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=====Cloud Storage Options=====
//Notes as of 12/17/2019, comparison info in table compiled by smi.\\
I'm always looking to add more storage options, comments on any of these, and help expanding this info//

====Why Use Cloud Storage?====
  * Back up files off-site
  * Access files from multiple devices (all of your PCs, Macs, phones, tablets)
  * Share files with trusted humans (e.g., spouse, heirs)

====What Is Cloud Storage?====
  * Disk space stored on the Internet and accessed via your connection to the Internet
  * Provided by several companies
  * Usually some space is offered for free and if you need more space there is a cost
  * The space (and its files) are protected by your login credentials
  * Some providers offer file encryption

[[https://www.enterprisestorageforum.com/cloud-storage/how-does-cloud-storage-work.html|details - enterprise storage forum]]

====Is the Cloud Secure?====
===What Constitutes Data Security===
  * Passwords. Can be hacked; so choose a password hard to hack with dictionary attacks, change it often to reduce exposure to brute force attacks
  * Data can be captured en-route.
    * Most storage services encrypt data while it's traveling back and forth
    * Look for "https" in the browser, means "secure http"
  * Don't give your password to anyone
    * Except your heirs
    * Not someone claiming to be from technical support, real tech support won't need password
  * Most hackers want best bang-for-the-buck; so use provider with good history of keeping data secure
  * Your data is not immune to search and seizure by local government entities (e.g., subpoena)
===Safe Cloud Storage Options===
  * Consider what you plan to store and how you need to access it
  * Consider how important it is to keep that information secure (medical history & home finances vs music files)
  * Safety features
    * Company with reputation for physical and network security
    * Multiple level redundancy (multiple copies of data prevent SPOF)
    * Redundancy across geographic locations (multiple locations prevent SPOF from nature)

[[https://computer.howstuffworks.com/cloud-computing/files-safe-in-the-cloud.htm|details - how stuff works]]\\
SPOF: Single Point of Failure

====Best Practices====
  * Use hardcore passwords
    * KISS is bad, complex is good (KICS?)
    * Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords. Which will be safer and harder to guess:  cgKZdxUhh4Bq (entropy 66.79) or Th1$C0mpu73rGr0up (entropy 24.17)
    * Use unique passwords for data in the cloud
    * Consider storing the first part of the password in a password manager and adding a set string when you enter it.
  * Use two factor authentication if possible
  * Backup files in different cloud accounts (don't put important data in just one place)
    * Best if you can store files offline as well as online/cloud (immediately puts data in two places)
  * Practice smart browsing (if you're accessing the cloud -- files, email, etc -- remember to log out and never save password to browser)

[[https://blog.malwarebytes.com/101/2016/04/should-you-store-your-data-in-the-cloud/|details - malwarebytes]]
====Selected Cloud Storage Options===
Also see these sites, they may have bargains:
  * [[https://www.techradar.com/best/best-free-cloud-storage-service|Tech Radar]] has really good info and compares prices for dozens of sites
  * [[https://www.tomsguide.com/buying-guide/best-free-cloud-storage|Tom's guide]]

//Here are some, do you know of others?\\ Do you have good or bad experiences with these?//
|< 100% 10% 5% 10% 8% 15% - 8% >|
^Provider^  free^  under $2/mo^  under $3/mo^more space options^notes^as of date^encryption^
|Dropbox|  2GB| | |2TB($9.99/mo) |[[https://www.dropbox.com]]\\ shared and 3TB and larger options available for added $\|8/9/2023|in-transit & at rest|
|iCloud |  5GB|50GB($0.99/mo)| 200GB($2.99/mo)| 2TB($9.99/mo) |[[https://www.icloud.com]]\\ Can share storage with your family\\ also can manage iPhone contacts etc| |in-transit & at rest|
|pCloud |  ? | | |500GB ($49.99/yr\\ or $199 lifetime)\\ 2TB($99.99/yr\\ or $399 lifetime)|[[https://pcloud.com]]\\ offer annual or one-payment-for-lifetime options\\ offer family sharing option for extra $\\ Crypto option available to automatically encrypt files on the cloud\\ Starts at 5GB free. Invite friends and get 1GB for each invite (to max 10GB),\\ with chance to win 500GB for a lifetime.|8/9/2023|in-transit & at-rest|
|OneDrive|  5GB |100GB ($1.99/mo or $19.99/yr)| | |[[https://onedrive.live.com]]|8/9/2023|end-end|
|Google Drive|  15GB |100GB($1.99/mo\\ or $19.99/yr)| | 1TB($6.99/mo\\ or $99.99/yr) |[[https://drive.google.com]]\\ For gmail messages and files\\ larger capacities available|8/9/2023|
|iDrive|   10GB|100GB $2.95/year\\ 500GB $9.95/yr\\ 1TB $19.95/yr | | 5TB ($59.62 first year or $119.25/2 yr)|[[https://www.idrive.com]]\\ They have many plans, best to visit them\\ Tom's has link for 10TB at $3.98/yr first year|8/9/2023|end-end|
|Mega| 20GB| | |2TB  €10/mo ≈ $10.57, €100/yr ≈ $106 |[[https://mega.io]]\\ Free forever with limited download transfer; earn achievements +5GB good for a year|9/26/2023|end-end|
|Box|  10GB| | |$60/yr for 100GB|[[https://www.box.com]]\\ Free has max 250MB/file upload limit\\ 100GB plan max 2GB/file upload|8/9/2023|
|MediaFire|  10GB| | |1TB ($70/yr)|[[https://www.mediafire.com]]\\ Ad-supported downloads|8/9/2023|
|Internxt|  10GB| 20GB $.99/mo or $10.68/yr| |200GB $41.88/yr|[[https://internxt.com]]\\ has lifetime option|8/9/2023|
|IceDrive|  10GB| 10GB $1.67/mo or $19.99/yr| |1TB $4.17/mo or $49.99/yr|[[https://icedrive.net]]|8/9/2023|
|Degoo|  20GB| | | |[[https://degoo.com/techradar]]\\ files deleted if you don't use the account for 90 days|8/9/2023|
|NordLocker| 3GB| | |500GB $35.88/yr|[[https://nordlocker.com/special/]]|8/9/2023|
|Backblaze| 10GB| | | |[[https://www.expressvpn.com/go/backblaze]]\\ tied in to VPN|8/9/2023|

2FA: Two Factor Authentication, id and password and code texted to phone.\\ 
[[https://www.itproportal.com/guides/best-cloud-storage-in-2020/|reference 1]]

===Notes===
  * [[https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/get-100gb-free-google-drive-space-chromebook|How to Get 100GB of Free Google Drive Space on a Chromebook]] -- note it's just for 12 months.  Also there are other offers, e.g., Disney+ Duet Display, more