It's a few days past the start if the new year, but if you're still looking for a worthwhile resolution that's easy to keep, now would be a good time to decide to improve your computer backup system. Or, if you don't have a backup system (YIKES!!!), this would be the perfect time to implement one.
This is a topic that I revisit about once a year because it's so important.
Around the end of 2015, I added some extra resources. Although one of them isn't yet reliable, it's simply another option that might work if I need to restore a file. And I discovered a new version of GoodSync that's well worth the small upgrade fee.
I'll get to GoodSync in a moment, but first let's take a look at the semi-clunker in the bunch. I qualified for a year's worth of unlimited storage using Amazon's Cloud Drive. After the first year, the cost is $60 per year. Unlimited storage is an attractive offer, but Cloud Drive (which is not to be confused with Amazon S3 storage) is a new offering and it really doesn't work very well.
Amazon Cloud Drive doesn't offer file-syncing, which most backup services do and the Amazon desktop app is extremely basic. By that, I mean updating files is cumbersome at best and it's impossible to share folders. There's no file versioning so, if you replace a good file with a bad file, you're out of luck. There's also no way to schedule backups. Or is there?
The new version of GoodSync works with just about every type of storage you can think of, from a disk on the computer you're backing up to Windows shared folders, from Sky Drive to Google Drive, and from GoodSync Connect and FTP to Cloud Drive and Dropbox. And several more, too. I connected some of my backups to Amazon Cloud Drive and I'll tell you how it worked out in a moment.
My backup plan is fairly complex:
So the key players are Acronis, Carbonite, and GoodSync. Adding Amazon Cloud Drive seemed like a quick and easy way to add yet one more layer of redundancy, so I replicated some of the weekly backup sets so that the files that are sent to USB drives once a week would also be backed up to Cloud Drive once per day. The process worked well with smaller directories, but large directories failed with an Amazon server error 503. Amazon, of course, professed that its server is working reliably. I believe that I've finally convinced them that a server 503 error means that there is a problem with the server. In Amazon's defense, the company has offered to work with me to resolve the problem; in my defense, there's not much I can do at this end of the wire if the server stops responding.
The problem wouldn't be too bad if the server error would eventually clear so that the backup could continue, but it doesn't. Once the error occurs, it can persist for hours and, in some cases, for days. That calls into question the system's reliability.
I've also discussed the problem with technicians at GoodSync. Amazon's S3 storage is stable and works well, GoodSync's technicians note, but the cost for 1TB of storage costs about $290 per year for the "bargain" service and $360 for the standard service (plus additional charges that depend on inbound and outbound traffic.) That's a far cry from $60 per year for Cloud Drive. Amazon CD uses a new application program interface (API) and GoodSync's technicians say they can see the problems, including the one I reported. GoodSync offered to send me a special version of the application, one that creates enormous logs, with the suggestion that I might want to show the tracer log to Amazon's technicians so that they can see what sequence of API commands that cause the problem.
Assuming that I'll need to set aside several hours to work my way from the tier 1 technicians up to somebody who can actually discuss the problem, I haven't yet had time to do what needs to be done. In the interim, Amazon Cloud Service is unreliable for backing up some of my most critical files. Granted, they're already backed up to a local drive, to drives that are stored off-site, and (probably) to Carbonite, but that extra layer of safety would be welcome.
One of the key features that I haven't yet used, but plan to is the option to set up a peer-to-peer connection between two computers via GoodSync Connect. This allows files to be backed up from one computer to another without the need for an intermediate server. It does require that GoodSync be installed on both computers, but additional licenses are reasonably priced.
In addition to that and all of the cloud-based services I mentioned, GoodSync allows for backup (one-way) operations or synchronize (two-way) operations. You can also decide whether you want file deletions to be propagated or if you want a file to persist on the backup drive even after it's been deleted from the original disk.
Besides being able to schedule backups, users can have GoodSync monitor directories and back up changed files immediately or following a delay. A directory with files that change frequently might be set to back up the changed files after 15 minutes or an hour or 3 hours. Alternatively, you can schedule backups so that GoodSync will analyze files and backup changed files every hour, every day, every week, or on whatever schedule you like.
