• Overview of cloud services. Shapes of "clouds". Choosing the best online storage

    More and more users and companies are abandoning the purchase of a hard drive with a large amount of memory in favor of online products. During the initial consideration of offers on the market, it is not entirely clear which cloud to choose for data storage. To do this, it is important to know their purpose, features, pros and cons of use.

    The cloud means a certain, allocated amount of space on the servers of a company that provides cloud storage services. The system is decentralized and files are scattered across a network of data centers, but can be easily accessed through an application or website.

    Five main reasons to use cloud services:

    The top cloud storage solutions are based on the ratio of price, quality and generosity of developers (the presence of a free mode and the amount of space offered).

    Based on the listed characteristics, the rating includes:

    The choice of which cloud service is best to use is up to the user. All of the services listed above are worthy of being rated and have good reviews. To avoid paying for storage, install all services at the same time and use them for free.

    Advantages and disadvantages


    Among the advantages of the cloud:

    • cheap equipment, savings on purchasing a large disk;
    • saving free disk space and improving PC performance;
    • the efficiency of resource use increases. In the corporate sector, a personal data center is either idle or cannot cope with the load, and in cloud storage, payments are made only for the amount of information used;
    • no need for system administrators and technical workers;
    • automatic application updates;
    • unlimited volume;
    • compatible with all OS;
    • support for most formats;
    • ease of collaboration on a project;
    • 24/7 remote access to documents;
    • safety.

    There are also disadvantages:

    • do not work without access to the network;
    • stable and high-speed Internet is required;
    • the risk of slow operation of the service during DDoS or heavy load;
    • not all programs support remote access;
    • some companies (not from the presented list) have security problems;
    • If data is lost on the cloud, it is rarely possible to recover it.

    Secure file storage in the cloud

    The best cloud storage services are secure, but that's relative. There are several reasons to trust and distrust them.

    It's safe because:

    • data is encrypted, as specified in the user agreement;
    • The service is constantly being worked on to improve performance and close security holes;
    • A password is required for access.

    What vulnerabilities exist:

    • packet interception - only possible when transmitted over an unsecured network, public Wi-Fi is especially dangerous;
    • password hacking - do not use the same passwords;
    • Not all services encrypt data - it is better to encrypt it yourself or set a password.

    It is better to use the listed services to store files; they are safer, more reliable and easier to use compared to analogues. Despite the lack of 100% security on the part of the service, the user is able to protect his own information using SSL access, encrypting key files and setting a reliable, previously unused password.

    • no connection to a specific device
    • Data on the Internet is much better protected than on your device.

    The best cloud services

    Advantages: fast file synchronization, better cross-platform functionality.

    Flaws: poor integration with mobile applications.

    The online service will be convenient for users for exchanging “large” files and for those who prefer Yandex services. Mobile application developers are integrating support for Dropbox and Google Drive services, allowing you to download new videos and e-books directly from the cloud. "Yandex. Disk, a service from the most popular search engine on the RuNet, is not popular among foreign developers, but its main advantages are different:

    1. It provides high synchronization speed because... The company's servers are located in Russia, not in the USA, which can be useful for exchanging “heavy” files.
    2. You can connect to Yandex.Disk in a variety of ways, including using any WebDAV client, Windows Phone, and even the almost dead Symbian mobile OS.
    3. “Cloud” will help you easily transfer information (SMS, contacts, call history) from an outdated phone (Java, Windows Mobile, etc.) to a new one (Android, iPhone).

    The basic volume for storing content on Yandex.Disk is limited to 10 GB. To expand it, you can bring friends to the service (512 MB for each) and participate in various promotions. Now, for example, the Russian search engine gives buyers of products from the Samsung ATIV series 50 GB “on top” for a period of 2 years.

    Dropbox - the best file storage with mobile access

    • The provided volume is 2 GB. You can “earn” additional space for a referral.
    • Simplicity, support for all major platforms (Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, iOS, BlackBerry and Kindle Fire).
    • Convenient creation of photo galleries
    • Tariffs: 100 GB - $9.99/month, 200 GB - $19.99/month, 500 GB - $49.99/month.

    The service is suitable for owners of mobile devices and computers with a variety of platforms, as well as for those who need a lightweight “cloud” to store files and, if necessary, quickly send links to them to friends. Due to its flexible pricing policy, Dropbox can be an excellent choice for corporate users.

    Advantages:

    • there is no limit on the size of the downloaded file through the client;
    • simple interface and setup, cross-platform;
    • Dropbox support is widely integrated into numerous iOS/Android apps.

