Sync or Swim

Keeping your data safe and in sync across multiple machines usually requires two separate applications: a backup tool and a file synchronization solution. But with SpiderOak [1] you can take care of both tasks using one neat service and client software combo. In addition, SpiderOak allows you to share files with other users, which makes it a great one-stop solution for all your backup and sharing needs (Figure 1). But that's not all. The service keeps track of all changes made to files or documents, and you can access easily any previous version of a specific file. This effectively turns SpiderOak into a rather nifty versioning solution.

Better yet, even if you delete a file from your local machine, SpiderOak saves it on the server, so you can always restore it if needed. Using SpiderOak's web-based interface, you can access your backed up data from any machine, which can come in handy when you are on the move. SpiderOak also makes a good choice for security-conscious users: Every account has its own unique encrypted key, and your data is encrypted not only during the upload and download process, but also on SpiderOak's servers. These SpiderOak features are just a few to whet your appetite. If you are hungry for more, read on.

Getting Started

To get started with SpiderOak, you have to create an account. The company offers both free and paid plans. The free plan gives you 2GB of storage, whereas the paid plan will cost you $10 per 100GB, meaning you can buy as much storage space as you need. Also, you'll get a discount if you pay a full-year subscription. Generally, you might want to start with a free account, and if you like the service, you can upgrade at any time. Next, you should download and install the SpiderOak client software.

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