Best Backup Solution: Mozy Online Backup

Reliable, secure, low-hassle backup

Updated Feb 20, 2009 Set Alert

Mozy is our pick for Best Backup Solution, beating out all online and traditional alternatives. It's a reliable, secure, low-hassle way to backup your data, and it's backed by EMC, the world's largest data storage company.

From a technical standpoint, Mozy is solid. It handles traditional problems areas with ease (e.g. open files, Outlook data, small changes to large files, etc.) and now provides the option for ultra-secure AES encryption. Overall, it's a great backup solution that will work well for just about everyone, novice and expert alike.

If you are not yet backing up your computer, or if you are backing up to a local hard drive, it's time to change. Online backup has undergone tremendous evolution in the last couple of years, and now it is definitely ready for prime time. Installation and setup takes only a few minutes.

Mozy is free if you need 2GB or less of backup space (enough to handle everything except music and pictures for most users) and only $4.95 per month for unlimited backup space. We think this is a great deal.

The first time you run Mozy backup, it will take anywhere from a few hours to possibly as long as several days to backup your data (depending mostly on how many music and picture files you have). This really isn't a problem, as it runs in the background and does not noticeably slow the computer. After that, daily backups run automatically when you are not using the computer (you don't even need to be logged in), and typically take just a few minutes. If the initial backup gets interrupted, it automatically picks up where it left off, so no worries.

The good (+)

• reliable, trustworthy backup solution (owned by EMC)
• solid technology deals with real-world issues seamlessly (like open files)
• secure: all data encrypted, ultra-secure AES option is easy to use
• fast: runs silently in background, doesn't slow down the computer
• flexible backup, restore and configuration options
• great technical support

Shortcomings (-)

• initial backup may take days if you have lots of music and photos (but subsequent backups will take just minutes)

Where to Buy

Visit the Mozy website to sign up and download the software. Their free 2GB offer is the "real deal" (i.e. all features, no ads, no credit card needed, etc.) and provides enough space for most people to backup everything except their music and photos. Unlimited backup space is just $4.95 per month.

Setup Notes

• For the highest security, choose the AES encryption option (not Blowfish) during installation.