Why Online Backup

Online vs Tape?

While any type of backup is better than no backup at all, online backup is superior to tapes, CDs, DVDs or removable hard drives in many ways. First, since online backup is automatic and requires no human intervention, you can't forget to backup your data. Second, since your data is transferred over the Internet, there is no expensive media to maintain, no contracts with tape archival companies and no chance of a lost tape falling into the wrong hands. Best of all, online backup restorations are quick and easy.

Encryption and Security

How secure is my data?

Your data is encrypted using better-than-military-specification, 256-bit AES encryption with an encryption key that only you retain. Because of this strong encryption even Net Access personnel cannot access your files. To us, your data appears as large blocks of unintelligible data on our servers. We then replicate that data over 500 miles away to our Toronto data center. The data being transmitted between your computer and our Vault servers is done using SSL, which is the same secure tunnel created when your web browser enters a secured site. As a result, your data is encrypted twice.

 

What kind of encryption is used?

The Vault encrypts each file using 256-bit AES encryption. This encryption provides greater security than 128 bit security typically used in online banking. Each file is encrypted before it leaves your system and then remains encrypted on our secure servers.

 

Can anybody else access my files?

No.  Your data is encrypted before it leaves your computer and is sent to our servers over a secure SSH tunnel.  Since only you hold the encryption key, even Net Access personnel cannot access your data.  It is important that you retain your key in several safe locations, without it you will never be able to access your data.

 

Where is my data stored?

Your data is stored in our Parsippany, New Jersey data center and replicated in real-time to our Toronto ON facility.  Storing your data in multiple locations ensures its availability in the event of a regional disaster.

About Backups

How many different versions of the same file can I store?

You have the ability to save an unlimited number of versions of the same file.  By default The Vault is setup to save 10 versions. 

 

Can I run out of storage space?

No, you can never run out of storage space.  If you look at our pricing section you’ll notice that each backup plan includes a certain amount of disk space, and also an overage rate.  If at the end of your billing cycle you are using more disk space than the plan that you are on allows, you will be billed for the overage at the overage rate for your plan.  We do not hard limit your disk space to prevent your backups from failing and risking potential data loss in the event you use all the space your plan affords.

About Restoration

Is there a charge to restore files?

No.  You can restore as many files as you’d like, as often as you’d like.

 

Can I view a file without restoring it?

Yes.  The Vault includes a feature that allows you to view a file without restoring it.  This works by saving the file to temporary space on your hard drive and then opening it with the applicable program.

System Administration

What happens if I lose my encryption key?       

If you lose your encryption key and have the original installation of The Vault on your computer, you can print your key or save it to a file at anytime.

If you have had a system failure and The Vault is no longer installed on your computer, unfortunately, you will not be able to retrieve your data.  This is because in order to ensure your data is completely secure, Net Access does not retain a copy of your key.

 

Can I change my encryption key?

For security reasons, you cannot change your key via the software.  The only way to change your key is to re-install The Vault and setup a new encryption key.  If you change your key, you will have to recreate your backup sets and backup all of your files again.

Multiple Computers

Can two computers share the same Computer ID?

No.  If two computers share the same computer ID, they will over write each other when they backup.

 

Do all of the computers on my account share the same catalogue? 

No, each computer that you are backing up has a different file catalogue so that backups are specific to each computer.