How a Remote Backup Service Works

Remote backup services are being used more frequently as an alternative for backing up crucial data and files. The term "remote backup service" refers to backing up your PC files to an offsite or remote location. Although businesses and large corporations have been backing up to offsite locations for years the newest innovation is backing up remotely using the Internet as the go between for backing up and securing your files.

If a remote backup service is a new phenomenon to you it may help you to know you are not alone. Since it is part of cloud computing which is relatively new some people have not heard of this method of backing up your files, let alone understanding how it works. Here is an easy and understandable overview of how a remote backup service works.

Understanding Remote Backup

Before explaining to you how a remote backup service works it is important to understand the remote backup process. When you save files on your computer they are saved to the hard drive which is the main hardware inside your PC that stores critical files. If you transfer the files from one PC that is connected to another one in the same room you are saving files via a local server. If you transfer your files over the Internet you are sending them to a remote server to be stored in an offsite location.

Using a Remote Backup Service

Online backup services provide you with a way to store your computer data and files to a remote server using the Internet. There are many different services available online for backing up your data to an offsite or remote location.

Here is how it works:

• You Choose a Service: Do your research and choose a offsite backup service that is trustworthy and reliable. There is a host of information available online for finding the right online storage service.
• Remote Server: The remote backup service will provide the remote server where your data will be stored. A quality service will provide more than one remote server in the event of a natural disaster. When you sign up with the service you purchase storage space on the remote server and the right to access it whenever you choose.
• Prepare Your Files: Once you establish an account with a remote backup service you will be provided with software that will serve as a dashboard for uploading and backing up your files. This will be your gateway to the remote server that is provided by the company.
• Backup Your Files: Once everything is all set you simply click on "backup" in the software dashboard and your files are on their way to the remote server. During the transmission process a quality backup service will provide encryption during transfer and then again during storage. This is a process of securing your data so no one else can read it.
• Access: Once your files are placed on the remote server you can easily access them from your PC dashboard or by entering a password in a computer from another location. You can also restore your files instantly from the remote server in the event you lose them.

So in a nutshell, the Internet provides the bridge for your computer data and files to pass over to reach the remote server for storage. This is the reason so many people find remote backup services convenient because they can access their files from any computer with an Internet connection.

Greg McKeon is a retired aerospace engineer and a firm believer in online backup solutions. He is also a writer for the popular online backup blog, TechWizBackup where you can read the latest online backup reviews and information for small business data backup.