    Flaws: if you need to rent more than 500 GB, you will have to buy a business account (at least 5 users).

    Dropbox is built entirely around file storage. The Dropbox website has a very user-friendly interface with easy navigation, and its many clients make it extremely easy to set up. At the time of registration, users are allocated only 2 free gigabytes, but additional space can be “earned” (16 GB maximum) by inviting friends (500 MB per referral), connecting your account to Facebook and Twitter, uploading photos and videos, installing the Mailbox application, etc. p.

    Apple's iCloud

    iPhone and iPad users should pay attention to the service from Apple iCloud. Free (basic) storage automatically syncs all apps, books, photos and music. The provided volume is 5 GB for your personal data, such as mail, documents and settings, without the opportunity to earn space through referrals. As you would expect, there are only a couple of supported platforms: iOS and OS X, so the online service is suitable only for Apple users. Apple offers the following tariffs: 10 GB - 650 rubles/year, 20 GB - 1300 rubles/year, 50 GB - 3250 rubles/year.

    Advantages: free web office (Pages, Numbers, Keynote), easy setup;

    Flaws: limited by the Apple ecosystem, small amount of free memory.

    The Apple cloud is not an additional space on your computer into which you can drag and drop the desired file. iCloud is primarily a service that syncs certain types of data exclusively between Apple devices. For example, if you take a photo or video on an iPhone, you can save it to the cloud, but you won’t be able to view the captured content on an Android or Windows smartphone.

    iCloud is convenient, but only if you use several Apple devices - say, a MacBook Pro laptop and an iPhone. Once you set up the service, you can forget about transferring reminders, contacts and Safari bookmarks. However, if you want to take full advantage of iCloud, you will still need to buy additional storage. The 5 GB provided for free, even though purchases and photos are not taken into account, is clearly not enough to store all the necessary information: passwords from Keychain, events from Calendar, application data, letters from Mail, backup copies of Apple devices, etc. other things.

    If the user focuses on the photo, then I advise cloud service from Google— (especially useful for photographers, your portfolio will always be at hand, since Picasa mobile applications exist for all platforms). Picasa is also worthy of attention due to the integration of an online photo editor into its photo service Picnik, which is quite suitable for simple photo processing. Picnik is based on effects and semi-automatic processing.

    If you need a full-fledged photo editor program, I recommend taking a closer look at Pixlr. The service is free and has a wide range of functions.

    We store music in online storage

    Amazon Cloud Drive

    • The offered free volume is 5 GB of space in online storage
    • A client for downloading music from a PC and a mobile application for playing on the Android platform.

    Mspot

    • Provided volume - 5 GB of online storage
    • An application for working with a PC and playing content on the main mobile platforms - Android, iOS and Windows Phone 7 (an online radio function is also available on Android).

    The largest file storage on the Internet

    [email protected]

    • Free disk space - 100 GB without the ability to “earn” space.
    • Supported platforms: Windows, Linux, OS X, Android, iOS (iPhone only).

    Advantages: huge space absolutely free

    Flaws: The functionality of the service is currently weak.

    "[email protected]" is a young online service, opened only in 2013. In this regard, it does not yet have paid options, and many functions are in development. For example, there is no client version for mobile devices, there is no integration with Mail.ru mail and no downloading of attachments from the cloud, the web interface is not fully developed. It is worth noting that 100 GB is not offered by any competing cloud.

    ADrive

    • The provided volume is 50 GB.
    • Access from the Desktop or via FTP is paid - about 200 rubles per month
    • Lack of applications for mobile devices.
    • Upload size limit - 2 GB
    • Usage cloud service as a file hosting service (sending a link by email).

    Microsoft's OneDrive (formerly SkyDrive)

    • Available free space – 7 GB with the opportunity to “earn” additional space
    • Tariffs: for 50 GB - $25/year (up to 200 GB);
    • Supported platforms: Windows, Windows Phone, OS X, Android, iOS
    • Suitable for active users of Windows devices, including tablets and Windows Phone smartphones.

    Advantages: integration with the Microsoft Office office suite.

    Flaws: linking to a Microsoft account, which opens access to services that may not be in demand (Outlook, Xbox Live, etc.).

