Microsoft forecasting clouds - for everyone.

If one wants their backup on a server somewhere in the world so be it.
If one wants to trust the people somewhere in the world with their data, so be it.
What ever trips your trigger.

For me my data is safer under my care (TLC). I trust me.

andrew129260 said:

Lady Fitzgerald said:

andrew129260 said:

Please tell me you are joking.......that is not even close to the same thing.

Sounds the same to me.

Sigh* You people just do not get it. And I am not going to bother trying to explain it over and over. A lot of others here have easily explained multiple good reasons as to not use these services. It's fine if you like cloud backups, but I do not and will not trust them.

Case closed.

Just because you say the case is closed doesn't mean it is. The cloud is a tool and, just like any other tool, there are incorrect, and even dangerous, ways to use it and correct, safe ways to use it. Cloud technology is still in its infancy and has a lot of maturing to do. I can remember when people were doing the same naysaying about the internet, about how dangerous it was, and that they would never use it.

The cloud is nothing but a way of utilizing the internet to connect between a user and remote storage, software, etc. True, there are companies and government who want to abuse the cloud concept (and some already are) to further their own ends, be it for profit, privacy invasion, and/or whatever. It is up to the users to pick and choose how they will use the cloud, including not to use it, and ensure that their own interests are protected. There is nothing wrong with the cloud itself anymore than there is anything wrong with the internet.

margrave said:

What's the problem with putting data in the cloud? If it's proprietary and it needs protection, negotiate that into the business contract. (That's pretty standard, anyway.)

And ... you encrypt the filesystem on your desktops and laptops, right? Do likewise with your cloud data!

It's nice to know that someone here "gets it". The misconceptions in this thread are staggering.

So let me put it this way then.

You encrypt your data, and store it locally. Doesn't it make sense to do that more then just giving your external hard drive to a stranger with it encrypted and them promising not to crack the encryption and look at the data-I mean hold onto it for you?

Anything that can be encrypted can be UNencrypted.

andrew129260 said:

So let me put it this way then.

You encrypt your data, and store it locally. Doesn't it make sense to do that more then just giving your external hard drive to a stranger with it encrypted and them promising not to crack the encryption and look at the data-I mean hold onto it for you?

There isn't any point in using encryption that can be cracked. However, there are encryption standards available to anyone that can't be cracked by even the NSA.

Your analogy doesn't hold water. Sure, you can hold onto your data yourself but a local disaster (fire, flood, theft, mechanical failure, user error, malware, etc.) can wipe out that data. The same can happen if your data is only stored offsite in someone else's hands. The idea is to store data locally and a duplicate offsite so that, if one is lost, you still have the other. The more copies you have scattered about (not all in one location), the better (up to a point; too much can be too expensive and too cumbersome to maintain). As for the stranger part, there are companies that have been proven over time to be trustworthy and reliable. You do have to do your homework.

Frankly, I'm stunned by the amount of prejudice and ignorance being displayed in this thread on the subject of cloud computing coming from people I know are intelligent.

Quote: There isn't any point in using encryption that can be cracked. However, there are encryption standards available to anyone that can't be cracked by even the NSA.

That is a myth. Which they would like for you to believe.

I am stunned to think that people actually believe encryption is 100% safe.

Nothing is ever 100% safe. There is no such thing as perfect security ever. There will never be uncrackable encryption. Humans made it, Humans are not perfect. As long as Humans make the encryption, it can be cracked by humans. Even if the company you give your data to cares about it and tries to protect it, it does not stop others on the internet from getting it. Encryption is a deterrent, (like locking your car, having an alarm) not a complete solution. It does not stop them as they can break a window.
If you have offline data, you do not need to worry about any of that. Why take the risk?

That is like saying (since you guys seem to like car analogies) I will lock my car and set the alarm. But I am parking it in a dangerous neighborhood (the internet). But because of my alarm, I will be safe. (encryption, backup company)

Anyone who knows a thing or two finds that hilarious.

Why not park it in a good area of town, - (offline-external hard drive) or better yet in front of a police station if its easily available? - (external backup in fireproof safe)

HammerHead said:

Quote: There isn't any point in using encryption that can be cracked. However, there are encryption standards available to anyone that can't be cracked by even the NSA.

That is a myth. Which they would like for you to believe.

Really? Can you back that up?