CLOUD STORAGE SERVICES - Aztcs.apcug

CLOUD STORAGESERVICES1

Web location for thispresentation:http://aztcs.orgThen click on"Meeting Notes"22

SUMMARYYou can use free cloud storage toprotect yourself from losing datafilesand tosynchronize data files between aserver farm and your computers,cell phones, and tablets.3333

TOPICS(Cloud) Storage Versus Backup VersusSynchronizationCloud Storage Services In GeneralApps for Cloud Storage ServicesThe "OneDrive" App in "Windows 10"Should Probably Be UninstalledSome Cloud Storage Services WithFree StorageSecurity Risks of Cloud StorageServices44

TOPICS (continued) Creating An Account At a CloudStorage ServiceTwo Ways to Upload and DownloadData Files and Photo FilesServices Provided By A CloudStorage Service55

TOPICS (continued) Files Stored Up In the Cloud VersusFiles Stored On a Local Hard DriveBandwidth and File Size LimitationsOutages of File Storage ServicesReport Cards To Compare CloudStorage Services66

(CLOUD)STORAGEVERSUSBACKUPVERSUSSYNCHRONIZATION77

STORAGE VERSUS BACKUP VERSUSSYNCHRONIZATION Use of these terms is imprecise The quotes on the next two slides aretaken chronization/ :88

STORAGE VERSUS BACKUP VERSUSSYNCHRONIZATION (continued) "Cloud storage" is Start of quote: like having an external hard driveonline that’s accessible anywhere. .Users typically store things in the cloudmanually. That is, they choose whenand what files to upload on the cloudon a one-off basis. End of quote 99

STORAGE VERSUS BACKUP VERSUSSYNCHRONIZATION (continued) "Cloud backup" is Start of quote: Cloud backup differs in that it’s usuallyautomated. Depending on the service,it can happen continuously or on a setschedule, often hourly or daily. Whena file is created or modified, thenewest version is uploaded and storedon the cloud.10 End of quote 10

STORAGE VERSUS BACKUP VERSUSSYNCHRONIZATION (continued) The term "Cloud synchonization".is used in any or all of three different ways:1. Storage of files in the cloud forcollaboration between multiple people2. Storage of files in the cloud for makingsure that they are exactly the same inmultiple devices3. Storage of files in the cloud to makesure that they are the same as the filesin a specific folder(s) in your computer1111

CLOUD STORAGESERVICESIN GENERAL1212

A set of interconnectedserver farms provided bythe cloud storage serviceconnects to the Internetwhich connects to yourcomputer:1313

Server Farm#1Server Farm#2Server Farm#3Your InternetConnection14

Interconnected ServerFarms Operated by aWeb-based CloudStorage ServiceYour InternetConnection15

Your Internet ConnectionComputer to Access A CloudStorage ServiceWebBrowser(Optional)( "Web(Optional) AppSpecial Folder Provided by theapp")to access Provided byCloud Storagethe App andtheService or aspecial icon erviceDeveloper16

Your Wi-Fi wireless Internet Connectionor Your Cell Phone's Data PlanCell Phone or Tablet to Accessa Cloud Storage ServiceWeb Browser app("Safari" in iphoneor "Chromebrowser" inAndroid phone)to access the cloudstorage service(Optional) AppProvided by theCloud StorageService or aThird-partySoftwareDeveloper17

APPS FOR CLOUD STORAGE SERVICES You can use as many cloud storageservices as you like.Most computer users use more thanone cloud storage service becausenone of the cloud storage servicesprovide very much online storagespace for a free account.1818

APPS FOR CLOUD STORAGE SERVICES(continued) However, you should not use morethan one of the apps that are providedby the cloud storage services that youuse in a Windows. or macOScomputer:1919

APPS FOR CLOUD STORAGE SERVICES(continued) The apps that are provided by thevarious cloud storage services areoptional:They cause a noticeable slow-down foryour "Windows." or "macOS"computer.If you do not want to incur this slowingdown of your computer, use a Webbrowser to access all of your cloudstorage services instead of thereapps.2020

