Why Online Backup Over Tapes or Drives?

• No costs for hardware, software or any additional costs - Backup-EZ provides the software at no cost.
• No complicated setup - Online backup systems don't require as much setup and configuration as other systems that require hardware and backup media.
• Automated backups - Backup-EZ runs automatically, requiring no user intervention.
• Offsite storage - Tapes and drives require a person to take them offsite and store them in a safe location. Backup-EZ stores your data in two remote locations that are more than 100 miles away from each other. If a disaster strikes where your computer is located, your data remains safe.
• Backup directory - Backup-EZ provides a directory of data that is as easy as navigating through your own system, making them much easier to restore when needed.
• Always accessible - As long as you have the username and password, you can access your data from anywhere in the world with Internet access.

Is Backup-EZ Safe and Secure?

Yes. The data is encrypted and compressed using a 128-bit, military-level encryption before it ever leaves your computer system. In addition, it is encrypted again as it is uploaded to the Internet. Your data cannot be read by anyone who does not have your decryption key, including Backup-EZ technicians. Backup-EZ is well within the H.I.P.P.A. guidelines for safety and security.

What type of encryption does Backup-EZ use?

Backup-EZ uses an encryption method known as Twofish, which is a block cipher by Counterpane Labs, published in 1998. All data is then transferred over the internet using SSL (Secure Socket Layer), a cryptographic protocols that provide secure communications between two systems.

Can I use Backup-EZ to backup databases?

Yes. Whereas many other online applications will not backup databases, Backup-EZ’s server application, Server-EZ, provides the ability to backup the following databases:

• Microsoft SQL Server
• Oracle
• MySQL
• Lotus Notes
• Lotus Domino
• Microsoft Exchange Server

Backup-EZ supports full and incremental (log backups) of Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Exchange Server, Oracle, and Lotus Notes/Domino.

How often do my files get backed up?

You set the exact times and frequency that you want your backup to occur.

Does every file get backed up?

Yes. The initial backup includes every file. After the initial backup, Backup-EZ then downloads the delta of each file. When the incremental changes of a file become more than 50%, a new download of the complete file performed.

Do I need a technical background to setup Backup-EZ?

No. If you have a basic knowledge of how to turn on and use a computer and use the Internet, you can setup your automatic backup. To setup your account, go to the account page and fill in the form. You will receive an email with your password and a link to setup the program. Backup-EZ installs in minutes and automatically configures itself to back up your documents every night. In addition there are instructions for configuring backups on both Desktop-EZ and Serer-EZ.

How much time will I have to spend learning to use Backup-EZ?

The setup will take about 5-10 minutes, after that Backup-EZ will run automatically. Depending upon how much data you are backing up, the initial upload may take a day or two or three. During this time, you are required to leave your computer on. When the backup is finished, you will receive an email telling you that backup has been successful. If you should turn off your computer during the initial upload, the backup will be paused until you turn your computer back on and log on to Backup-EZ again. You will receive an email saying that your backup has been interrupted. After the initial upload is complete, you will not have to do anything. Your documents and settings will be backed up everyday without any action on your part. If you want to customize the time backup takes place or modify the amount of data that is being backed up, that can usually be done in a few minutes.

Where will my data be stored?

Your data will be stored at the Backup-EZ Headquarters in Chico, California, as well as a data storage vault in Sacramento, more than 100 miles away from Chico.

What happens if Backup-EZ Headquarters is destroyed by a disaster?

The Backup-EZ servers are located in a very secure data center that is designed to withstand most disasters. The data-center has multiple power sources and its own power generator. Advanced alarm systems, environmental control and fire containment and suppression are designed into the facility. The Backup-EZ data is stored on redundant disk arrays to protect against common hardware problems.

If Backup-EZ Headquarters suffers a major disaster, the Backup-EZ system will continue to operate from the secondary location.

Can anyone else access my data?

No. Your data is encrypted with a key that only you choose. Your data never leaves your computer in unencrypted form. Your data cannot be read without the encryption key, which only you will know. Your encryption key is never transmitted to the datacenter. Even Backup-EZ technicians cannot access your data.

Should I stop using my tape backup system?

That is completely up to you. You can continue to use your tape backups if you desire, but all of your valuable documents and settings will be securely stored offsite with Backup-EZ.

Can anyone else access my data?

No. Your data is encrypted with a key that only you choose. Your data never leaves your computer in unencrypted form. Your data cannot be read without the encryption key, which only you will know. Your encryption key is never transmitted to the datacenter. Even Backup-EZ technicians cannot access your data.

I am currently copying my data to CDs for backup, why should I use Backup-EZ?

CD backups can be lost, stolen or faulty. CD backups also require a person to make the manual effort everyday to copy the data and secure the CDs in a safe location. Backup-EZ performs your backups automatically and stores your data offsite without any manual effort on your part. You will not miss any backups because you forgot to change the CD!

I am currently using a mirrored hard drive for backup, why should I use Backup-EZ?

