Cloud Internet. How to use the cloud: instructions for beginners

Many of you have already heard the concept of cloud storage or just the cloud. Now this storage model is increasingly gaining ground compared to home hard drives, flash drives and optical media. If you don’t know what cloud storage is and which cloud to choose, I’ll tell you everything in detail in this article.

Cloud data storage is a server structure organized by an organization that provides users with free space for free or for money. You can upload files of any type to the storage, which will subsequently be accessible from any device.

That's all certain. There are a lot of companies that provide data storage space, and some have already gained trust. The structure itself is very simple - ordinary servers consisting of disks, most often SSD drives. You can set up the cloud so that it syncs with your device, such as a phone, and then some files will be automatically uploaded to the cloud. If you need to provide access to your files to another user, then nothing could be easier; everything is done in a couple of clicks. And you don’t have to go to your friend with a flash drive to transfer a video or game.

How cloud storage works

Well, here, I think, it’s clear. Especially what this storage consists of. It is important to understand that the files are not stored on your PC, but on someone else’s. The disadvantage here is that the company at some point may turn off the servers for maintenance, which means access to files will be temporarily impossible.

To work with the cloud service, it is not necessary to use a browser. All companies have a special application that can be installed on a computer or smartphone. Then you enter your data and you can work, for example, upload files to the cloud.

Some cloud storage services allow you to edit files or folders. Let's say you changed some text file on your PC, if this file is in the cloud, then the changes will happen there too. The same thing is the other way around - if a change in a file occurs in the cloud, then the same file will be updated immediately on the computer.

When using the cloud, you can store whatever you want in it, but I do not recommend uploading important confidential data, such as passport scans or documents, there. Like any hosting and server, cloud storage is also susceptible to hacking by hackers. It is better to use the cloud to store multimedia, photos, games and more.

Pros and cons of cloud storage

Let's first look at the advantages and disadvantages of the cloud, and then look at some services that you can use for your needs.

Advantages of the cloud:

• Access files from any device, be it a computer or smartphone.
• Collaboration between companies and users with documents and files.
• The likelihood of losing files due to hardware failures is reduced to zero.
• You only pay for a specific amount of space.
• High protection of your files and creation of backup companies by the provider. You don't need to do anything.

Disadvantages of cloud storage:

• According to statistics, some companies refuse to use cloud storage because of security, but this was only in 2011, now the time is different.
• Hackers can get your files.
• Sometimes the price for the total amount of disk space can be very high.

It is known that the Dropbox service experienced a glitch, due to which, within a few hours, any user’s files could be received by anyone. But, again, this was back in 2011.

How to choose cloud storage

Cloud storage size

There's no need to explain much here. If you need a large amount of memory, for example 5, 10 or 15 GB, then you can find such an option for free. But you will have to pay higher.

Reviews about the company

If the company providing storage space has proven itself, then you can safely use their services. You should not use unfamiliar services. As an example, I can cite Dropbox, Cloud Mail.ru, SkyDrive and others.

Increasing storage capacity

If it is possible to increase the disk space of the cloud, then this may come in handy at some point. The increase, of course, is paid.

Software for computer and smartphone

The cloud storage service must have a client that you can install on your PC or phone and synchronize. Working with the cloud will be easier.

Restrictions

If there are any restrictions, for example, not only in the amount of memory, but also in the size of the downloaded file, then you should know about it.

Which cloud storage options to choose in 2017

• Cloud Mail.ru – 100 GB free.
• Mega – 50 GB free
• MediaFire – 10 GB free. To get additional space, you need to work.
• SkyDrive – 25 GB free.
• Copy – 15 GB of free space. For each referred client you are given 5 GB.
• 4Sync – 15 GB free use.
• Google Drive – free 15 GB.
• Yandex Disk – approximately 10-20 GB of free space.
• Dropbox – 5 GB for free, and for example 1 TB for $100.

Other cloud storage services may be either unreliable or provide little storage space. Now you know what cloud storage is, what their advantages and disadvantages are, and how to choose a cloud.

Some users may have already heard about the cloud on the phone. The question immediately arises - what kind of clouds can be in a mobile device? In fact, this question surprises only those people who are not very aware of the latest technologies.

You may be surprised, but you can’t find any cloud on your phone, since the cloud is the so-called cloud data storage. Cloud data storage is an online storage facility that stores user data. The data itself is located on numerous servers. Interestingly, the user usually thinks that his data is stored on one server, although in fact it can be located on many servers at the same time, located in different parts of the planet.