GoodSync claims that the application "is much faster than other synchronization programs and it takes less memory." Although I haven't been able to test the memory claim, it is without question the fastest backup application I've ever used. GoodSync says it can analyze a job with 1000 files and folders on each side in less than 10 minutes on only 500 MB of memory. GoodSync can also copy locked files using the Windows Volume Shadow Copy Service. To avoid "access denied" errors, one GoodSync component runs in elevated mode so that backups won't require user intervention.
The updated user interface in version 10 (now available in beta) makes visualization of backup and synchronization easy. Individual jobs can be included in groups and then run individually or as part of a group. Multiple folders may be backed up or synchronized in a single job and if you don't want to back up all of the files in a folder, you can specify files to include or exclude.
GoodSync, unlike many other applications, recognizes when backup files are being sent to a USB drive. I've seen other applications become hopelessly confused when, for whatever reason, a USB drive that was previously mounted as drive J is now mounted as drive N. In that case, the backup application can't find the target drive and fails. GoodSync eliminates this problem by using the drive's volume name.
Security is important to the developers and it might be important to you, too. Best security practices call for encrypting sensitive data when it's at rest (on a disk drive locally or in the cloud) and when it's on the wire (being transferred from one place to another, and "on the wire" might also mean "over the air" if a Wi-Fi connection is involved.) Encrypting on the wire makes sense only if the files are being stored elsewhere. In that case, you'll need to use an FTP server that supports secure FTP. Encrypting the files is accomplished by selecting a checkbox on one of the options screens and then providing a password. For even more robust security, you can encrypt the file names, too.
Although Carbonite is a key part of my backup and I can't imagine operating a computer without an image backup of the boot disk, it's hard to imagine a more complete, more versatile backup application for files and folders than GoodSync.
Amazon Cloud Drive Works, but Not Particularly WellAlthough I'd like to recommend Amazon Cloud Drive, I can do so only if you want to use Amazon's exceedingly weak interface and plan to upload files only once. Possibly when Amazon releases the next version of their application program interface, they'll eliminate the bugs that result in server errors that stall the service. If that happens, I'll be able to give it more than just a lukewarm recommendation.
Additional details are available on the Amazon website.
The Latest Version of GoodSync Can Be Your Key to Reliable BackupHaving used GoodSync for many years, I can unconditionally recommend it. Additional options and a completely new user interface in the latest version simply make it a better deal. If you have multiple computers, the cost of additional licenses for each is reasonable.
Additional details are available on the GoodSync website.
Although most of us are getting better when it comes to spotting clearly fraudulent e-mail messages, the fraudsters are getting better every day and all it takes is a moment's inattention to be victimized. Millions of e-mail messages containing links to malware are sent out every day. So are millions of messages that contain sometimes legitimate-looking requests that can give a thief enough information to steal your money or your entire identity.
Some of the messages are so obviously fraudulent that most people dismiss them immediately. Sorting out legitimate messages from the spam and fraudulent messages is getting harder, but there are several indicators you can look for.
My first rule is simply to consider every message fraudulent until I have a good reason to believe it. Then I look for reasons to push me in the direction of confirming that the message is a fake or to provide reasons to possibly consider it to be legitimate.
If you have a decent understanding of grammar and spelling, examining the message for errors is an easy way to spot a fraud. Large companies and government agencies rarely send messages with spelling or grammar errors. That's because the message will have been written and reviewed by marketing or communications professionals and probably will have been examined by the company's legal department. If you see lots of errors, you can safely assume that the message is fraudulent.
I also review the message to determine whether it seems to be reasonable. You may receive a message that claims to be from the Internal Revenue Service or a law enforcement agency. Simply put, the IRS, the FBI, and other government agencies don't send messages stating that you'll be arrested if you don't settle some claim immediately. So if the message contains a threat, stated or implied, treat it with extreme caution.
Where did the message come from? The "from" address can easily be forged and URLs embedded in the message can display one domain while directing your browser to another. Nearly every e-mail client will show you the real link if you hover the mouse cursor over the link. If the displayed URL says YourBigBank.com, but you see CreepyGuy.br when you hover the mouse over the link, it's a fraud. Clicking the link would take you to a Brazilian website and that's probably not where your bank is. Likewise the IRS or the FBI won't have links to sites in Bulgaria.
The fraudsters can be a bit more convincing, though. Sometimes they obtain domain names that look almost real or configure sub-domains so that they look legitimate. Perhaps you receive a message offering an all-expense-paid vacation in Disney Land. All you have to do is follow a link to DisneyLand.com.fraudster-site.com. Click the link and you won't go to a Disney site, but to a fraudster's site where a fake sub-domain has been created. This is a very common trick.