    The OneDrive online service, formerly known as SkyDrive, is a “cloud” from Microsoft with all the ensuing advantages. The service provides deep integration with computers and laptops based on Windows 8 and 8.1, Xbox consoles and Windows smartphones. However, unlike the closed iCloud, OneDrive can be run on competing platforms. More importantly, OneDrive is tightly coupled with Windows apps (Office, Photos, etc.), meaning users can easily open and edit documents with just a few taps. You can get more space in two ways: invite a friend (additional 5 GB) and set up automatic synchronization of your file storage with your smartphone’s photo gallery (another 3 GB).

    Universal online office

    Drive from Google

    I recommend it to almost everyone cloud service Google Drive for use as an online office and more.

    • Providing access to documents to other users.
    • Work with text documents, tables and presentations.
    • Insert images and videos with one click.
    • Mobile applications for iOS and Android (access to your documents from a smartphone).

    P.S. It’s impossible to list all the possibilities, it’s easier to try it yourself or read it.

    Connecting online storage in the form of a disk to Explorer

    Majority online storage support the WebDAV protocol, so to integrate the online storage drive into Explorer, do the following:

    • Right-click on “My Computer | Map network drive" and select the desired letter.
    • Enter address: URL of your service/your_drive, having previously registered on the project website.

    Allows you to integrate the disk into Explorer if cloud service does not support this function.

    Connecting the utility:

    • In the installation menu, select “Add My Cloud Storage Account” to integrate the storage drive into Windows Explorer.
    • Click on the desired service, give the disk a name and log in.

    Gladinet supports the following online file storage services Google Docs, Picasa and Windows Live SkyDrive.

    Box

    Supported OS: OS X, Windows, Android, BlackBerry, iOS;

    Advantages: high reliability, flexible privacy settings.

    Flaws: strong limitation on the size of the downloaded file, lack of version history in the free subscription;

    Box is one of the oldest “clouds”, but it is not as popular among ordinary Internet users as Dropbox. This online service is focused on corporate and IT users. It offers them fine-tuning of file access rights, shared folders with an “expiration date”, ample opportunities for previewing and editing documents, FTP access, recording logs, etc. Secondly, the size of a single file in Box cannot exceed 250 MB, although, in turn, Dropbox does not impose restrictions when downloading from a mobile client. Thirdly, the free Box account does not support version history, i.e. it is impossible to return to the previous contents of a file a couple of days ago.

    Still, Box is considered reliable storage. It uses 256-bit encryption, and all information is transmitted to the cloud via a secure SLL protocol. The service is integrated (plugins required) with Microsoft Office, Salesforce, NetSuite and Adobe Lightroom, and the browser version allows you to create simple text documents.

    Attention! Some services only accept certain types of files.

    The cloud is a service where you can store data and easily manage it. That is, you can upload your files to it, work with them directly on the Internet, download them at any time, and also transfer them to another person.

    Any user can get such a service at their disposal completely free of charge. It's essentially your own hard drive on the Internet.

    You could say it’s something like a Local Disk on a computer, but only with the ability to use it on any device with Internet access. Plus, you can transfer files to other users by simply sending them a download link.

    So, the cloud is needed to:

    • Store files and folders with files
    • Work with them on any computer or smartphone that has the Internet
    • Easily and quickly transfer files to other people

    Thus, it replaces flash drives, disks and other devices for transferring information.

    That is, I can upload the files I need to such a service and work with them on any other computer where there is Internet. These can be documents, books, music, videos - in general, any files.

    Initially, they are available only to me, but if I wish, I can make some of them public. Then they can be downloaded.

    That is, a special Internet address (link) will be generated where the file can be saved to your computer. I can send this address to any person (for example, on Skype or via mail), and the person will be able to download my file.

    Where and how to get the cloud

    There are sites that provide clouds to users. It's like with mail: there are sites where you can get it. We go to such a site, register and get a cloud service for storing data.

    We are allocated a certain free volume. On some services it is a very decent 50-100 GB. If you want more, it's for money.

    Or you can register several times and, accordingly, receive several free volumes. Everything is free, everything is legal!

    The easiest way to get a cloud is to do it where you have your mail. The fact is that the largest email sites (Yandex, Mail, Gmail) distribute such services for free. You just need to want it.

    That is, you don’t even need to register. Just open your mail and indicate that you want to receive the cloud. They give it to you right away.

    Sites that give away clouds for free

    Yandex.Disk is a cloud service from Yandex. If you have mail there, then you also have such a disk. 10 GB is given free of charge and forever.

    To receive Yandex.Disk, you need to open the website yandex.ru and go to your mail. Then open the “Disk” tab (at the top).

    They will greet you and offer to download a special program to your computer for convenient work with Yandex.Disk.

