benefits of online backup services?

There are several key benefits that online backup services provide over local storage options like external hard drives:

Accessibility – Files stored in the cloud can be accessed from any internet-connected device, while external drives can only be accessed from one computer.

Offsite protection – Storing data remotely safeguards it in case of theft, fire, or hardware failure.
Automatic backups – Most services run regular automated backups in the background without user input.
File sharing – Online backups make it easy to share files with others via email or link.

Version history – Many services retain previous versions of files in case a mistake is made.
Extra features – Some providers include extras like cloud syncing across devices.

What security risks are associated with online backups?

While online backup services provide worthwhile benefits, storing data remotely does come with potential security tradeoffs:

Account breaches – Hackers may attempt to gain access to accounts by cracking passwords.
Intercepted data – Information transmitted and stored online can be intercepted if proper encryption isn’t used.
Vulnerable servers – Server security flaws could expose backups if services don’t follow best practices.

Insider threats – Rogue employees could improperly access user data.
Hostile governments – Backups stored in foreign countries may be exposed to surveillance.
Company instability – Services shutting down may lead to permanent data loss.

How can I evaluate an online backup service’s security?

When researching online backup providers, there are several key security features to look for:

Encryption – End-to-end and at-rest encryption prevents unauthorized access to data.
Protocols – Secure data transfer protocols like SFTP prevent data interception.

Authentication – Multifactor and biometric authentication reduce account compromise risks.
Certifications – Compliance with security standards like SOC 2 and ISO 27001 demonstrate audited security practices.
Access controls – Granular user permissions prevent unwanted changes and deletions.

Intrusion detection – Network monitoring tools to detect and block suspicious activity.

Checking independent audits and reviews can also reveal potential security weaknesses or incidents at a provider. Avoiding services with a history of known vulnerabilities is advised.

What encryption options should I look for?

Encryption is crucial for securing online backups. Here are some key encryption terms to look for:

TLS/SSL encryption – Secures data in transit between devices and servers. Should use high bit encryption like 2048-bit or higher.
AES encryption – AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) is an industry standard for encrypting data at rest. 256-bit AES is preferred.
Server-side encryption – Data is encrypted at the provider’s server before being stored.

Zero-knowledge encryption – Providers can’t access user data as only the user has the encryption keys.
Client-side encryption – Data is encrypted on the user’s device before transferring to the provider.

Services that offer zero-knowledge or client-side encryption give users the greatest control over data security since only they hold the encryption keys.

Should I be concerned about governments accessing my online backups?

Government surveillance is a potential concern when choosing an online backup provider. Factors that can influence risks include:

Location of data centers – Services operating centers in countries with strong privacy laws like Canada or Europe offer more protection.
Location of company headquarters – Countries associated with extensive government surveillance like China and Russia pose higher risk.

Zero-knowledge encryption – Preventing the provider from accessing data enhances privacy protections.
Warrant canaries – Some services publish notices if they have received government data requests.
Public commitment to fighting overreach – Choosing providers that legally challenge unlawful requests can help.

While risks vary between providers, nearly all face some threat of government requests for user data. Taking appropriate precautions like encrypting sensitive data gives greater assurance against unauthorized access.

How vulnerable are online backups to hacking attacks?

Hacking is a constant threat for any online service storing user data. Some key factors influencing vulnerability include:

Provider track record – Services with a history of breaches are higher risk.

Security layers – Multi-factor authentication, anomaly detection, firewalls, and other layers impede hackers.
Software updates – Regular software and security patch updates prevent exploitation of known flaws.
Employee training – Companies with strong security training have fewer insider threats.

Encryption methods – Zero-knowledge and client-side encryption limit data exposure if a breach occurs.
Cloud infrastructure – Services built on secure public cloud platforms like AWS gain added protections.

No service is completely immune from potential compromise. But those incorporating defense-in-depth security principles and following best practices have far fewer incidents. Checking a provider’s transparency reports detailing past security events can indicate their susceptibility.

What should I do if my online backups get hacked?

If your online backup account is involved in a security breach, here are some important steps to take:

Change your master password and enable multifactor authentication if not already in use. This prevents continued unauthorized access.
Determine what specific data was obtained by the hackers based on the service’s incident report. Different types of data have varying risks.

Scan your systems for malware that may have been distributed via the breach to compromise your local data.
Watch for any suspicious activity like unauthorized logins or password reset emails for any linked accounts. Enable added alerts where possible.
Consider alternatives if the breach severely impacts your trust in the provider. Transition backups and delete the compromised account.

Monitor your accounts and credit reports for signs of identity theft over the next 12 months. Consider credit freezes if highly sensitive info was stolen.

Staying vigilant in the aftermath of a breach limits damages. But preventing hacks through proper provider selection and smart security practices is the best defense.

