Currently, there is an increased reliance on cloud-based storages solutions both by businesses and consumers compared to on-premise or in house local storage hardware. Files are kept in the cloud, which basically implies someone else's data centre or hard drive. Amazon made popular storage online with Simple Storage Service (S3) thirteen years ago, and ever since, data from Google indicates that the pursuit for "Cloud Storage" alone as augmented over the last decade by 40 times. As a result, people less often mention it as "online storage.” Due to a huge number of cloud storage providers, one has to astutely select a provider who will guarantee cheap storage and bandwidth, while still keeping their data safe (Daryabar, Dehghantanha. & Choo, 2017). This paper will delve into five of the best cloud storage of 2019 highlighting the strengths and weakness of each storage.
Google Drive
Google drive is a heavyweight cloud storage that provide tied in with G suit apps. Google users have privilege in that they already benefit from Google Drive integration, for example, they are capable of saving email attachments from Gmail. Nevertheless, signing up for the free cloud storage is open to anyone, by just generating a new Google account, even if they do not own a Gmail address. In addition, Google is currently Google One as a substitute for Google drive, however, availability of this product will depend on your region.
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It comes with a space of 15 GB for new users; it is one of the most generous cloud offerings since the storage is expandable free of charge. Of interest is that the Google storage is also shared with other Google services such as Gmail and Google photos of the User. There are several mobile apps that permit easy access for Android and iOS users (Bocchi, Drago, & Mellia, 2017). In addition, Google’s Backup and Sync desktop app allows one to synchronize data from their PC to the cloud Google Drive which is also comprised of online office tools for word processing, presentations, and spreadsheets which aids in effortless sharing of files.
Advantages of using Google Drive include: Data is automatic backed up; in the event of theft of device or loss, data can be easily restored; wide access from various devices anywhere; Google Suit files restoration to an earlier version which can be a lifesaver in terms of collaboration; one can easily link to specific Sheet, Doc, or Slide; it offers users unlimited storage space particularly when one uses Google Suite file; and lastly free and fully functional consumer free version (Bocchi, Drago, & Mellia, 2017).
Disadvantages of using Google Drives include limited number of plugins that can be used within it. This implies that features already embedded in the drive are perpetual and no modifications can take place; Difficulty to integrate with other types of communication. Hence, all files must be synchronized within the drive and not outside; multiuser access is another challenge of using google drive especially when many users are logged in at once.
pCloud
Unfamiliar to many, pcloud is a smart service with a glossy user interface. If your desire is a sufficient amount of space, pcloud provides you with the solution. New users are offered a fairly substantial 10GB amount of space to start with and a further bandwidth allowance 50GB of downlink traffic each month. While people are only interested in the free version, one can upgrade to storage 500GB at a monthly cost of $4.99 (£3.70) or alternative monthly plan of 2TB for $9.99 (£7.50). One can also get additional 1GB storage space on each referral topping up the 10GB (Bocchi, Drago, & Mellia, 2017).
Advantages of pcloud include: large storage space for users who require substantial amount space; it has the best referral reward plan of 1GB free space per referral; pcloud has no file size limits and lenient sharing options therefore one can send large files to colleagues; pcloud also permits users to share files with nonusers of pcloud; it has a neat online interface; it has top-notch security which guarantees safety of data, that is, all document transfers are safeguarded throughout transfers with TLS encryption; it has a pcloud Rewind feature which ensures users never lose their files; and lastly it has a sleek user friendly Mobile App.
Disadvantages of pcloud include: one has to incur the high cost of monthly plans to access the large data storage space; sync speeds for pcloud are less consistent; it lacks a two factor authentication, therefore, may grant a hacker easy access; and lastly one has to incur extra cost on pcloud crypto and extended file history (Cui, Lai, & Dai, 2016).
Dropbox
Dropbox remains as an unfaltering world’s free cloud storage, with a web interface that as always been streamlined and easy to handle. Arguably, it is one of the most popular cloud storage devices despite only offering free 2GB storage for new users. Nonetheless, there are several ways of boosting this space, these include: for every referral, one gets free 500MB up to 16GB of cloud space, one also gets additional 250MB upon completion of the Getting Started Guide, and lastly 1GB storage for every “Master Answer” in the Dropbox forum (Drago et al ., 2012).