If the message asks for too much information or information that the sender should already have, it's probably fraudulent. Your bank won't send a message about an account problem and then ask for your account number, for example. The bank already has that. Any message that asks for account "confirmation" is automatically suspect in my mind.
Another obvious clue is any offer that seems too good to be true: 90% off the cost of a new car, an Ipad tablet for $15, and a free flight to Rome are all in that category. And the message is even more suspicious if you're told that you must act immediately. Or you receive a message stating that you've won a lottery -- particularly if it's one you've never heard of and didn't enter.
Phishing messages sometimes tell you that you need to send just a few dollars to cover expenses or fees or taxes. When this happens your should hear a loud alarm in your head.
But sometimes the clues are subtle. You might have a vague feeling that "something" just doesn't seem right. Maybe the message you have looks legitimate. The appropriate logo is present. Spelling and grammar are flawless (the scammers are getting better). The "offer" doesn't appear to be too good to be true. When you're not 100% certain that the message is legitimate, don't click any link in it. If you think it might be legitimate (for example, a message from your bank citing a missing payment), then open a browser and manually type the bank's URL. Log in normally and use the bank's site to request information. Or pick up the phone and call the bank. If you avoid clicking the message's link, you'll be safe.
The fraudsters are getting smarter and that means we all have to be more aware of the dangers.
Apple will pay Italy $350 million to settle tax evasion charges. Many multi-national companies have arranged to be taxed in countries where rates are low (Ireland), but the European Union is beginning to force companies to pay taxes in each country where they operate. This is the first of several cases initiated by Italy.
Starbucks and Fiat have both been ordered to pay back taxes -- Starbucks in Luxembourg and Fiat in Netherlands. Apple has agreed to pay $350,000,000 in tax liabilities for the years 2008 through 2013. It's not clear whether this agreement will halt a criminal tax evasion probe into actions by 3 Apple employees.
Apple CEO Tim Cook denies that the company is trying to evade taxes, telling the CBS News program 60 Minutes that Apple "pays every tax dollar we owe." The fact that Apple agreed to pay seems to suggest that the company is tacitly admitting its actions were less than totally honest. Although $350 million is chump change to Apple, it does tarnish the company's reputation as have other issues such as working conditions in China where many of the company's products are made.
Although I spent a lot of time talking about Windows 10 in 2015, it's been a busy year for other platforms, too. Android in particular.
Android Auto could help drivers or just be another distraction. Those who have driven cars with built-in applications say it's an excellent navigation system.
NFC is becoming more usable. NFC is the abbreviation for near field communication, a wireless connectivity technology for short-range communication between electronic devices. It's particularly prominent in point-of-sale payment functions. Increasing numbers of retailers now accept mobile payments, but it's still not as convenient as users had hoped. Both Google and Samsung are actively pushing mobile payments, but it's going to take a while for them to convince users.
Security updates are becoming more frequent and that's one of the good things that came from the Stagefright flaw that reared its head in the summer. It's a rare day that one or more of the applications I use on Android devices or the operating system aren't updated.
And speaking of operating systems, Lollipop was replaced by Marshmallow. Lollipop's main changes dealt with the user interface, but Marshmallow gives users more control over how the operating system actually works. It puts users in control of what most applications have permission to do.
Phones and small tablets now have cameras that rival point-and-shoot cameras. Manufacturers realized that improving the camera hardware in their phones would make the phones more popular. Apple's IOS devices have long held the lead in adding cameras to phones and tablets, but the graphics capabilities of Android devices is strong enough that Adobe has started porting some of its applications to Android.
Nexus devices were big in 2015 even though they're small. Google announced two new Nexus smart phones (the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X) and both have received excellent reviews. Not much happened on the tablet front, though.
Oh, and I shouldn't forget Cardboard. For just a few bucks, you can buy a holder for your Android phone and create a virtual reality device. Google has even expanded the Cardboard to Apple phones. Check it out here.
Sometimes the first program of the year reveals lots of new features on the TechByter Worldwide website. Sometimes it's big changes in formatting. And sometimes the changes are relatively minor. This year, they're all but non-existent.
Here's what you'll find if you look really hard:
Exciting stuff, huh?
