Cloud Backup As A Security Zone

[bainbrig]

I'm thinking of signing up to a cloud backup service (Spideroak) where I intend to keep my secure documents.

Seems very sound - they have a 'zero knowledge' policy, so your data is encrypted on your own PC/Mac before being uploaded to their servers, so even if they had a peek in your digital 'safe' all they would see would be encrypted stuff.

Anyone know any reasons not to use such a service? Reservations? etc...

BB

[HansUrbancka]

Yes. It's Not a free service. Furthermore, what guarantee is there that the Cloud is as safe as we are made to believe.

Hasn't your Internet Service Provider got a free Cloud.

Hans.

[Buenchico]

I know nothing about Spideroak but (much as I dislike the company) PC World repeatedly wins the 'Best Buy' awards for cloud storage in the technical press. (They also fully encrypt all your files):
https://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/cloud-1315-commercial.html

[bainbrig]

Yes, it’s about £4 a month.

I suppose I’d rather trust a small company dedicated to security than Apple.

[bainbrig]

Not sure whether PCWorld’s system encrypts at your desktop or at their server - but I will have a look at it.

[bainbrig]

PCWorld might win the awards in the technical press, but not in "Which?" There, it comes a fair way down their list of cloud backup/storage products.

Also, couldn't glean from their website whether it is a 'zero knowledge' system like SpiderOak - like most bigger companies, they try and do their support by extensive FAQs rather than individual answers. (I emailed SpiderOak on Saturday morning about a specific point, and got a reply from an individual on Sunday morning - can't complain about that service. And I haven't even signed up for it yet!)

Still, it is a bleedin' minefield, isn't it.

BB