Dropbox stands out from the rest especially one starts exploring into its extra service features. It has got a feature referred to as a Dropbox Paper that mimics a group workspace, and upon installation of the desktop app, one can automatically back up their photos. Another feature the File Request enables one to ask for a separate user to upload a document to your Dropbox account.
Advantages of using Dropbox include the availability of various desktop apps for Linux, Mac, and windows in addition to iOS, Kindle and even Windows. Therefore, giving it a broad appeal and enables it to support third-party services and apps. Secondly, Dropbox has a web version that enables users to edit their files without having to download them. Security of files is also an advantage as Dropbox has a double authentication factor for all its accounts. Dropbox offers convenience to users as it is very simple to use either online or by installing the Dropbox application. Dropbox also offers users the ability to share files either to individual users or public by setting aside folders to particular users or allowing for public sharing (Ko, & Zaw, 2015). And lastly, Dropbox is absolutely free with no hidden charges.
The disadvantages of using Dropbox include: Limited storage capacity therefore easily edged out of completion by cloud storage providers who offer large storage capacity. Another demerit is that developers or administrators have the right to delete information from free inactive accounts. Security and privacy of data is also a concern when using Dropbox. Various incidences of hacking and information being stolen were reported (Cui, Lai, & Dai, 2016). In 2012, 68 million account passwords were leaked.
SpiderOak
Founded in 2007, SpiderOak is an online backup, collaboration tool, and file hosting service. It enables users to enter, synchronize and share files through a cloud-based observer. The company is grounded firmly on data security and privacy. They have adopted a policy of ‘zero-knowledge' privacy milieu on cloud storage, online backup and online sharing. This implies that only the client has got access to the stored data and not even SpiderOak themselves can view a client’s data. SpiderOak is designed as a business cloud storage device and therefore has got a basic design which only focuses on security and privacy. Users can, therefore, access settings for all applications from a centralized device management dashboard.
Advantages of SpiderOak include: It allows back up from multiple machines which are significant for users who operate on multiple systems daily and require a single platform to back up all their data. It is highly secure with military-grade high-end security. The company's "zero-knowledge policy and stout encryption assures the security of all data of clients. And ensures limited employees can access the servers.
Demerits of SpiderOak include limited storage space of 2GB only; unlike other cloud storage platforms, SpiderOak does not provide additional space upon referrals; the paid plan is quite expensive, and the advanced options of Spider oak are quite confusing to users.
MediaFire
It is a highly experienced cloud storage operator that has existed for over a decade. New users are given free expandable 10GB space. Space can be boosted up to 40GB by referring friends and following social media accounts of MediaFire. Users can share large files of up to 4GB, with very enticing sharing options with the ability to even share with MediaFire non-users. MediaFire also offers users with mobile apps so as to easily upload and download on Android and iOS (Cui, Lai, & Dai, 2016). Therefore, one can easily access the data they have stored in the cloud and has suitable features like automatic photo syncing.
Advantages of this cloud storage operator include large storage capacity which is expandable with referrals and other features. It has an excellent user interface. Users are capable of sharing file even with non-users. In addition, it provides low cost, long term and very secure storage solution to users.
Disadvantages of MediaFire include nuisance from the numerous pop-up ads and security is of an issue since priority is on sharing and not data encryption. In addition, Users who want to have a large storage capacity of 100GB have to part with $4.99 a month (Cui, Lai, & Dai, 2016).
References
Bocchi, E., Drago, I., & Mellia, M. (2017). Personal cloud storage benchmarks and comparison. IEEE Transactions on Cloud Computing , 5 (4), 751-764.
Cui, Y., Lai, Z., & Dai, N. (2016). A first look at mobile cloud storage services: Architecture, experimentation, and challenges. IEEE Network , 30 (4), 16-21.
Daryabar, F., Dehghantanha, A., & Choo, K. K. R. (2017). Cloud storage forensics: MEGA as a case study. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences , 49 (3), 344-357.
Drago, I., Mellia, M., M Munafo, M., Sperotto, A., Sadre, R., & Pras, A. (2012, November). Inside dropbox: understanding personal cloud storage services. In Proceedings of the 2012 Internet Measurement Conference (pp. 481-494). ACM.
Ko, A. C., & Zaw, W. T. (2015). Digital forensic investigation of dropbox cloud storage service. Network Security and Communication Engineering (Ed: Kennis Chan), CRC Press: İngiltere , 147-150.