Why do you need a cloud on your phone?

As mentioned above, the cloud is cloud storage, which means it is necessary to store data. But why, you ask, if you can store them in the phone itself? There are reasons. One of them is too much data that simply won’t fit in the phone’s memory, but can easily be uploaded to cloud storage.

Cloud storage has other benefits, here are some of them:

• Access the storage from any device that has Internet access.

• Possibility of organizing collaborative work with data.

• Minimal risk of data loss even in case of failures.

• Some companies offer to use cloud storage for free (as a rule, a relatively small amount of memory is provided; if you exceed it, you need to pay extra).

• All processes for backing up and maintaining data integrity fall on the shoulders of the cloud storage provider.

How to use the cloud?

Simply download the application of the cloud storage you use, and then configure what data will be uploaded to the cloud. Or download them yourself if necessary. There is nothing complicated about it.

A sociological survey conducted in the United States showed that 54% of respondents firmly believe that they have never used cloud technologies. In fact, the situation is completely different - more than 95% of Internet users use cloud technologies without even knowing it. You use them when you watch online videos, play online games, download music through iTunes, check your Gmail, or access Facebook.

This is how, before our eyes, and completely unnoticed by us, a revolution took place in the field of computer technology.
We use increasingly powerful and resource-intensive programs that require increasingly powerful hardware to operate. We are forced to operate with ever larger volumes of data, and this data needs to be stored somewhere. But if you think about it, we don’t use this super-powerful program very often, and without it we could have bought a simpler computer (like doing it ourselves). And we also don’t need terabytes of data every day.

This is approximately the same logic (only, of course, at a higher level) that Eric Schmidt, who was then the head of the company, was guided by in 2006, proposing a new model of computer technology. Actually, he did not propose anything fundamentally new; distributed computing had been widely used before, but he coined the term “cloud” and after his speech, the model he proposed began to develop rapidly.

Modern data centers contain colossal computing power and huge amounts of disk space. Modern software and communication channels allow servers located on different continents to work as a single unit. You just need to create a convenient access system, and then the entire array of this power can be provided to those who need it. Virtualization tools allow you to divide computing power into individual consumers in any proportion.

And such an access system was developed. Now the user can access remote computing resources through a web service.
Several areas of cloud technologies are already operating and rapidly developing in the corporate sector.

Types of cloud technologies

The first, lowest level is the provision of the right to use software (SaaS) as a service. The consumer does not need to buy expensive software and a powerful workstation on which he can work. There is no need to employ specialists who will install, configure and maintain all this equipment. He simply rents the right to use the software and pays only for the time he used it. Moreover, it can work on any device with Internet access, be it a tablet or even a smartphone. After all, all calculations are performed on the cloud side of the provider, and only the results are delivered to the user’s device.

The next level is the provision of a platform as a service. In this case, the consumer receives at his disposal operating systems, database management systems, or development and debugging tools on which he can develop and deploy his projects.

And finally, at the highest level, the entire infrastructure of a large corporate computer network is provided to the consumer in a cloud version.
Well, what do we, ordinary users, get from cloud technologies? We have already mentioned that we often use services deployed in the clouds without knowing it. In addition, we have dozens of different cloud storages at our disposal. They all offer services that are approximately the same in functionality.

Typically, the user is asked to download and install a small program and create a folder to store the files that you want to place in the cloud storage. You need to configure settings for synchronizing files and folders located on your local computer (as) and in the cloud. Everything that will be stored in the cloud will be available to you from any device via the web interface. You can open free access to a folder or file to anyone by sending them the appropriate link.

Let's look at some of the most popular storages

Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 were already created with an eye to using cloud technologies, and the same can be said about Apple's operating systems. 90% of Microsoft's research budget is used to develop this particular area. This means that the pace of development of cloud technologies will only increase.

Today, cloud storage with large amounts of data occupy an important niche in storing the necessary information, and many of them are completely free.

Hello my dear readers and blog guests. Today, many Internet users practice cloud data storage. All important information can be saved in the cloud, which avoids file loss, for example, if the hard drive is damaged. And if you need to use data far from your computer, then you just need to find a device with Internet access and use the cloud web interface, which eliminates the need to carry a flash drive with you.

Most modern smartphones support automatic uploading of captured photos and videos directly to the cloud as soon as a connection to a Wi-Fi network is established. This eliminates the need to establish a connection between each gadget and the computer using USB, because there is a single disk space for all your devices. If necessary, you can configure synchronization of other files other than the media format.

