New Google Drive Backup Feature Reminded Me That I Don’t Have a Backup Plan
If you don’t have an external cloud storage plan ( which you really do ), Google’s latest update for its cloud storage service, Google Drive, is ready to fix your gaping hole in your data backups, letting you choose which folders on your device you want to back up to. Google Drive instead of forcing you to put files in one Google Drive folder. This is called “Backup and Synchronization”.
Backup and sync is just backup (r)
The Google option is a pretty good replacement if you’re not ready to dive into something like Crashplan or Backblaze , two highly regarded data backup services. The Backup & Sync app is an update for Google Drive and Google Photos that provides backup and sync services (yes) with any folder on your computer.
Backing up your files isn’t too difficult with a dedicated cloud backup service, but backing up with a single folder cloud service gets a bit tricky as you usually have to move files or mess with a download location in your web browser to get things there.
Backing up and syncing means you don’t have to think about moving files from your local photos folder to Google Drive, just choose which local folders you want to sync.
$ 10 backup is enough
Google’s current storage plans include 1 TB of storage for a reasonable $ 9.99 per month. It matches the Dropbox 1TB Plus plan for the same price and better than the Box Personal Pro plan, which only gives users 100GB for $ 9.99 a month. Microsoft OneDrive online storage gives you 1TB for $ 6.99 a month and syncs across all your computers like Google Drive.
Google says the June 28 update is primarily aimed at consumers, and G Suite users will have access to a Files-On-Demand feature called Drive File Stream in the near future. It’s similar to Microsoft’s recently announced file-on-demand service on OneDrive and lets you transfer the files you want to access that are stored in the cloud.
Follow backup rule 3-2-1
When people ask if they should have some kind of online backup plan for their devices, I say yes. Backup plans not only give you peace of mind, they allow you to find previous versions of files in case you lose, lose, or inadvertently change one of them. But like anyone giving advice, I rarely follow my own, and relied on a combination of cheap cloud storage, a network-attached storage device under my coffee table, and praying that my SSD never died.
Of course, this is a terrible way to manage data and hardly a “solution”. If you want to be better than me, follow these file backup guidelines, often referred to as the “3-2-1” rule:
1. Keep at least three copies of your data. Three copies of your data means that the original file, along with two copies, is stored elsewhere.
2. Use two (different) types of storage for backing up your data. Storing all of your backup data on the same type of storage (such as an internal hard drive) can destroy both backups in the event of a disaster. If you store two copies locally, be sure to back up to different media – for example, one internal hard drive or one external one. At the very least, you can grab one and leave in case of emergency.
3. One backup must be deleted. A home fire can destroy both your internal hard drive and everything else that stores your data in your home. That’s why keeping your backup in a separate location (like a cloud storage) is the best way to keep your data safe.