Ultimately hardware fails or dies. Backup-EZ is an automated system that does not require any hardware.

How hard is it to restore my data if it gets lost?

Your data can be easily restored using the same Backup-EZ software that is installed on your system to perform the backups. You can also restore your data from our website without any additional software on your system. If it is an emergency situation and you need a quantity of data that you cannot wait for it to download to your system, Backup-EZ has the following emergency program in place during business hours Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time:

1. You may pick up your data at Backup-EZ Headquarters in Chico, California. Backup-EZ will even lend you and external hard drive to transport your data.
2. You may call Backup-EZ Headquarters and request that we overnight you your data.
3. If you are located within 100 miles of Backup-EZ headquarters, you may request that a Backup-EZ technician deliver your data and assist you in getting your data loaded back onto your system.

Can Backup-EZ backup my Outlook personal folders file (.PST)?

Yes. Outlook .PST files can grow quite large which makes them difficult to backup to CD's or other media. In addition, they usually contain valuable documents and information that should be backed up frequently and retained. Backup-EZ makes backing up Outlook PST files practical. The first time you backup a large file, like your PST file, it will take some time. After the initial backup, only the new data and changed areas of the file will be backed up. If you ever lose your PST file, you can easily restore the entire file.

Why do I need Backup-EZ if I have SMART technology that gives early warning before a disk failure?

SMART technology is very good if your computer has software that monitors it. SMART will report conditions that may lead to drive failure before the drive fails. However, SMART does not predict all failures and cannot predict some of the common causes of disk failure, i.e. voltage surges, shock, mechanical failure... Valuable data should be backed up frequently and stored in a secure location regardless of the type of disk drive or monitoring technology in use.

How long are my files retained at Backup-EZ?

Backup-EZ retains your files for as long as you keep the account. The current versions of the files you backup are retained indefinitely. Files that you delete from your computer, or older versions of files that you have modified are retained according to a retention policy that you set. By default Backup-EZ keeps files that you have deleted for 7 days. If you deleted a file by mistake then you have 7 days to recover it. You can increase the number of days that deleted and old versions of files will be retained which increases your storage requirements.

How do you know that a file didn't lose some bits during transmission?

Backup-EZ uses modern error detection techniques to verify the integrity of each block of data transmitted. If an error is detected the block is retransmitted.

What if a hard disk fails on the Backup-EZ servers?

Backup-EZ uses fault tolerant disk arrays for storing customer data. The failure of a single disk will not result in loss of customer data. In addition, the entire storage array is replicated to a second storage facility in a datacenter more than 100 miles away to ensure that your data will not be lost if a catastrophic event occurs at the primary data center.

Is there a contract?

There is no contract that binds you to use the service for a certain period of time. You can cancel your account at anytime on our website in the account section. When your account is cancelled, the billing will stop immediately.

If I cancel my Backup-EZ account, what happens to my data?

When you cancel your Backup-EZ account an email will be sent to the registered email address giving you notice that your account will be terminated in 5 business days. The email and grace period are for your protection in case of a mistake or unauthorized cancellation request. During this period of time, you may restore any files that you want to retain. After the 5 day grace period, your data that resides on the Backup-EZ storage system will be permanently destroyed.

My auditors require that I keep 5 years of backup data, do I need to set the retention policy to 1825 days?

Not necessarily, it depends on your backup requirements. If you need to be able to restore any of the snapshots for those 1825 days, then yes, you need to set a simple 1825-day retention policy. On the other hand, if say for each of the 5 years, your auditor only needs the snapshots on December 31 of each year, then you can make use of the "Advanced Retention Policy" feature, where you have options to keep yearly, quarterly, monthly, or daily snapshots. With this flexibility, you should be able to configure your required backup policy.

What are Off-line backup, Logout backup reminder and Local backup features?

Off-line backup is basically designed for notebook users who are off-line most of the time and cannot rely on backup schedule to backup regularly. The backup interval allows notebook users to specify the interval that they would like their data to backup. If this interval has elapsed, backup will run automatically once this machine is online.

Logout backup reminder asks user if they would like to backup if they logout of the computer or shutdown their computer.

Local backup allows an extra copy of backup file to be kept on local hard disk when running Backup-EZ

Can anyone else access my data?

No. Your data is encrypted with a key that only you choose. Your data never leaves your computer in unencrypted form. Your data cannot be read without the encryption key, which only you will know. Your encryption key is never transmitted to the datacenter. Even Backup-EZ technicians cannot access your data.

I keep getting a prompt reminding me to do backup when I logout Windows, can I disable that?

That is the “System Logout Backup Reminder”. Please do the following to disable that:

1. Logon to the Backup-EZ Manager
2. Select the backup set that you want to disable the logout reminder from the left panel
3. Select the [Extra Backup] node under the backup set node on the left panel
4. Uncheck the [Enable System Logout Backup Reminder] checkbox under the “System Logout Backup Reminder (Windows)” section
5. If you want to do this to all backup sets, please repeat the previous step for each backup set
6. Press the [Save Setting] button from the toolbar