Is it Safe to use Cloud Storage to Store Your Files?
When you save a file on your computer you know the file is stored on your computer’s hard drive, most likely in a folder that you created yourself. When you use Cloud Storage to store your files, it is actually stored on a network of computers. You connect your computer to the network. “The cloud” is not just a few servers, but a network of many servers typically stored in a very large warehouse, or several hundred large warehouses. These warehouses are guarded and managed by companies such as Google (Google Docs), Apple (iCloud), or Dropbox.
When you save your files to the cloud, you can access them on any computer, provided the computer is connected to the Internet and you’re signed in to your cloud service. For example, if you use Drop Box, you can access your Drop Box account on any computer that is connected to the internet.
The data you save to the cloud is far more secure than it is on your own hard drive. Cloud servers are housed in warehouses away from most employees, and they are heavily guarded. In addition, the data in those servers is encrypted. If you store your files on your computer, a malware infection could expose all of your personal data to cybercriminals, and even leave your files vulnerable to threats.
The risk with cloud storage is privacy.
Even if data isn’t stolen or published, it can still be viewed. Governments can legally request information stored in the cloud, and it’s up to the cloud services provider to deny access. Tens of thousands of requests for user data are sent to Google, Microsoft, and other businesses each year by government agencies. A large percentage of the time, these companies hand over at least some kind of data, even if it’s not the content in full. If you have nothing to hide, cloud storage is a good option especially if you want to access your files from multiple devices.
So, yes, your data is relatively safe in the cloud, likely more so than on your own hard drive. In addition, files are easy to access and maintain. If you’re ready to store data on the cloud, then you should follow these best practices to help keep your data on the cloud secure:
- Use strong passwords: Long passwords that contain letters, number and special characters are best. Also, don’t use the same password twice.
- Practice smart browsing: If you’re accessing the cloud on a public computer, remember to log out and never save password information to the computer.