    It’s better not to do this right away - you can always install it later. I recommend closing this window and first learning how to use Yandex.Disk without the program.

    That's it! Upload files, sort them, share, delete. In general, you already have a cloud. There are even some files and folders with files already loaded onto it for example.

    To further access Yandex.Disk, you need to follow all the same steps: open the yandex.ru website, open your email, go to the “Disk” tab.

    Or you can install and configure a special program “Disk for Windows” and use the cloud directly from your computer - without going to the website yandex.ru

    Cloud Mail.ru is a service from the mail site mail.ru. 25 GB is given free of charge.

    To receive this goodness you just need to have a mail.ru mailbox. If you have it, then you also have a cloud.

    To enter it, you need to open the mail.ru website and open your mail. Then click on the “Cloud” button at the top.

    Your personal cloud service will open. Some example files are already loaded into it. You can remove them, or you can leave them. In general, your cloud is already ready to go.

    You can use it directly, via email, or you can download and install a special application (program). Then the cloud will be accessible directly from the computer - a shortcut will appear on the Desktop to instantly open it.

    Google Drive is a service that is “attached” to gmail.com. 15 GB is allocated for free.

    To get into it, you need to go to your email account on the website gmail.com. Then click on the picture with small squares next to your name (top right) and click on the “Disk” item.

    Perhaps after this Google will ask you a couple of questions. Below, in the pictures, it is shown what he should answer in this case.

    After this, your personal cloud will load. It will already have a folder with several files. You can delete this folder with all its contents, or you can leave it - as you wish.

    So, the disk is ready for use. You can start downloading!

    It opens in exactly the same way - through mail. Or you can install a special program. Then it will be accessible from your computer.

    It seemed to me that this cloud is much more difficult to use than all the others. Not everyone will understand. But there are certain advantages that other services do not have. For example, you can create a document, presentation, table, form or drawing right in it.

    That is, a program will open directly on the Internet to create a file of the desired type. It is quite simple and allows you to both create a file and save it to Google Drive, as well as download it to your computer in the desired format.

    Such programs can be used instead of Word, Excel, Power Point. It is very convenient when you have to work on a computer on which they are not installed.

    Which service is better

    As various tests have shown, the “mail” clouds that I just talked about are superior in quality, convenience and free features to all other similar services.

    I won’t go into details, but the places were distributed as follows:

    Therefore, I recommend that you still use one of these services. If you do not have an email account on any of them, then you just need to register. You will have new mail (which, by the way, you don’t have to use at all) and a cloud.

    Of course, there are other sites where you can get a cloud service for free. But most of them have various unpleasant limitations in their free versions.

    But there is one that compares favorably with all the others (including the “postal” ones). It is best suited for transferring files to other people. His address: mega.co.nz

    Mega - this service makes sense for those who host files for downloading. The fact is that through special downloader programs such as MiPony, they can be saved to your computer very quickly and easily. Much easier and faster than with other cloud services. 50 GB is allocated for free.

    Initially, the site opens in English. To switch to the Russian version, click on the Menu button (top right), select Language from the list, then click on Russian and the Save button.

    Just in case, here are two more good cloud services:

    Dropbox - 2 GB free.

    One Drive - 7 GB free.

    How to manage the cloud

    You can manage it on the very site where you received it. Log in there with your username and password, go to a certain section and get access to the cloud.

    And you can do this even easier, more conveniently and, most importantly, much faster: with the help of a small application (program).

    Each service has its own, that is, you need to download it from the site where you have the cloud.

    This application allows you to quickly and easily upload, watch, download files and folders with files from your cloud service. It takes up very little space, and you can install such a program on any computer or smartphone (not just yours).

    How to install the application. Open your cloud and there will be a download link or button in a prominent place. The pictures below show where such a button is in “mail” cloud services.

    Download the program file and open it. The installation will begin. Below are illustrated instructions for each “mail” service. Do everything as in the pictures and the application will install.

    Yandex.Disk:

    Cloud Mail.ru:

    How to use the application

    After installing the application, a program shortcut appears on the Desktop. With the help of it we will work with the cloud.

    When you first launch the program, you will be asked to enter data from the cloud. Type your email address and password. Then agree to the terms of service and click “Login”.

    Now, when you open the program icon, your cloud will open directly on your computer - in a regular folder.

    Also, when an application is opened, its icon appears in the tray.

    This is where the computer clock is - in the lower right corner of the screen (on the taskbar, where the other icons are).

    This icon may be hidden under a small arrow next to the alphabet.