APPS FOR CLOUD STORAGE SERVICES(continued) In a cell phone or tablet, it is okay toput in the apps for more than onecloud storage service:In a cell phone or tablet, it is hard touse a cloud storage service if you donot install either the app that isprovided by a cloud storage service ora third party app for connecting to acloud storage service.2121

APPS FOR CLOUD STORAGE SERVICES(continued) In a "Windows." or "macOS"computer, only install the app for onecloud storage service since the appsfor the various cloud storage serviceswill massively slow down yourcomputer, if you put in more than oneapp.2222

APPS FOR CLOUD STORAGE SERVICES(continued) Even if you put in only one single appfor a single cloud storage service into acomputer, you will notice a slow-downin a "Windows." or "macOS"computer2323

APPS FOR CLOUD STORAGE SERVICES(continued) If you install a cloud storage service'sapp into your computer and the slowdown is not acceptable to you, removeby app by using "Revo UninstallerPortable" as described athttp://aztcs.org/meeting le.pdf2424

THE "ONEDRIVE" APP IN "WINDOWS 10"SHOULD PROBABLY BE UNINSTALLED The "Windows 10" operating system isextremely aggressive about trying toget you to use it's bundled "OneDrive"appLike all cloud storage apps incomputers, this app uses lots of RAMand CPU cycles and the "OneDrive"app is optional and you can use your"OneDrive" cloud storage accountfrom any Web browser.2525

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THE "ONEDRIVE" APP IN "WINDOWS 10"SHOULD PROBABLY BE UNINSTALLED(continued) To do a clean removal of Microsoft's"OneDrive" app, you can use "RevoUninstaller Portable" as described athttp://aztcs.org/meeting le.pdf2828

SOME CLOUD STORAGE SERVICES WITHFREE STORAGE "Google Drive": 15 Gigabytes sharedbetween "Google Drive", "Gmail", and"Google Photos" Microsoft's "OneDrive": 5 Gigabytes "Dropbox": 2 Gigabytes Apple's "iCloud": 5 Gigabyte for users ofMacOS computers or iOS devices "box.com": 5 Gigabytes if you go tohttps://www.box.com/pricing/individual2929

SOME CLOUD STORAGE SERVICES WITHFREE STORAGE (continued) sync.com: 5 Gigabytes of "zeroknowledge" cloud storage3030

SOME CLOUD STORAGE SERVICES WITHFREE STORAGE (continued) According eproviders/3131

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SOME CLOUD STORAGE SERVICES WITHFREE STORAGE (continued) According google-drive-vsdropbox-vs-onedrive/#users3333

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SECURITY RISKSOFCLOUD STORAGESERVICES3535

SECURITY RISKS OF CLOUD STORAGESERVICES For each data file or digital photo thatyou store at a cloud storage service,you have to ask yourself if you acceptthe risk that an employee orcontractor that works for the cloudservice might copy or view the datafile or digital photo3636

SECURITY RISKS OF STORAGE SERVICESERVICES (continued) If an employee or contractor thatworks for the a cloud service providerviewed or copied your data or photofiles, it would be a violation of theemployee policies and contractualagreements of the management ofthe cloud storage service but being inviolation of policies and contractualagreements does not prevent suchactivities (i.e. Eric Snowden and37Chelsea Manning).37

SECURITY RISKS OF STORAGE SERVICESERVICES (continued) You have three options to protectyourself from the above-mentionedrisks:Option 1: Do not store files thatcontain "personally important"information at a cloud storage serviceOption 2:Encrypt the file yourself (such asputting a password on a Microsoft38"Word" or "Excel" file)38

SECURITY RISKS OF STORAGE SERVICESERVICES (continued) Option 3:Use a cloud storage service thatuses "Zero Knowledge" encryptionFor more details about "zeroknowledge" and the security risks ofcloud storage services that do nothave "zero knowledge", knowledge-in-thecloud-and-how-does-it-work/3939

SECURITY RISKS OF STORAGE SERVICESERVICES (continued) (Option 3 continued:)"Sync.com" offers 5 Gigabytes for free:They are "zero knowledge" meaningthat end-to-end encryption isemployed and the employees andcontractors of "Sync.com" cannotaccess or reset the user's passwords.The employees and contractors of"Sync.com" cannot copy or view theuser's stored files.4040

