YourNet Remote Backup

YourNet offers and easy and secure method to backup your critical data to an offsite location, ideal for ensuring your data is never lost.

Why should I backup my data online?
Our lives are becoming increasingly dependent on the massive information storage abilities of computers. Many businesses maintain all customer records, billing and accounting information digitally. Many consumers have important information like tax records, resumés, digital photos, music and movie files stored on their computers. What would you do if you lost this information? In the majority of cases, restoring lost data from scratch is an incredibly resource-consuming task, costing upwards of thousands of dollars and 50+ hours. Backing up online allows a data recovery time of minutes rather than days... and no cost whatsoever.

Why should I choose YourNet Remote Backup?
YourNet's easy to use client software allows you to set backup schedules, control which files to backup, and easily restore data 24/7 on demand.

The YourNet Backup Client software runs on Windows only, but you can back up data on ANY operating system that Windows can see as a mapped drive. This means that you can back up Unix data, Macintosh, AS400, virtually anything that the computer running the YourNet Backup Client can access as a shared drive.

What is the difference between remote backup and backup terms I see on the internet?
There are many different names for this product, we like the phrase "Remote Backup" or "Remote Backup Service" but we have seen the same product called:

The names are different but the product is the same. The whole purpose is to automatically, backup up all of your data online, over the internet remotely.

Features

Facilities

Your data is completely safe with YourNet's advanced Data Centers.

• Fiber optic connectivity
• Backup generator power system
• Temperature controlled
• 24/7 security monitoring
• Latest technology server hardware with multiple Terabytes of storage capacity.

Encryption

The transmission of data from your computer to YourNet's servers is completely secure and encrypted over Secure Socket Layers (SSL). The only person who can view your encrypted data is you, using your encryption key, even us at YourNet cannot view it. We support the following encryption methods:

• DES (8.2 Compatible)
• DES (8.3 Standard)
• TDES (Triple DES)
• Blowfish (Variable-Key)
• AES 128-bit
• AES 192-bit
• AES 256-bit (highest security, slowest transfer)

Compression

Before your data is encrypted to be sent to YourNet's offsite server it is compressed with the latest compression technology available. This is done to ensure that the amount of time required to complete your backup is minimal. And with smaller files, you will use less storage space on our servers allowing you to backup even more data.

Certain file types will receive more compression than others. Files such as MP3's or JPEG's are already compressed and will receive minimal compression. Other file formats such as Word documents or databases can be compressed up to 80% (results may vary per file).

YourNet's Remote Data Backup service also uses the latest in "Bit Backup" technology. What this means is that the server uses a complex file detection algorithm to look at ONLY the parts of a file that have been changed since the last backup. Then, when you go to make a backup containing that file the server grabs only the information about that file that has changed since the last backup. This can drastically reduce the total time it takes for a successful backup and doesn't affect performance at all, perfect for files that you will be backing up frequently.

Backup Sets

Once the YourNet Remote Backup client is installed you can start choosing what you want to backup and when you want to back it up, this information is stored in backup sets. You can choose individual folders or file types that you want to back up quickly and easily. Plus, you can create multiple backup sets in the event that you want to backup certain files weekly and other files monthly (for example).

Revision Storing

YourNet's servers will NEVER overwrite a file, everytime you backup your data our server creates a new version of that file. You can restore any of these versions from the newest to the oldest if necessary. This feature can help immensely in the event that an improper file version is backed up and you need to restore an even older version.

The YourNet Backup system retains 90 days worth of file revisions. Therefore, if you change an excel file daily, you will in theory have 90 revisions of that file on our servers. This is a default setting and can only be changed by YourNet.

The YourNet Backup system will keep the most recent version of a file regardless. If we only have a single copy of a file within that time frame, that file will be retained regardless of its age until a more recent one appears at our servers.

Retrieve Files 24/7

Any backup method is only as good as it's ability to easily retrieve said backups. With YourNet's Remote Data Backup software all of your data is only a few clicks away. You can retrieve individual files or folders any time of day, or in the event of a total system failure you can restore all of your backed up files.

How YourNet Remote Backup Works

This is how YourNet Remote Backup works. After installation is complete, you will simply leave your computer on at night. YourNet Remote Backup "hides" in the background without interfering with any other program. You will notice the YourNet Remote Backup icon on the System Tray. At a predetermined time, it "wakes up" and determines which files need backing up, and what kind of backup (out of four possibilities) is scheduled for that night. It then compresses those files into archives that are often far smaller than the original files. These archives are then encrypted using an encryption key known only to you.