    Using it you can control the application. To do this, you need to click on it with the left or right mouse button.

    File/folder synchronization. This is the most difficult part to understand, but it is absolutely necessary to understand it in order to successfully work with the application.

    The point of synchronization is that the computer or smartphone on which the application is installed must connect to your cloud and download files from or to it.

    This process must be completed, otherwise we will not be able to use the downloaded data. Synchronization occurs via the Internet. That is, without the Internet it is simply impossible.

    Consider the following situation. My cloud already has downloaded files and folders with files.

    By the way, initially, when you receive the cloud, it already has some information. So if you didn’t specifically delete it, then there are several files there.

    I installed the application on my computer, opened it, entered my username and password. A folder with a cloud has opened. So, all the data that was on it initially should be uploaded to this folder. That is, my cloud and computer must be synchronized.

    It turns out that all the files that are on the cloud are downloaded to my computer in this very folder. And if there are few of them and they are small in size, then this process will happen quickly - I may not even notice it.

    But if the files are large and my Internet is not very fast, then synchronization will take some time.

    In practice, it looks like this: I open an application shortcut and see an empty folder, although I know for sure that there are files on my cloud.

    Usually in this case, users begin to get nervous - they worry that their files have been deleted. In fact, they are all there. But we don’t see them because the synchronization procedure has not yet been completed.

    And this can be verified. When synchronization is in progress, the application icon (the one in the tray) seems to move.

    And if we click on it, then in the menu that opens there will be an item indicating the progress of the process.

    In fact, at this moment, files are downloaded from the Internet. That is, the Internet itself may work slower because of this.

    If necessary, synchronization can be turned off. To do this, click on the application icon in the tray and select the appropriate item from the menu. By the way, you can completely exit the program there.

    In general, while synchronization is in progress, the files will not be accessible. The same thing happens when transferring information from a computer to the cloud.

    How to upload a file (folder with files) to the cloud. To do this, you just need to copy the necessary files and then paste them into the application folder.

    Copy/paste occurs as usual, but after this all transferred files should be synchronized. Otherwise, they will not be uploaded to the Internet on your cloud.

    In the Cloud Mail.ru application, this process occurs instantly. Moreover, even for large files (from 1 GB).

    In the Yandex.Disk program, synchronization takes some time, but it still happens quickly.

    For me, on a fairly slow Internet, a 1 GB file downloaded in just a few minutes. If directly uploaded to the cloud (without an application), this process would take more than an hour.

    But Google Drive lags behind in this regard. Apparently, this application uses a different technology, and synchronization takes the same amount of time as a regular file download.

    My results may differ from yours. Perhaps your synchronization process will be faster or, on the contrary, slower than mine.

    How to download a file (folder with files) from the cloud. All files that you want to download to your computer or phone from the application must be fully synchronized.

    You can transfer them to your computer by simply copying them. That is, open the application, copy the necessary files and paste them into the computer folder of your choice. That's it! A couple of seconds - and the files are downloaded.

    Cons of cloud services

    Everything has both pros and cons. And cloud services also have them. I will list the main ones:

    1. Memory consumption. In other words, the work of cloud services “stresses” the computer. In the case of Yandex.Disk and Cloud.Mail.ru, the load is insignificant, but Google Drive is quite voracious. Modern computers may not notice this, but old ones will have to puff.

    2. Security. Since the cloud is an Internet service, there is always a certain chance that your files could fall into the wrong hands. Of course, modern data protection technologies minimize this probability, but there is always a risk. Moreover, the service is public.

    3. Internet required. Without the Internet, you will not be able to use any cloud service.

    Additional information

    In case the information provided in this lesson is not enough for you.

    Each cloud service has detailed instructions for use. Users don’t particularly like it, but it does contain a lot of useful and interesting information.

    In this article we will talk about the best cloud storage systems of 2017 that will allow you to store your information remotely, conveniently and securely.

    For some computer owners, finding enough space to store all the data they have purchased is a real challenge. Some people invest in larger hard drives. Others prefer external storage devices such as flash drives or CDs. Desperate computer owners may delete entire folders of old files to make room for new information. But some choose to rely on the growing trend - cloud storage.

    Although cloud storage sounds like it is associated with weather fronts and storm systems, it really refers to storing data on a third-party storage system maintained by a third party. Instead of storing information on your computer's hard drive or other local storage device, you store it in a remote database. The Internet provides communication between your computer and the database.

    What is the difference between cloud storage and hard drive?

