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Frequently Asked Questions About Secure Online Data Backup

What are the advantages of Online Backup
Online Backup with DataProBackup offers several advantages over backing up files to tape, cd, portable disk, or any other local media. Here are a few:
  • No hardware or software costs - There is no need to purchase any hardware such as tape or disk drives. In addition DataProBackup provides the software free of charge.
  • Simple to setup - Online backup systems don't require as much setup and configuration as other systems that require hardware and backup media.
  • Automated execution - Online backup systems run automatically, requiring no user intervention in most cases.
  • Offsite Storage - Online backup systems store your data safely in a remote location. If a disaster strikes where your computer is located, your data remains safe in a different location.
  • Backup Catalog - Online backup systems automatically keep track of which files are backed up, making them much easier to restore when needed.
Is Online Backup Safe and Secure?
Yes, in most cases Online Backup is safer than traditional backup. This is particularly true with DataProBackup secure online data backup. The data is encrypted using advanced encryption and your data cannot be read by anyone who does not have your decryption key, including DataProBackup personnel. See This Article for more information on the subject of safety of online backup systems.
What is the difference between Online Backup, Remote Backup, and Internet Backup?
It is not unusual for people to use the terms synonymously. There is no official definition of these terms. The definitions below are the most common and generally accepted meanings:
Online Backup
1) A service that provides backup software and storage space specifically for the purpose of making backup copies of data to a data storage facility via the Internet. 2) A backup method that allows data to be backed up while the application is currently in use.
Offsite Backup
A general term that refers to backup data being stored in a location that is separated from the location where the primary data is stored. In order for data to be off-site, it should be in a different building at a minimum, and ideally should be located in different facility at least a few miles away from the location where the computer and primary data are stored. The term offsite backup has been used for decades to describe the process of moving backup tapes to a secondary location for the purposes of disaster recovery in the event the primary location is destroyed or becomes inaccessible. With the advent of the Internet and online backup services, the term offsite backup is often used with the same meaning as online backup where data is copied off-site over a network.
Internet Backup
A service that provides backup software and storage space specifically for the purpose of making backup copies of data to a data storage facility via the Internet.
Online Storage
1) Many ISPs allocate some amount of storage space on a server in the ISP's data center for the use of their subscribers. The space can be used for email, websites, or file storage. However, online storage that is included with your Internet service does not usually include any software to copy, schedule, and manage your backup data. 2) The term online-storage is also used by large data centers to describe storage that is immediately accessible by users, websites, and programs. For example: disk storage is online storage, and tape storage is offline storage. You may find that some online backup providers use the term online storage.
Remote Backup
The process of backing up data to a server in a remote location. This term is often used synonymously with online backup services. Remote backup is often used within a corporation and is not necessarily a service.
Network Backup
The process of backup up data over a network to any media, including tape or disk. This term is mostly used internally by corporations who backup their own computers over their own network using various software and media.
Can I use DataProBackup to backup databases?
Yes, The DataProBackup Business Subscription Plan provides the functionality to backup the following databases:
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Oracle
  • MySQL
  • Lotus Notes
  • Lotus Domino
  • Microsoft Exchange Server

DataProBackup supports both full and incremental (log backups) of Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Exchange Server, Oracle, and Lotus Notes/Domino.
How often do my files get backed up?
By default, DataProBackup™ will backup your data once a day between 9:00PM and 6:00AM. However, you can change the schedule to backup more or less frequently and you can also set the exact times that you want your files to be backed up.
Does every file get backed up?
No, only the files which have changed since the last backup are sent to the DataProBackup datacenter. This allows the backups to run much faster. There is no need to transmit files to the datacenter if an exact copy is already backed up. You also have control over which folders on your computer are backed up. By default DataProBackup will backup your documents and settings.
How much technical know-how does it take to setup DataProBackup?
Almost none; you are already computer savy enough to connect to the internet and browse this site, it doesn't take much more than that to setup DataProBackup. To setup your account, go to the account page and fill in the form. You wil receive an email with your password and a link to the setup program. DataProBackup installs in minutes and automatically configures itself to back up your documents every night.
How much time will I have to spend learning to use DataProBackup?
The setup will take about 5 minutes, after that DataProBackup will run automatically. You are not required to do anything if you don't want to. Your documents and settings will be backed up everyday without any action on your part. If you want to customize the schedule or options, that can usually be done in a few minutes.
Where will my data be stored?
Your data is stored in a world-class datacenter located near Atlanta, Georgia, USA. See description of the secure DataProBackup datacenter facilities.
What happens if the DataProBackup facility is destroyed by a disaster?
The DataProBackup servers are located in a very secure data center that was designed to withstand most disasters. The data-center has multiple power sources and its own power generation facilities to backup the utility power. Advanced alarms, environmental control and fire containment and suppression are designed into the facility. The DataProBackup data is stored on redundant disk arrays to protect against common hardware problems.

