FAQ about SiliconVault Online Backup

What is SiliconVault Online Backup?

SiliconVault Online Backup is a better way of backing up your important data files, including your photos, music, video, emails, financial data or customer data. It offers higher level of security, reliability and convenience than most other backup solutions. You can backup, access and restore your computer data from anywhere, anytime without carrying any backup devices.

How does it work and how to get started with SiliconVault online Backup?

SiliconVault backup can be setup in just a few minutes. You don’t need to buy any backup devices. The software and the basic service are free.
1. Sign up a free SiliconVault account (if you have not done so yet).
2. Download and install the very famous SiliconVault Online Backup 3.8 client software.
3. After installation, logon SiliconVault Online Backup and create backup tasks. You can create real-time tasks or scheduled tasks. Your files will be backed up to SiliconVault's state-of-the-art co-location facility in Fremont California. Your files will be safe even under major disasters as your data is protected off-site.

How can SiliconVault make sure my files are secure on the Internet?

SiliconVault takes all measures to ensure your file security.
- By default, your files are secure and private unless you share or publish them. No static links can be used to access your files without logon.
- SiliconVault web facility is generally more secure than your own facility. We are co-located with one of the largest co-location service companies in California. The building has 24x7 security and backup power supply / Internet connection.
- For those users who need ultimate security, SiliconVault Online Backup supports encryption feature. Your files will be encrypted locally before they are uploaded to SiliconVault server. As long as you don't leak your encryption key, it will be extremely hard for anybody to access and decrypt your files.

Why do I need a backup service?

Everybody needs to backup his/her computer on a regular basis. Today, you have very important files on your computer’s hard disk. Those files include your family photos and videos, you personal or business financial data, your customer data or research materials, etc. On average your computer or hard disk crashes every 3 years. Your files are also subject to virus attack, accidental deletion, or any major disasters, such as fire, theft, flood, earthquake, etc. An offsite online backup service like SiliconVault is an ideal solution to protect your data.

I have local backup using a USB drive, what is the advantage of SiliconVault backup?

SiliconVault backup is more reliable and secure than your USB backup. SiliconVault has better facility / infrastructure, all our equipments are fully redundant. So even if one set of devices fail, the system can still work fine. Also, online / remote / offsite backup like SiliconVault backup is safer in case of fire, theft, virus attack or flood, etc. You also get the benefit of being able to backup / access / restore your data from anywhere.

Should I use Real-time backup or scheduled backup?

If you have a small folder with small files that are modified frequently, you might want to use Real-time backup. Otherwise, a scheduled backup is recommended.

Can I back up multiple computers using the same SiliconVault account?

Yes, you can. Please note backup tasks are associated with the source computer. So you can create two backup tasks on two computers with the same task name, they are not the same task on server, so they don’t interfere with each other. You can migrate a task from one computer to another computer, though.

Which folders should I backup? Do I just backup the whole C: drive?

While you can backup the whole c: drive, it is strongly not recommended. You only need to backup important data files. You don’t need to backup Operating system files (Windows folder) or application files (program files folder). These files are not important as you can simply reinstall the OS or applications. If you try to backup those folders, it could take a very long time to upload all the files. Generally you are recommended to backup the "My Documents" folder where you store your personal data files.

Do you support incremental backup or you upload all files every time?

SiliconVault Online Backup supports incremental backup. Files won’t be uploaded again if not changed after last backup. If you have backed up a part of a very large file, it can even resume uploading the remaining part of the file and not start from the scratch.

Do you keep file version history?

Yes, SiliconVault Online Backup supports file version history. You can set maximum of versions to keep in Options.

I have a small business with 10 employees and 12 PCs, what is the best way to backup all PCs?

You can install SiliconVault Online Backup on all computers, the software is free. Each employee can have his/her own SiliconVault account. It is recommended using our Group Account service, which is more flexible and manageable. To upgrade to group account, please logon SiliconVault website and click on My Account, then click on Group Account.

Can it backup my (Outlook) emails?

Yes, SiliconVault Online Backup supports email backup. You don't need to quit your email application to backup your emails. SiliconVault Online Backup can backup files being used.

Why is your service not free?

We do offer free service, however, free service is for personal and casual use only. Please note SiliconVault Backup is a high quality backup service. Our price is the lowest while our service is the best.