    Cloud storage has a number of advantages over traditional data storage. For example, if you store data in a cloud storage system, you can retrieve that data from anywhere you have internet access. You don't need to carry a physical storage device with you or use the same computer to save and retrieve your information. With the right storage system, you could even allow other people to access the data.

    So, cloud storage is convenient and offers great flexibility, but how do you choose it?

    The best cloud storage services of 2017

    Dropbox - cross-platform and convenient

    is one of the only services that offers clients work on Linux and Blackberry, along with conventional operating systems such as Windows, Mac OS X, Android, iOS and Windows Phone.

    The latest update adds the ability to sign PDFs directly from Dropbox, as well as some iOS-specific features like sharing files in iMessage and watching videos from Dropbox while working in another app on your iPad.

    The free account comes with a measly 2GB. This is a lot for documents, but if you want to store any media files, then you will need more space. You can upgrade to the 1TB plan for RUB 600 per month, but Dropbox offers 500 MB of additional free space for each friend you invite to the Dropbox service. But for a free account there is a storage limit of 16 GB.

    You can get another 1GB by setting up a mailbox account, and you'll get 250MB for learning the basics of Dropbox. If you enable the camera upload feature, you will get 3GB and automatically back up your smartphone and tablet photos to the cloud. We've seen situations where users received 50 GB of storage on Dropbox for two years.

    Dropbox works on the same principle as other cloud storage services. It creates a specially designated folder on your disk, which is then synchronized with the service. Therefore, if you want to upload any file to a cloud storage service, you just need to transfer it. But on smartphones and PDAs the process is a little different: you can select files for offline access on your tablet or smartphone (they're all offline by default), and offline editing is some of the best we've seen.

    Folders and files can also be shared with other users, but you cannot set permissions for a Basic account, so your files can be edited and deleted not only by you, but also by other users of this service. The basic account isn't a complete disaster, though, since Dropbox backs up any changes to files for 30 days.

    If you pay 600 rubles per month, you will automatically receive a Dropbox Pro account, which will allow you to manage files and rights to them.

    Verdict on Dropbox - Should I use it or not?

    Dropbox is the best service of its kind and has many competitors. But nevertheless, he is the only one who takes first place in terms of convenience, comfort and cross-platform functionality, which is very important and necessary today.

    Microsoft OneDrive is convenient, accessible and native for Windows users

    From Microsoft is a cloud storage service for Windows users as it is built into Windows 10. However, the basic account only offers 5GB of free storage. This is enough for some people, but 15GB was previously available. Of course, there are paid plans that offer 50 GB of memory for just 150 rubles per month. And if you pay for the Office 365 Personal application for 4,200 rubles per year, you will automatically receive 1 TB of space.

    OneDrive uses Microsoft's modern user interface design. Folders and files can be created online, including in Office and OneNote formats, through limited integration with Office Online. Selective sync was introduced with Windows 10, meaning you don't have to have all your OneDrive files taking up space on every laptop and PC.

    There is also a feature that allows you to remotely access files on another computer through the OneDrive website. It should be noted that Microsoft reserves the right to inspect your files for anything it deems inappropriate. These may be copyrighted materials or items of an explicit nature.

    Verdict on Microsoft OneDrive - To use or not?

    If you're a Windows user, it makes sense to sign up for a free 5GB account, and if you're willing to spend a little, at least RUB 150 per month for 50GB, then this service is for you.

    Google Drive is a great storage service from Google

    Just as OneDrive connects to Microsoft products and iCloud connects to Apple, Google Drive is at the heart of the various online services that Google offers. You definitely should try it!

    You get 15GB of free storage when you create a Google account—or link to an existing one. In fact, you already have a Google account if you use Gmail, Google Calendar, or even YouTube.

    Storage space is shared between all of these services, so if you have large email attachments, they'll count at 15GB, and turning on automatic photo backup to Google+ from your smartphone will be the same.

    Google used restrictions that you can upload photos no larger than 2048x2048 pixels, and videos no longer than fifteen minutes.

    Google Drive works the same way as most storage services, with a local folder on your computer linked to a duplicate cloud version. Version control is supported, as well as real-time collaboration on documents using the Google Docs application. Clients are available on PC and Mac, with mobile versions for Android and iOS.

    Overall, the app's interface is quite smart and easy to navigate. You can choose files to be available offline in mobile versions, and they can be edited if they were created in Google Docs and then synced when brought back online. For other formats (such as Word), you need to open them in another application - this creates a duplicate.