After your files are compressed and encrypted, YourNet Remote Backup activates your Internet connection, modem or other communications device and sends your files off-site to YourNet's storage facility. YourNet Remote Backup then verifies your files and goes back to sleep.

Your valuable computer files are now safe off-site. If your building burns, or your computer is stolen, your business can be saved by replacing your equipment and restoring your files from the YourNet server.

Download Client Software

Once you have decided on any pricing / storage limit options, you can download the client software. During installation you will be prompted to create an encryption key code. Make sure to store this key in a safe place, it is the only way to access your backup account!

Create Backup Sets

Backup sets are simply combinations of the files / folders you want to backup and the schedule that these files will be backed up at. You can choose to backup certain file types or select individual folders on your local machine to backup. Multiple backup sets can be created in the event that you have different groups of data that you want backed up at different intervals.

Backups Start Automatically

Once you have established the backup schedule, as long as your computer is on and functioning the software will automatically start up at this pre-determined time. While backups are typically scheduled to occur at night when the computer would experience the least amount of traffic, you can choose to set them to happen during the day as it won't affect your computers performance or ability to use the internet at all.

Your Computer is Scanned

When a backup is initiated your computer is first scanned for any files that have changed or been added since your last update. Only these new or updated files are added to the list of what needs to be backed up. This minimizes the amount of time a successful backup session will take.

Your Data is Compressed

Once your computer has been scanned and the YourNet Remote Backup software has compiled it's list of files that will need to be backed up, it is then compressed down using the latest in compression technology. This helps to minimize not only the transfer time of the backup, but also the amount of storage space you'll be using on the YourNet offsite servers.

Your Data is Encrypted

After your data has been compressed, it is encrypted using your personal encryption key. This encryption key is stored only on your computer, it will not be stored on our servers, and is not transmitted over the internet, thus ensuring the highest level of security possible for your data.

Data Sent Securely Over the Internet

For additional security, your data is then transmitted over a secure channel on the internet using Secure Socket Layers (SSL) technology. This is the same technology used on every banking and commerce site online today.

Data Stored in YourNet's Data Centers

Your data is then stored in YourNet's Data Centers with 24/7 monitoring, experienced server technicians on staff, multiple power systems, temperature control, and fiber optic connectivity to the internet.

Retrieve Files 24/7

Any backup method is only as good as it's ability to easily retrieve said backups. With YourNet's Remote Data Backup software all of your data is only a few clicks away. You can retrieve individual files or folders any time of day, or in the event of a total system failure you can restore all of your backed up files.

FAQs

• Why backup?
  Most small businesses put their lives on the line every night and don't even realize it. With businesses depending more and more on the data stored in their computer, proper backups are becoming much more critical. Remote backups accomplish several essential steps that are often overlooked or done improperly by other backup software - especially non-automated tape backup systems.
• What is Remote Backup?
  Remote backup works basically like regular tape backups, with one important difference. Instead of sending backups to a tape or zip drive attached to the computer, remote backup works by sending data over broadband connections or regular telephone lines to another computer safely off-site. It does this (usually) at night while the business is closed and nobody is using the computer. It's completely automatic.
• What is the difference between remote backup and backup terms I see on the internet?
  There are many different names for this product, we like the phrase "Remote Backup" or "Remote Backup Service" but we have seen the same product called:

  off site data backup, off site data storage, offsite backup software, offsite data backup, offsite data storage, offsite storage, online data storage, online backup, online backup service, online backup services, online backup software, online backup storage, online data backup, online data storage, online file storage, internet backup, internet file storage, internet storage