In addition to all of the protection of primary facility, the DataProBackup system replicates all data to mirror site that is located in a second secure data center that is in a different geographic location. The replication occurs immediately as data arrives at the primary location. The data is replicated on a block by block basis so that when large files are backed up, the secondary data center is receiving the file at the same time. If the primary DataProBackup data-center facility suffers a major disaster, the DataProBackup system will continue to operate from the secondary location.
Can anyone else access my data?
No, your data is encrypted with a key of your choosing. Your data never leaves your computer in unencrypted form. Your data cannot be read without the encryption key, which only you will know. Your encryption key is never transmitted to the datacenter. Even DataProBackup employees, including datacenter technicians, cannot access your data.
Should I stop using my tape backup system?
That is completely up to you. You can continue to use your tape backups if you desire, but your important documents and settings will be securly stored offsite with DataProBackup.
I am currently copying my data to CD's for backup, why should I use DataProBackup?
Your CD backups are succeptable to loss along with your computer unless you are moving the backup CDs to another location on regular basis. CD backups also require manual effort everyday to copy the data and secure the CDs in a safe location. DataProBackup will perform your backups automatically and store your data offsite without any manual effort on your part. And you will not miss any backups because you forgot to change the CD!
How hard is it to restore my data if it gets lost?
Your data can be easily restored using the same DataProBackup software that is installed on your system to perform the backups. You can also restore your data from our website without any additional software on your system.
How long does a typical hard drive last?
There are several factors that have to be considered to get an idea of how long a drive should be expected to last. The quality of the drive and the operating conditions have the biggest influence on the life of the drive. Bottom line is that most drives last between 2 and 5 years, but they can fail at anytime. See "How Long Should A Hard Drive Last"
Can I backup my Outlook personal folders file (.PST) with DataProBackup?
Yes, absolutely. Outlook .PST files can grow quite large which makes them difficult to backup to CD's or other media. In addition, they usually contain valuable documents and information that should be backed up frequently and retained. DataProBackup's delta file technology makes backing up Outlook PST files practical. The first time you you backup a large file, like your PST file, it will take some time. After the initial backup, only the new data and changed areas of the file will be backed up. If you ever lose your PST file, you can easily restore the entire file.
My hard drive has SMART technology that gives early warning before a disk failure.
SMART technology is very good if your computer has software that monitors it. SMART will report conditions that may lead to drive failure before the drive fails. However, SMART does not predict all failures and cannot predict some of the common causes of disk failure, i.e. voltage surges, shock, mechanical failure... Valuable data should be backed up frequently and stored in a secure location regardless of the type of disk drive or monitoring technology in use.
How long are my files retained on DataProBackup?
DataProBackup retains your files for as long as you keep the account. The current versions of the files you backup are retained indefinitely. Files that you delete from your computer, or older versions of files that you have modified are retained according to a retention policy that you set. By default DataProBackup keeps files that you have deleted for 7 days. If you deleted a file by mistake then you have 7 days to recover it before DataProBackup will release the space. You can increase the number of days that deleted and old versions of files will be retained, but it will increase your space requirements on the DataProBackup storage systems.
DataProBackup's price seems low compared to other online backup service providers, what's the catch?
There is no catch. We control our costs so that we can offer you a superior service at a lower cost. DataProBackup depends on having good referenceable customers to help us spread the word and we spend little on marketing and advertising. Our servers, storage systems, software, and datacenters are top quality, offering the best reliability and security possible.
What's the deal with the free accounts? How can you afford to give away free accounts?
The free Rhioback accounts are limited to 500Mb each and they do not expire. We don't expect to make any money on the free accounts. We are confident that you will like our product and you will want to use it for all of your valuable files. We think you will be so impressed with the quality of the system that you will tell your friends and neighbors. That is the only purpose for the free accounts, no tricks, no spyware, no hidden cost.
How do you know that a file didn't lose some bits during transmission?
The DataProBackup system uses modern error detection techniques to verify the integrity of each block of data transmitted. If an error is detected the block is retransmitted.
What if a hard disk fails on the DataProBackup servers?
DataProBackup uses fault tolerant disk arrays for storing customer data. The failure of a single disk will not result in loss of customer data. In addition the entire storage array is replicated to an additonal storage facility in a secondary datacenter to ensure that your data will not be lost if a catastrophic event occurs at the primary data center.
Does DataProBackup require a contract?
DataProBackup does not require a contract. You can cancel your account at anytime on our website in the account section. When your account is cancelled, the billing will stop immediately.
If I cancel my DataProBackup account, what happens to my data?
When you cancel your DataProBackup account an email will be sent to the registered email address giving you notice that your account will be terminated in 5 business days. The email and grace period are for your protection in case of a mistake or unauthorized cancellation request. During this period of time, you may restore any files that you want to retain. After the 5 day grace period, your data that resides on the DataProBackup storage system will be permanently destroyed.
My auditors require that I keep 5 years of backup data, do I need to set the retention policy to 1825 days?
Not necessarily, it depends on your backup requirements. If you need to be able to restore any of the snapshots for those 1825 days, then yes, you need to set a simple 1825-day retention policy. On the other hand, if say for each of the 5 years, your auditor only needs the snapshots on December 31 of each year, then you can make use of the "Advanced Retention Policy" feature, where you have options to keep yearly, quarterly, monthly, or daily snapshots. With this flexibility, you should be able to configure your required backup policy.
What is incremental backup and how does In-File Delta work?
In an incremental backup, only modified files will be uploaded to the Backup Server.

