Online security.QA I know online backup Using the Web to store copies of data for backup. There are numerous providers on the Internet that charge for storage, and fees are typically based on capacity. Online backup services provide offsite backup, which is essential for disaster recovery. See backup types. companies have been around for a while, but I still get nervous about leaving my information floating The time it takes to make information available to employees or to the public after it has been captured. around, especially with identity theft and information theft so rampant. Is this really a safe way to store my personal information? --J. Harris Phoenix Well, the short answer is, if something makes you nervous, don't do it. Like you, I wouldn't hesitate to keep copies of work files, digital images, or videos online, but not sensitive or important documents. That being said, online storage solutions have come a long way since their early days and now offer secure means of backing up and accessing their data. Companies such as xDrive (www.xdrive.com) and Box.net (www.box.net), among others, offer a host of features in addition to regular storage options (which range from individual to enterprise solutions, and from free to roughly $200 per year). My current fascination is with a service called Omnidrive (www.omnidrive. com), which was still in beta at press time. Omnidrive provides 1GB of free storage and paid solutions up to 1TB (terabyte; call for pricing) for Mac and PC users. The service also supplies tools such as Zoho, which lets you edit Word and Excel documents; Tangler for posting media to Websites and blogs; and Snipshot for image editing Changing or improving graphics images. It typically refers to bitmapped images rather than vector graphics drawings. Using an image editor, images can be modified by an artist using pen, brush, airbrush and other "painting" tools. , Be advised, though, the free storage option does not provide SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) The leading security protocol on the Internet. Developed by Netscape, SSL is widely used to do two things: to validate the identity of a Web site and to create an encrypted connection for sending credit card and other personal data. encryption The reversible transformation of data from the original (the plaintext) to a difficult-to-interpret format (the ciphertext) as a mechanism for protecting its confidentiality, integrity and sometimes its authenticity. Encryption uses an encryption algorithm and one or more encryption keys. (security as you move your files). If you want your data secured, consider a paid service.--S.A.D. Mail your technology questions to Cyberwise, BLACK ENTERPRISE 130 Fifth Ave., New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , NY 10011 or send an e-mail to donaldsons@blackenterprise.com. |
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