CREATING AN ACCOUNT AT A CLOUDSTORAGE SERVICE Which Web browser app should youuse?The more popular Web browsers willbe easier to use for creating a cloudstorage account:4141

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CREATING AN ACCOUNT AT A CLOUDSTORAGE SERVICE (continued) Reference for previous 3

CREATING AN ACCOUNT AT A CLOUDSTORAGE SERVICE You probably already have a cloudstorage account, if you use any ofGoogle's services such as Gmail or ifyou have an account at one of ofMicrosoft's services such as"outlook.com" or "live.com","msn.com", "hotmail.com","xbox.com", or"Skype"4444

CREATING AN ACCOUNT AT A CLOUDSTORAGE SERVICE (continued) If you have an account at any of thefollowing free "Google" services, youcan use the same username andpassword to get into your existingaccount at "Google Drive":4545

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CREATING AN ACCOUNT AT A CLOUDSTORAGE SERVICE (continued) If you have an account at any of theMicrosoft's services, you can use thesame username and password to getinto your existing account atMicrosoft's"onedrive.com" When you use a Web browser go toonedrive.comyou end up at47onedrive.live.com47

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CREATING AN ACCOUNT AT A CLOUDSTORAGE SERVICE (continued) If you are signing up for a cloudstorage account at a Web site and itasks you for a credit card number or aPayPal log in or a checking accountnumber, then you are signing up for apaid, not-free account:If this happens, quickly close out theWeb browser, usually by clicking onthe "x" button in the upper-right49corner of the browser window.49

CREATING AN ACCOUNT AT A CLOUDSTORAGE SERVICE (continued) Use a Web browser to go togoogle.comordrive.google.com Use a Web browser to go tolive.comoronedrive.com5050

CREATING AN ACCOUNT AT A CLOUDSTORAGE SERVICE (continued) Use a Web browser to go todropbox.com/basic Use a Web browser to go to apple.comto get an "Apple ID".Then use a Web browser to go to"icloud.com"5151

CREATING AN ACCOUNT AT A CLOUDSTORAGE SERVICE (continued) Use a Web browser to go instead of going to box.com) Use a Web browser to go tohttps://www.sync.com/free-cloudstorage/(instead of going to sync.com)5252

TWO WAYS TO UPLOAD ANDDOWNLOAD DATA FILES AND PHOTOFILES TO A CLOUD STORAGE SERVICE Method 1:Use a Web browser to access the Website of the cloud storage service Method 2:Use an app that is provided by thecloud storage service or a third-partysoftware developer5353

SERVICES PROVIDED BY A CLOUDSTORAGE SERVICE Storage of data files, photo files, andfolders that contain them.All cloud storage services can performthis very basic function.5454

SERVICES PROVIDED BY A CLOUDSTORAGE SERVICE (continued) The rest of the services that are listeddiffer between the various cloudstorage services:5555

SERVICES PROVIDED BY A CLOUDSTORAGE SERVICE (continued) Converting document files and photofiles to different formats on demand asa "Software as a Service" Web-basedservice that does not require any appson your local computer, tablet, or cellphone5656

SERVICES PROVIDED BY A CLOUDSTORAGE SERVICE (continued) Viewing and editing of data files anddigital photos that are stored at thecloud storage service as a "Software asa Service" Web-based service thatdoes not require any apps on yourlocal computer, tablet, or cell phone5757

SERVICES PROVIDED BY A CLOUDSTORAGE SERVICE (continued) Synchronization of files or digitalphotos between one or morecomputers, cell phones, or tablets ANDthe cloud storage service:Synchronization is useful if you need toaccess or edit a data file or photo onmore than one device. However, whena data file get infected by malware onone device, the same gets infected inall devices.5858

SERVICES PROVIDED BY A CLOUDSTORAGE SERVICE (continued) Share a stored folder or file as a link sothat others can download or view thestored file or folder: Share a file or folder as a passwordprotected link so that you have to givethe password to those whom you wantto download or view the stored file orfolder Share a file or folder as a link that is notpassword-protected5959