Hello! The use of the cloud has become very popular with both home users and businesses and organizations. In fact, there are many platforms that allow you to easily host content on the network. Therefore, being able to access from anywhere and from any device. Sounds attractive, doesn’t it? However, we must keep in mind that this involves the use of the Internet. Therefore, it has advantages as well as disadvantages. Let’s see which are the main ones. We will also give some tips to use the cloud correctly and not have problems. In particular, we will tell you the basics about cloud storage.
What windows does cloud storage have
First, let’s talk about the benefits of using the cloud versus physical storage. There are some points to highlight that are going to make us opt for this option. Especially to create backups and have them available on the Internet, beyond hard drives.
Available anywhere
The first clear advantage is that the cloud will be available anywhere. We will only need Internet access. Apart from this point, we will be able to log in with our user and view the documents we have uploaded, edit them, delete them. It doesn’t matter if we are traveling or using another computer at the time.
We are in a time when remote work has become significant. Therefore, it is necessary to be able to store information directly on the Internet and to be able to access it from multiple locations. We will not be tied to a single physical location where we have hard drives or devices.
It is multiplatform
This point is essential. We will not always have to use the same equipment, not even the same type of device; we can use a computer, cell phone, tablets. In short, any device that has an Internet connection. That is to say, that it can access a browser or has compatibility with the application of the service we use.
This is another clear advantage over physical storage. Connecting a hard disk to the mobile, for example, is not easy. We would need a USB converter, for example. On the other hand, when using the cloud, we will not require anything additional, apart from simply that the device has access to the network.
You can share with others
Most cloud services have functions to easily share content with other users. For example, Google Drive, where we simply have to add accounts to which we give permissions to read content, edit and collaborate. It becomes straightforward to work together on the network.
This is very useful if, we want to share a folder full of photos from a trip with a friend or family member. Instead of having to share them through a hard drive, USB stick or any physical device, we can simply share them over the Internet, through this type of service.
Avoid problems with physical devices
One more benefit of using cloud storage is that we will not have to fear for possible problems that appear in physical devices. Suppose a hard drive breaks or we lose it. The content will be stored online and there would be no issue in this regard.
The lifespan of physical devices is a major limitation. We’re not just talking about the fact that they stop working, but that they may fall short. Consider a hard disk with a certain amount of memory. It may be enough today, but in a few years it will be short. We would have to buy another physical device. With the cloud, on the other hand, we would simply have to contract a superior service.
Negative points of the cloud
But using the cloud also has some negative points. Some of them may be enough to make some users prefer not to use it. Furthermore, for not being the main option for storing content that may be sensitive. Let’s see what are the main disadvantages we can find.
Limited space
One of the main disadvantages is that space is limited. Although we have seen that it is quite scalable, since it is usually enough to hire a superior service. However, the storage is typically not huge. We may have problems if we need to create large backups or store heavy files.
Especially, we are going to have storage problems when it comes to using free services. There are platforms like Google Drive or Dropbox that allow you to use the cloud without paying anything, but we will be limited in space. For example, in the case of Google, the current limit is 15 GB. If we need more, we will have to pay a monthly or annual fee.
Security
Another weakness is security. It is also a significant factor. We are not going to have total control over those files. If, for example, we store it on a hard disk, we know that an attacker would have to physically access it and steal the information. Regarding the cloud, they can do it remotely, at any time.
In addition, it is necessary to have a protection that is renewed for personal accounts. We must use passwords that are strong and complex, in addition to changing them periodically. It will therefore require constant review to ensure that there are no vulnerabilities and that the accounts are protected.
Internet is required
Undoubtedly, a major negative point is that we will need an Internet connection. We cannot access the files physically, since we have them hosted in the cloud, on a remote server. If we want to access that content while we are on a plane trip, and we do not have access to the network, we will not be able to. Regarding a physical disk, it would simply be enough to connect it to the computer.
We must also bear in mind that it is not just a matter of having or not having Internet, but that the connection must be good. We could even have problems if we are going to access from the mobile, since we could exhaust the data quickly if we download heavy files on our device.
No full control over the files
We are not going to have control over the content we host. In fact, we are going to depend on a third party. If, for example, we use Google Drive or Dropbox and that platform closes or has a problem, we will not be able to access what we have saved, and we will have difficulty retrieving it.
We will have no control over the content we host. In fact, we are going to depend on a third party. If, for example, we use Google Drive or Dropbox and that platform closes or has a problem, we will not be able to access what we have saved, and we will have difficulty retrieving it.
