data storage sites (Dropbox, Sugarsync, etc) (Flash, online, USB, document)

[KittenSparkles]

I've started looking into data storage sites such as Dropbox, Sugarsync, etc.... the idea is appealing, but I have a concern about my data being kept completely confidential. Of course the sites say that the data is encrypted, but, on some level I feel skeptical about that.

Wondering what people think about this issue? I'm torn.

[kazyn]

If you're concerned about your privacy, the last thing you need to do is give it to someone.


That being said, it couldn't bother me less that my data is out in the cloud somewhere. No one cares enough to look at it and if they do, who cares..?

[NJBest]

I use it for non-confidential data all the time.

If you're going to keep confidential data on there, you can surely use trucrypt for piece of mind.

[Lolipopbubbles]

I prefer a USB Flash Drive. That is much more confidential than using a website where someone somewhere has all my confidential information. Those little flash drives are easy to carry around and if you really need them to be safe, from something like a fire that can destroy what's on them, keep them in your fire proof safe box where you keep important papers.

The way I see it somebody somewhere not only has your important documents online but your name and at least some location of where you reside if not your name, address and anything else you have in your documents stored on that site. I often wonder about when scanning important confidential documents on our home scanners and having to use a program like adobe reader. Does the Company that runs, owns Adobe Reader have access to what is scanned and saved on our computers? It can't be free for no reason.

[Peregrine]

Originally Posted by Lolipopbubbles

I often wonder about when scanning important confidential documents on our home scanners and having to use a program like adobe reader. Does the Company that runs, owns Adobe Reader have access to what is scanned and saved on our computers? It can't be free for no reason.

No, they do not. It is free and it is free for a reason. The reason: there may come a time when you want to do something that the free version just will not do.
What are you going to do? Look around at the various alternatives to Reader? Or just upgrade what you have been using on your computer for years?
Boom, Adobe makes a sale. Good marketing.

[kazyn]

Be careful with the flash drives though, just last week a lady came in with a flash drive that she kept a lot of important things on and she accidentally broke the connector off of it. Luckily I was able to solder it together, it lasted long enough to get the data off, but she came very close to losing it all.

If it's important, always have a backup.

[macroy]

Most large cloud storage providers will have controls to safeguard your information as its pretty much the #1 concern for customers. That said, whether or not those controls are adequate is based on the individual owners of the data. Also keep in mind what services you're paying for (and how much you're paying).

I personally have no problem keeping archives of my tax records in the cloud - but I also encrypt them before I upload them. For me, I feel the setup provides more protection and is more cost effective than other options. On the other hand, my friend's sister refuses to archive her pictures on anything other than an external drive that she personally keeps.

[KittenSparkles]

I didn't know about encrypting documents before putting them in cloud storage - now that I know about that, I don't think I will have any problem storing things there.

thanks!

[KayAnn246]

I use Evernote and Google Documents for anywhere access to documents. I use Amazon for my music backup and Dell Safe Backup for everything else.

[wrcousert]

Nothing is secure. If the government or some other powerful entity wanted your documents, they have the means to get them, with or without your permission.