On the other hand, In-File Delta is applicable to the physical files to be uploaded to the Backup Server, does not matter whether it is a MS SQL database file, MS Exchange transaction log file or any normal file in a FileBackupSet. Specifically, only the changed blocks in comparison the original file on the Backup Server (delta file) will be uploaded.

For each modified file, DataProBackup Manager would determine whether the entire file or only a delta file should be uploaded. If the entire file is to be uploaded, the old version of the file will be moved to the Retention area. Else if only the delta file is to be uploaded, the previous delta files will be moved to the Retention area and the Data area should contain the original full backup file, checksum file and the latest delta file of this file. See documentation on DataProBackup's In-file delta technology for more details on how file delta technology works.
What are Off-line backup, Logout backup reminder and Local backup features?
Off-line backup is basically designed for notebook users who are off-line most of the time and cannot rely on backup schedule to backup regularly. The backup interval allows notebook users to specify the interval that they would like their data to backup. If this interval has elapsed, backup will run automatically once this machine is online.

Logout backup reminder asks user if they would like to backup if they logout of the computer or shutdown their computer.

Local backup allows an extra copy of backup file to be kept on local hard disk when running backup.
I keep getting a prompt reminding me to do backup when I logout Windows, can I disable that?
That is the “System Logout Backup Reminder”. Please do the following to disable that:
  1. Logon to the DataProBackup Manager
  2. Select the backup set that you want to disable the logout reminder from the left panel
  3. Select the [Extra Backup] node under the backup set node on the left panel
  4. Uncheck the [Enable System Logout Backup Reminder] checkbox under the “System Logout Backup Reminder (Windows)” section
  5. If you want to do this to all backup sets, please repeat the previous step for each backup set
  6. Press the [Save Setting] button from the toolbar
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