At the moment, about a dozen cloud data storages with large volumes are available to any Internet user for free 2018. Thanks to such diversity, everyone can find a cloud that suits their needs. Let's consider free cloud data storage services.

The best cloud data storage with large capacity for free

1. Yunpan 360 - 36 TB

The undoubted leader in the list of cloud data storage is the Chinese project Yunpan 360. The cloud provides as much as 36 TB (yes, yes, terabytes) of free space for storing personal data. The only drawback of the portal is the only interface language, of course, Chinese. Fortunately, Russian craftsmen have already developed step-by-step instructions and a method of Russification; you can find them on the website yunpan.ru.

The mechanism for obtaining 36 TB is as follows:

1. Register on the site and receive 10 TB after installing the client for Windows.
2. Adding 26 TB to your account after installing the client on Android.

If you cope with the difficulties of the Chinese language and make friends with the project's interface, you can get disk space that will last almost a lifetime. Well, if 36 TB is not enough for you, then there are two ways to expand this volume:

2. Mega - 50 GB

The name “Mega” is an acronym that stands for MEGA Encrypted Global Access. Developers pay great attention to security and the process of protecting information. This file storage service rightfully takes second place on our list. The company offers 50 GB of free space, which competing cloud storage services in our market segment cannot boast of. In addition, all files are encrypted using the AES algorithm right in the browser window. Those. Even the project administration cannot open the files you uploaded, because they are reliably protected by cryptographic transformation. Information access keys are not available in clear text and are transferred on a Friend-to-Friend basis, i.e. between users who trust each other.

3. [email protected]

This is the development of the domestic holding Mail.ru Group. Provides 25 GB of free disk space to store any files, but this requires register Mail.ru mail. The cloud for storing data and the mail service are mutually integrated, for example, a file from an incoming letter can be sent to cloud storage with one click. For mobile device users, the developers have provided automatic synchronization of files captured on the gadget’s camera. Once connected to a fast Internet connection, the smartphone automatically starts sending new files from the camera to the cloud. [email protected] is a fairly young project that appeared in 2013. It is possible that over time the functionality will increase significantly. Unfortunately, it is impossible to expand the amount of disk space for free, although there used to be promotions where they first gave 1 TB of space for registration, and then even 100 GB.

4. Hubic Data Warehouse

An online data storage service with a fairly generous affiliate program. The company provides 25 GB of free disk space after registration. Does it seem like this is not enough? The developers give 2.5 TB of additional space for 5 invited friends, and the friends themselves also receive 30 GB of consolation prizes each.

5. Google Drive

Probably the most famous cloud data storage, because... is one of the services of such a search giant as Google. The project is integrated with most Google services, such as Google Sheets (spreadsheet), Google Slides (presentations), Google Docs (text documents), Gmail (email). When you create, for example, a text document in the Google cloud, it is automatically saved to Google Drive. After activation, the company is ready to provide 15 GB of free space. Experience shows that this volume is quite sufficient for work purposes.

Excellent balance between quantity and quality, one of the best cloud storages with a large volume for free 2018. There is an application for both computers and mobile devices that synchronizes files automatically. To increase space, you can take advantage of the promotion that Google holds every year. The algorithm is simple: you pass the Google account security check and receive additional gigabytes for free.

6. 4shared

The file storage service, which ranks 82nd on the list of the most popular Internet resources according to Alexa, processes more than 300 TB of traffic every day. After registration, 10 GB of disk space becomes available, you can add another 5 GB if you confirm your email address. Unfortunately, there are no other ways to expand the volume of cloud data storage. For free accounts, there is a limitation on the storage period of files - 180 days from the time of the last interaction with the account. The user interface resembles that of Windows Explorer.

7. Yandex.Disk

Another domestic project, which is a cloud data storage with a large volume for free 2018. As in Google Drive and [email protected], here mail and storage are mutually connected. Yandex makes it possible to use a cloud disk of 10 GB in size. It is possible to expand it by 10 GB if you bring 20 friends, for each of them they give 512 MB. And if you took part in a partner’s promotion, you will be rewarded with another 50 GB. The conditions for these events change regularly, so you need to constantly monitor the project news.

