Making Sure Your Cloud Storage Is Secure
Recent developments in the iCloud celebrity photo hacking situation have caused more concern about the security of cloud storage, adding to the fears that as soon as your data is uploaded to the cloud, it is automatically public domain, or is waiting to be plucked by someone eventually. Although most cloud storage services offer a completely secure platform on which to store your data, the best way to make sure of that is by making sure your cloud storage is secure. As we have mentioned before in several articles, proper research and learning the product can go a long way toward protecting your data from prying eyes.
If you plan on keeping your data completely private and confidential, there are some important things that must be in place, such as privacy settings, which are designed to keep anyone but you from seeing your files. When you begin to upload your files, it is important to verify that the settings provide this necessary level of privacy. We would recommend testing it as well, in every way possible. Does the service associate the uploaded file with any types of share links? If so, test those links while logged out of your cloud storage account to make sure they can’t be accessed publicly. If you get a message saying that the file is private or can’t be found, you are good to go.
Some cloud storage services also have folders designated for sharing files, which means that anytime you upload a file to those folders, they will automatically be visible to the public. So another thing to verify is whether or not your provider has such a folder. If they do, then you know to not store any files there. Check the privacy settings on the other folders provided to make sure they are private, or create a new folder on your account with those settings.
Although most people don’t like to do this and find it to be a bore, you should familiarize yourself with the service’s user guide, which will be a comprehensive list of everything it can do, as well as providing instructions on how to do it. Take the time to learn about the web interface, as well as the software they offer. If you notice anything that isn’t covered in the user guides or is unclear, be sure to check other resources, such as their knowledge base, forum or FAQ, and if it can’t be found there, then follow up with their technical support staff, who will be able to guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
Once you have your account secured, and have verified that there is no way that the files can be accessed publicly in any way, you can begin uploading your data to the cloud, resting assured that it will be safe from prying eyes or any other type of compromise whatsoever. Like with any other type of product or service, the more familiar you are with it, the more powerful it is and the better it will serve you. Cloud storage is no different. The true power is in the wealth of its features, and learning how to properly use those features to the utmost of their potential, especially the security features, will make your cloud experience as rewarding as possible.
