Using Cloud Storage Services

I’ve been playing with the free versions of cloud storage solutions also called syncing services. For the most part these are interesting ways to back up your files, or sync files between two machines. I have a few things to say about these services which I will do after the break.

These things seem like a nice way to keep two computers in sync with the files. I think this is lazy on your part if you are entrusting your files to a 3rd party. I’m sure there is some sort of fine print in any agreement with these services that say they may at any time stop the service, so as far as a long term back up this is not what I perceive as that kind of solution. As far as keeping two computers in sync, they do that, but at significantly reduced speed.

Right now, I can sync my two computers over my Gigabit network a whole lot faster than I could by using a syncing service. With Chronosync I can schedule this sync to occur in the wee hours. In the morning I wake up to two computers that each are in sync with each other. I can also do the syncing in less than half an hour with both side having files that change over my network

They also claim that having your files on their servers allows you to access those files no matter where you are. I very rarely am anywhere where if I need a file from my home computer, that I don’t have my synced laptop with me. Maybe if I used Google Docs, I might need online storage, but I don’t.

I am a privacy advocate. I have to wonder how much a 3rd party organization will fight to keep your files from being seized without warrant. Probably as long as it does not cost them anything. That means the first sign of trouble they will hand over the files. At least some of the services indicate that your files are encrypted on their services. I don’t think they are doing any key escrow either, so all the police will get are encrypted files. Sugarsync uses AES 128 to encrypt your files, and there is no key retention. Still my files on my own devices with my own password which I do not write down is better security, in my opinion.

My conclusion is that while these services might be for some people, they are not for me. This post does not go into the file mangling that might occur, because the service thinks that everyone is going to use the same file system(read NTFS, or FAT32.) Right now, these services are not for me, or anyone like me.

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