    Data stored on Google Drive, like Apple's, is encrypted in 128-bit AES rather than the 256-bit used by Box, OneDrive and Dropbox. Google says it won't search the contents of your information folder unless forced by law enforcement, and you can set up two-step verification on your account to add another layer of security.

    Verdict on Google Drive - To use or not?

    If you live in the Google universe, then this is a really great option for storing your information.

    Mega - New Zealand storage service

    Mega is a New Zealand company created in 2013 by German-born entrepreneur Kim Dotcom, who is no longer related to it

    Unlike some of its competitors, this service provides encryption in every part of the process. This way, everything you send to the cloud is encrypted locally, along the route, and at the destination server.

    Mega itself has no way to access your information since you hold the encryption key. The upshot of all this is that anything you store on Mega can only be opened by you. There are local clients for this for Windows, OS X and Linux, and there are also plugins for the Chrome and Firefox browsers. Applications are available for all modern operating systems.

    The standard free package provides a whopping 50GB of storage. If that's not enough, you can purchase 500 GB for 6,000 rubles per year, 2 TB (12,000 rubles per year) or 4 TB (18,000 rubles per year) and increase your bandwidth with each package so you can share files with friends and colleagues.

    Verdict on Mega - To use or not?

    With a generous free account, fast service, cross-platform appeal, and reliable service experience. Mega is a very good choice for most people looking for an online storage service for their information.

    PCloud - get 10 GB for registration

    Opening a new pCloud account will give you 10GB of free storage (double the OneDrive and five basic Dropbox offerings). The storage can be increased up to 20GB by completing various activities such as recommending friends (1GB per person), completing a tutorial (3GB) and various social media links, but the real temptation is the very reasonable prices of the larger storage options. For example, 500 GB will cost you about 200 rubles per month, while 2 TB (Premium Plus plan) can be purchased for 400 rubles per month. Among other things, there are clients available for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android, and you can also access your account through the website. The iPhone recently introduced a handy auto-delete feature that deletes photos from your phone after they've been copied to the cloud.

    There are import options that can automatically transfer files from other cloud services, including Dropbox and Google Drive, which is handy when switching from one or just for an extra backup of important files.

    As with all online storage, you can share your content with friends or colleagues by sending links or allowing access to folders and documents. They also provide permissions so you can determine whether someone can edit or just view the file. One good option for sharing information is a download link.

    One of the most specialized features of pCloud is the folder Crypto Folder, in which you can place files that you want to protect from prying eyes, be it hackers or certain government agencies. The contents of this folder are encrypted locally on your device, and even pCloud employees will not be able to read it without your key.

    Verdict on PCloud - To use or not?

    PCloud plays well with other cloud storage services, is easy to use and offers plenty of free storage space, as well as very competitive rates for larger capacities. The Crypto folders option for security is also a nice feature, especially since it doesn't require encrypting the entire drive. Therefore, you should try this service.

    Well, today we looked at the best cloud storage services for 2017. So now you need to make your choice.

    Video: Cloud Technologies - Comparison

    Website. Today, as promised, we continue the topic of cloud data storage.

    The last article was the beginning of this extensive topic.

    And I will present to your attention the best free cloud storage. Now many companies are trying to create clouds for the convenience of transferring and storing heavy files.

    Rating of the best free cloud storages

    In order not to get lost in searching for good sites for saving files, I have provided a list of the most popular free cloud storages.

    I would like to note that these Internet storage sites are extremely popular among most users. And for blogging and further monetization of personal platforms, this is a good bonus in the deck of necessary platforms. So, meet the 9 best cloud data storage services.

    9 Best Cloud Data Storages

    • 1. Cloud Mail ru

    Cloud Mail ru (http://cloud.mail.ru) - complete trust, as well as the maximum volume of disk array (100 gigabytes for data storage).

    This service is the undisputed leader in the family of cloud storage services on a free basis.

    Wherever you are, you can always use the necessary file using a laptop or personal mobile device as a working tool.

    The Mail ru cloud is designed for any platform, be it Windows, Linux 64-32 bit, MacOS, Android.

    You can study this service more clearly and get the full amount of necessary information at http://help.mail.ru/cloud_web.

    By the way, just recently this service announced a new opportunity for developing shared folders with other users. You can mutually drop the necessary information into the created folders.

    How will this method be useful for you? This is a potentially convenient option to successfully complete an archive with photos from memorable events.

    Your cooperation will provide an opportunity to collect your favorite photographs in a common folder and carry out group work on the development and completion of documents.

    Any interesting moments from the life of common parties can be sent to the archive of a common folder. This is a good opportunity for students to complete various manuals and notes.

