Whether you’re backing up files or migrating your data to a new PC, a reliable cloud service is a must. Here are my top picks.
The best way to prevent data loss is to back up your files onto a cloud storage service.
On top of safeguarding documents and photos, you can access content across multiple devices.
I explain key terms, compare popular services, and even recommend third-party options.
One of the most important (and harshest) lessons I’ve learned as a tech writer is to always back up your files. Sooner or later, the worst will happen — you’ll lose a project you’ve invested a lot of time and energy into, either due to a random glitch, file corruption, or a hard drive failure. Few things feel worse, and I say that from personal experience.
That’s where cloud storage comes in. Instead of relying on your computer’s local drive, these services save important files, documents, and other forms of media to secure servers online. Not only do they protect your data from hardware failure (or theft), but they let you access it from anywhere around the world: a convenience that is second to none. Do backups really matter?
Absolutely. I learned the hard way how devastating data loss can be. There’s nothing worse than losing precious photos or a document you’ve been working on for weeks, just because an external hard drive gave up on life. That’s why cloud storage is so valuable — it gives you the peace of mind that your files are safe in the cloud, even if your computer cuts out.
A piece of advice I follow is the 3-2-1 rule. It suggests keeping three copies of your files: one on your PC, one on an external drive, and one on a cloud service. You may also see an expanded versions of these rules, but the idea remains the same: don’t rely on just one thing.Which cloud services are the best?
Microsoft, Google, and Apple all have their own cloud storage platforms (OneDrive, Google Drive, and iCloud, respectively) and give users a small amount of free space. It’s a nice perk to get whenever you sign up for an account on their respective platforms. While all three perform the same basic function, they’re not all equal. In my opinion, Google Drive is the best.
Google’s service comes out on top because it offers 15GB of free storage for backing up photos, videos, documents, and more. In comparison, both OneDrive and iCloud only provide 5GB of free space, which fills up fast.