  The names are different but the product is the same. The whole purpose is to automatically, backup up all of your data online, over the internet remotely.
• Why would I need an offsite backup service?
  Most small businesses do not perform a backup even if they have a tape drive. Of those that do, over half do not backup their system correctly. Usually when someone needs a critical file they find out that their tapes are corrupted and useless, or that the backups were never done in the first place. Only a small fraction of these people ever take their backups offsite. In order to take backups offsite they would need to wait for the backup to finish, which could take hours, and then they would have to carry it with them back and forth to the office. An Offsite Backup Service will execute automatically on a set schedule, transporting the data offsite, and securing it from prying eyes. Most importantly, any version of any file can be accessed immediately for a restore without having to retrieve a tape from offsite.
• What if we already have a tape backup system?
  Using both a tape backup system and a remote backup system offers the best of both worlds. Critical files, like billing, customer contact files and databases can be kept on the remote backup system. The tape system can be used to create a full backup of the entire file system—including program files—once or twice a month. The remote backup system can provide a quick and easy way to retrieve critical files and databases without the hassle of searching through tapes. Also, if you dont regularly restore your tape backups, how do you know they are not corrupt. You would be suprised how many times one restores a tape only to find the information missing, or worst case, corrupt.
• How secure is YourNet Remote Backup?
  Very. You, and you alone, have access to your data files because YourNet Data Backup encrypts your data prior to transmission to our offsite backup server. Military-grade encryption technology and a user-defined password (encryption key) ensure that nobody, including employees of YourNet Connection, can access your data. Compare this to the total lack of security on most tape and zip drive systems. Encryption means your files are locked up before they are sent out on the Internet.
• What tasks are required to run a daily backup?
  None! The actual backup process itself is fully automated. Once you have configured the time, frequency and list of files to be backed up into the client software, the actual backup will take place automatically on schedule. All you have to do is keep your PC turned on when you leave the office in the evening.
• Is it really inexpensive?
  Absolutely! First, you can eliminate the costs of any backup related hardware and media immediately. That alone can save you anywhere from $400 to over $2000 in costs. Second, you may have an employee who does your backups now. If you pay that employee $9/hour and it takes on average one hour each day to perform the backup, that would be $180 a month, plus your payroll taxes. We can accommodate many businesses with a plan that starts at $50 per month. Are you absolutely sure your employee is doing the backups properly? Many people do not truly know how to do a proper backup, and most do not find out they were doing it wrong until it is just too late.
  
  A recent study discloses that it takes 19 days and cost in excess $17,000 to re-enter just 20 megabytes worth of sales and marketing data. Retrieving accounting records is even worse; they require over 21 days of work and cost over $19,000 to re-type. It is essential to be pro-active and prevent a data loss from occurring to your business. Your insurance may be able to replace your computers after a failure, disaster, or theft. Unfortunately, they cannot replace the most important part, which is your data. With businesses depending more and more on the data stored in their computers, proper backups are becoming much more critical.
• How often is the backup done?
  Backups are done on a schedule customized for each client, usually at night. Most businesses don't do this. For one reason or another, they don't keep a regular backup regimen. Usually it's because the person responsible for doing backups (if there is one) is too busy doing something else, someone is using the computer when it's time for a backup, or they simply forget. Since Offsite Backups are done with automated software, backups are always performed on schedule.
• What do I do if I forget or lose my encryption password?
  Lost passwords cannot be recovered. For this reason, we highly encourage safely storing your password. Without it, your data will be lost. During the installation process, you will have the option to print out your encryption info and save a backup key file.
• Do I have to leave my computer on all night?
  Usually. Some businesses with low storage requirements can backup during the day because their backups can finish very quickly. However, most businesses already leave their computers running 24/7, and there is no harm in doing so. In fact, some reports even suggest that leaving your computer on all the time is much less harmful than turning it on and off regularly.
• Can I specify the scheduled days and times backups are done?
  Absolutely. Your backups can occur each weeknight, can also occur on Saturdays and Sundays, and in some situations can occur during the day. The backups are scheduled so that your business will be protected and not be interrupted.
• What platforms does YourNet Remote Backup support?
  YourNet Remote Backup runs on all 32-bit Windows operating systems including Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, 2003, ME and XP. It runs in the background, and will not interfere with other programs you run.
  
  The YourNet Backup Client software runs on Windows only, but you can back up data on ANY operating system that Windows can see as a mapped drive. This means that you can back up Unix data, Macintosh, AS400, virtually anything that the computer running the YourNet Backup Client can access as a shared drive.
• What type of Internet connection is required?
  Any type of connection, high speed LAN, T1, Cable, or DSL. However, the faster your internet connection, the better. The rate of transfer of your data from your computer to our offsite server is dependant on how fast your computer can access the Internet. For most small businesses, a DSL or Cable speed connection is sufficient. For individuals backing up smaller files from your home computer even a dialup connection is sufficient.
• How easy is it to restore data?
  Very. The client software that comes with YourNet Remote Backup allows you to open a secure connection to our offsite backup servers any time, any day. You can then browse your backed up files and make any necessary file restorations.