    In other words, this option is quite convenient and efficient.

    Mega

    • 2. Cloud data storageMega

    Mega cloud data storage, with the ability to use 50 GB for personal needs. Once you manage to invite one of your visitors to the service, you will receive additional gigabytes.

    As they say, there is a good opportunity to get additional free memory thanks to advertising of this service.

    All your files are encrypted on your personal computer, and Mega has no way to view the backed up data set. Web address https://mega.co.nz.

    So, you have 50 GB in reserve and attract interested users to Mega to increase the disk array. Believe me, an excellent service for most bloggers.

    MediaFire

    • 3. File storageMediaFire

    MediaFire File Storage (https://www.mediafire.com). 10 GB of personal space. You get 8 GB of load for announcing the service on social networks or from invited clients.

    SkyDrive

    • 4. Online data storageSkyDrive

    Internet data storage SkyDrive is designed for the Windows 8 platform.

    The idea to create this service belongs to Microsoft, which allows you not to worry about the lack of interaction with this operating system and installed programs developed for this platform.

    With a license for Windows 8-8.1, the SkyDrive service gives you 25 GB of personal storage. Without a licensed program, the client has a smaller memory size - 7 gigabytes.

    Copy

    • 5. Network storageCopy

    Network storage Copy (https://www.copy.com), with the ability to accept 15 GB for personal needs. The cloud interface includes a full set of necessary functions, which allows you not to get lost when visiting this service for the first time.

    Copy cloud storage works with all platforms and also gives you the ability to encrypt your files.

    The referral program allows you to increase your personal reserve with an additional 5 gigabytes of disk space.

    4Sync

    • 6. 4Sync cloud storage

    Cloud storage 4Sync (http://ru.4sync.com/) is a cloud service quite convenient in its parameters and well-known among Runet users. Online storage is designed for most platforms. Working with 4Sync, you get 15 GB of free space. The rest of the reserve is purchased for money.

    Google Disk

    • 7.Google Disk

    Google Drive (https://www.google.com) is directly associated with Google, where online services (Gmail, Docs) are directly integrated with the named storage. The resulting size for a block of various materials is 15 GB.

    You can download Google Drive on various mobile devices. This will give you the opportunity to work from any place you choose. But there are a number of disadvantages of this file storage.

    By putting personal documents in a folder, you are deprived of standard protection, which once again calls into question the storage of private information. If blogosphere your strong point, then without a doubt you have an inbox on Google.

    In this case, mail, Google documents, images will automatically take up space on the Google Drive service. That is why 15 GB is a fairly relative size for this “cloud”.

    True, by creating a new Google account without email services and other additional services, you can maintain the original storage size.

    Yandex Disk

    • 8. Yandex Disk

    Yandex Disk is a domestic cloud network storage located at https://disk.yandex.ru.

    It is this storage of files on the Internet that is especially popular among the majority of Russian users on the Internet.

    The Yandex company constantly refreshes the mechanism of the personal system, developing new platforms, analyzing and sorting according to various criteria a fairly large number of virtual platforms (blogs, websites, online stores, etc.).

    That is why in the next article after this I will dwell in more detail on the functionality of Yandex Disk file storage.

    Namely, I will consider how to use this “cloud” for personal needs, and in the process of blogging. And we’ll tell you how to save a set of necessary files on Yandex Disk.

    Don’t forget, in order not to miss a post about Yandex Disk, click on the blog news site.

    Dropbox

    • 9. Dropbox

    Dropbox is a universal file storage with a wide range of applications, where it is possible to synchronize data both on a group of computers and on mobile devices.

    The interface of this service will be understandable to any novice user. www dropbox com is a cloud storage address with a rather unobtrusive and pleasant design.

    After registering on the cloud storage website, you need to install the dropbox program by going to .

    The created folder with a set of various information will be synchronized between the Dropbox storage and any computer put into operation.

    Thanks to the wi-fi connection, it is possible to use email while working from any portable device. The only problem is the small size of the offered space for storing files on the Internet.

    2 GB of free personal storage. The remaining size can be purchased for money or increased through a referral program.

    9 Best Cloud Data Storages - Conclusion

    The clear line of other cloud data storages is blurred due to the small amount of workspace. The greatest preference is given to the free services listed above. Now you know the 9 best cloud data storage services.

    Use them and feel the convenience in your daily work. If the information was useful to you, then please click on the social network buttons below, and let your friends also know about the 9 best cloud data storages.

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