How to Use Free Online Storage to Back Up Data

Avoid the Stress

If you would like to back up your data with online storage--there are a number of websites that provide free storage services for images, MP3 files, text files or any other data you want to back up. This article provides an overview of some select ones.

Things You'll Need

• An Internet connection

Instructions

1. Box.net offers more than just free storage. You can also use it to share files with other people. If you sometimes need to share or exchange files with someone else, box.net does both jobs well: backing up and sharing. You can upload individual files or entire directories. This site is well-regarded.

2. The basic plan at ADrive.com is free. ADrive also provides file sharing. You can upload individual files or entire directories.

3. ElephantDrive offers free storage for accounts up to 2 months. After that you pay about $5 a month. This site offers file-sharing services as well.

4. File123 offers a free basic plan. In addition to normal file transfers for backup, File123 lets you email in the material you want to back up.

5. SteekR is specifically for storing music online. Once you've stored music files at SteekR, you can listen to them anywhere.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the site to be sure you are getting secure file transfers and redundant backups on more than one server.

• The sites that do charge for online backup and file sharing offer additional services and usually only run about $5 a month. If you are willing to pay, that widens your choice of sites.

Resources

• Box.net
• ADrive.com
• Elephant Drive
• File123
• SteekR