8. MediaFire

Cloud service for storing files, functionality similar to 4shared or dropbox. First of all, it was created for storing and sharing media files (videos, images or music). 10 GB of free space is available for free, and also with advertising. The Windows client has certain problems in use, for example, you cannot share a file on your computer. Therefore, it is recommended to use the application on a mobile device, and on a computer to use the interface on the project website.

9. Cubby

Cloud data storage, which allows you to use 5 GB of free space upon completion of registration. Cubby is a development from LogMeIn, which creates and supports networking products for businesses, so there is no doubt about the reliability and stability of this solution. Previously, registration was impossible without an invitation, but now every Internet user can access the service. If desired, disk space can be increased to 25 GB if you take part in the referral program.

Conclusion

Choose cloud storage with a large volume, which is provided free of charge in 2019, depending on the type of tasks solved using the cloud and specific requirements for the service. There is no point in learning the intricacies of the Chinese language for the sake of 36 TB of free space if you only have 7 GB of important information. And using cryptography to protect the privacy of a photo of your favorite cat makes very little sense.

Do you do video shooting or do you do it all the time? make backups? Then be sure to pay attention to Yunpan 360. Are you a busy person and you need to have all the documents at hand, and each of your devices needs to have up-to-date information?

Google Drive along with integrated office services will do the job perfectly. Are you afraid for the safety and confidentiality of your data? Take a look at Mega, which uses the AES cryptographic algorithm. Well, if you are an ordinary Internet user who sometimes takes photos on your phone and is looking for a place to store files in the cloud, then [email protected] will more than cover your needs.

Without cloud services it is already difficult to imagine modern work with data. And this applies not only to work files and documents, but also to personal archives. And yet, many still prefer to store valuable files, especially photographs, on a computer, hard drive or flash drive, rather than trusting them to servers located God knows where.

And this is a very big mistake.

Storing photos and other files in the cloud is much more convenient and reliable. This, firstly, gives you access to them from any device connected to the Internet, and secondly, it provides greater reliability, because losing a flash drive or damaging a hard drive with gigabytes of invaluable data is much easier than losing access to a cloud archive, for which the owner company responds with its reputation.

But which cloud storage should you choose - more impressive, larger, more functional? To help you navigate, we have selected the most interesting options and studied their advantages and disadvantages. To make it more convenient, we indicated not only the minimum free volume offered in each of them, but also approximately how many photos will fit (based on the average size of each photo of 4 MB).

There was a time when Mail.ru was throwing away free gigabytes: the company provided no less than 1 TB for free use. But the freebie is expected to end, and now only 16 GB are offered in the free Mail.ru cloud. 64 GB will cost 69 rubles. per month or 690 rub. per year, and 128 GB - 149 rubles. monthly or 1490 rub. in year. You should also take into account that there is a limit on the maximum file size - up to 32 GB.

There are applications for iOS, Android and Windows Phone, as well as desktop clients for major operating systems - Windows, OS X, Linux. The Mail.ru Cloud service primarily impresses with its space and the fact that it is “ours”.

If for some reason you don’t trust foreign Google, Apple, Microsoft, and so on, then this is definitely the place for you.

iCloud storage is probably familiar to any user of Apple gadgets. iCloud Drive can store information that greatly facilitates working with Apple devices and forms the notorious ecosystem. Notes, calendars, reminders, program settings, documents, photos, mail, contacts, media library with playlists, backups - everything is synchronized without user intervention, which greatly simplifies life. Nothing prevents you from installing the official client on Windows, but, as in the case of iTunes, the program works more stable in its native environment.

There is a browser version, but it is not very convenient and also does not work on mobile devices. Otherwise, iCloud Drive storage is a full-fledged analogue of any other cloud: creating folders, storing data in them, and so on. 5 GB is provided for free - this is enough for text documents and syncing the most important applications (say, Notes, Reminders, Music, Documents, iPhone backup), but nothing more. Apple allows you to buy up to 2 TB of space - the most expensive tariff will cost 1,490 rubles. per month.

The iCloud service will definitely be useful to users of Apple products, but if you use devices from other manufacturers, there is no point in choosing it.

Dropbox can be considered the popularizer of cloud storage. The service was founded ten years ago, in 2007, and a fully finished version appeared three years later. With free Dropbox you can't really go wild - it's only two gigabytes. This is only enough for working documents; you can immediately forget about a full-fledged photo archive.

For $9.99 a month ($8.25 if you pay annually), you get 1 TB of space, and there are enterprise plans that promise "as much space as you need." This option is not available to individuals.