What should I look for in a backup service’s privacy policy?

A backup provider’s privacy policy outlines how they are able to use, share, and store customer data. Key aspects to evaluate include:

Data retention – Are unused accounts and data deleted after a reasonable period? Shorter retention is better.
Data usage – Usage should be limited to providing the service. Avoid vendors sharing data for marketing or analytics.
Transfer/sale of data – Look for explicit prohibitions on selling or transferring data to third parties.

Law enforcement – Policies should limit data sharing only to valid legal requests.
Geographic restrictions – Data should not be stored or processed in countries with weak privacy laws.
Right to delete – Can users permanently erase data on request under privacy laws like GDPR?

Backups contain sensitive personal information, so restrictive privacy policies that minimize data use are essential. Transparent disclosures build trust.

What backup features help prevent accidental data loss?

Backups provide protection against hard drive failures and ransomware, but human errors like accidental deletes and overwrites are also a threat. The best services provide safeguards like:

Version history – Storing multiple versions allows undoing unwanted changes.

Recyle bin – Deleted files are retained for a period before permanent removal.
Granular restores – Recovering previous versions of specific files or folders.
Offline backup – Local external drive backups act as an additional layer of protection.

Robust access controls – Restricting permissions prevents unintended changes.
Activity log – Audit logs show all user actions to trace mistakes.

Mistakes happen, so look for services with multiple forms of data recovery and undo options. Relying solely on online backup increases exposure to permanent loss.

Should I be worried about backup services going out of business?

The shutdown of any business that maintains sole custody of your data poses a continuity risk. Here are some ways to mitigate concerns over a backup provider going under:

Choose established providers – Big names like Amazon, Google, Microsoft are highly stable.
Consider hybrid models – Use local external drives in addition to cloud backups.

Review financials – Select profitable providers with solid business models.
Ensure data portability – Can data be easily exported to move between services?
Ask about succession plans – What provisions exist to maintain service in an acquisition?

Explore insurance options – Some providers offer coverage against shutdown data losses.

Diversifying backup locations, monitoring company health, and having contingency plans if a transition becomes necessary can all help minimize disruption.

What should I look for in file sync features?

File syncing and sharing capabilities are common extras with online backup services. When evaluating sync, consider:

Cross-platform access – Can files be synced across Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, etc?
Selective sync – Options to only sync specific folders to save bandwidth and space.
Version handling – Does it maintain multiple file versions like Dropbox?

LAN sync – Syncing directly between devices on the local network avoids cloud transfer.
Blocked filetypes – Prevents syncing of unnecessary large files like videos.
Deleted file retention – Holding deleted files in the cloud for a period before permanent removal.

Seamless file access and collaboration across all your devices comes handy when integrated with backup. But certain sync behaviors like versioning and deleted file retention can consume cloud quota fast.

Should I consider adding disaster recovery services?

Basic online backup services focus on file and folder protection. Disaster recovery services go beyond that to capture entire system images for bare metal restores. Disaster recovery options like:

System imaging – Bootable VM replicas enable quick system recovery after hardware failure.

Failover – Cloud instances take over hosting in the event of server downtime.
Orchestration – Automating failover and recovery procedures for complex multi-server environments.
Backup testing – Tools to test restoration of server backups for reliability.

For individuals, disaster recovery services may be overkill. But they offer vital insurance against catastrophic data loss for businesses relying on always-on server uptime and availability.

What steps can I take to improve online backup security?

While security is mainly the provider’s responsibility, there are important steps individuals can take to enhance privacy and prevent mishaps:

Enable multifactor authentication – Adds an extra credential layer beyond just passwords.

Use strong master passwords – Lengthy, complex passwords are harder to crack.
Limit linked accounts – Reduce exposure of other accounts if credentials are compromised.
Watch third party apps – Be cautious when granting backup access to third-party apps.

Review permissions – Revoke any unnecessary access provided to other users.
Encrypt personal data – Use client-side encryption tools for sensitive documents.
Check logs – Review activity logs periodically for unauthorized access.

Being proactive about personal account security reduces both malicious and accidental data exposure when using online backup services.

Conclusion

Online backups provide convenient anywhere access to important files and protection against local loss incidents. But storing data remotely does introduce potential privacy and security tradeoffs.

Mitigating these risks comes down to selecting reputable providers with robust security practices, enabling protective features like encryption, and following prudent personal account hygiene. However, no service is completely bulletproof against determined hackers.

The benefits of secure offsite backups typically outweigh the risks for most individuals and businesses. But combining cloud backup with local redundant copies provides an extra layer of data protection and continuity.

Approaching online backup services with educated caution, reviewing provider histories, and taking ownership of personal security allows peace of mind that data is safe in the cloud.