A paid Pro account - the one for $9.99 - unlocks additional features: increased bandwidth, access options, passwords for links, and so on.

Dropbox is undoubtedly one of the most convenient and functional cloud services, but it's only worth making it your primary photo storage location if you're willing to pay for more storage space.

Another Russian repository, along with Cloud Mail.ru. Yandex is very generous to its users: it gives additional space for inviting friends, on the occasion of the service’s birthday (+5 GB), and also periodically organizes promotions. For each friend you invite, you will receive 512 MB, with a maximum of 10 GB of space you can increase using this method. Partnership promotions are often held: for example, 30 GB were distributed to buyers of Sony laptops and Intel ultrabooks, and owners of several models of Samsung laptops received as much as 250 GB. When registering, 10 GB are allocated - quite normal, this is no longer a measly 2 GB.

Additional 10, 100 and 1000 GB cost 30, 80 and 200 rubles. per month, respectively, and when purchasing an annual package, multiply the amount by ten. Yandex.Disk is presented for major mobile and desktop systems. There is a separate program for SmartTV: you can watch photos and videos on your smart TV without additional devices. However, there are similar applications for other services.

Yandex.Disk is one of the best offers on the market in terms of price-to-volume ratio, and there is always a chance to save money using promotions and discounts.

One of the giants of the world market offers a lot of opportunities. Almost any format is readable, tight integration with the Gmail mailbox is implemented, smart search by photos, just like Apple - for example, by writing “cats”, a list of not only text documents with this word will appear, but also photographs of animals.

Plus programs for working with tables, texts, presentations, and so on. In terms of ecosystem capabilities, Google is not inferior, and in some places even surpasses Apple. If you combine everything in one service, you get convenient storage for all occasions. The service provides 15 GB for free, for $5 per month the space increases to 30 GB, and for $10 the space is unlimited.

Google Drive is one of the most popular user cloud storage services, and this fame is well deserved.

The Microsoft OneDrive cloud service was previously called SkyDrive, but due to a lawsuit with the television company BSkyB, the name had to be changed. 5 GB is offered for free, for 72 rubles. per month - 50 GB. The following tariff plans come with Office 365: 1 TB for RUB 2,699. per year or an account for five people with a total volume of 5 TB, each user has access to a terabyte. Moreover, this is not a business tariff: you can, for example, organize a family storage unit.

The line of tariffs for business is presented separately: maximum RUB 9,372. per year per user for 1 TB of space and access to Office 365. OneDrive's capabilities are the same as those of other storages: collaboration on files, exchange of documents, smart sorting of photos by tags, and so on.

If sharing cloud storage is important to you, and you also use Office 365 or other Microsoft products, OneDrive is definitely your option.

Mega

The company places special emphasis on information confidentiality: end-to-end encryption is used, which should improve data security. If this doesn't seem convincing, the company has another powerful trump card - 50 free GB. No one else will offer so much for nothing.

If that's not enough, the company offers paid plans of 200, 500, 2000 and 4000 GB for 4.99, 9.99, 19.99 and 29.99 euros per month. The service is not particularly popular, but the size of the available spaces is impressive, especially the free option.

The main disadvantage is that it is a little-known startup, and not an industry giant. Hence such generosity: neither Google, nor Dropbox, nor Microsoft need to lure users - people come to them themselves. Unlike Megaj.

Certain questions were also raised by the statement of the startup founder named Kim Dotcom, who left Mega and stated that he did not consider the service safe. And this despite the fact that the cloud uses encryption in the browser itself through the reliable AES algorithm.

If you want the maximum and for free, and are not afraid of rumors and negative reviews, Mega is suitable for you.

We draw a conclusion

Large storage facilities (OneDrive, Dropbox, iCloud, Yandex.Disk and others) can automatically synchronize photos when devices are connected. In addition, you can back up smartphones to iCloud, Google Drive and Dropbox. Either file sharing or collective accounts will help in collaborating on documents.

Please also note that you add all content at your own risk. It’s better to get rid of materials prohibited by law altogether (if you happen to have them), but you certainly shouldn’t upload them to the cloud. And pirated films, for example, may not load at all.

Some storage facilities are more aimed at the corporate segment, while others are more aimed at home use. If you don’t want to spend money, you can create an account in at least each service: one for documents, another for photos, a third for backup copies of files. It won't be very convenient, but it will be free. But the best option is to pay and immediately get all the features and a decent space on the cloud.