With the advent of cloud storage technology, people have virtually limitless possibilities for uploading and sharing their personal files with anyone and everyone with whom they come into contact on the web. However, as safe as cloud technology is supposed to be, you should still be aware that this technology comes with notable risks. In fact, if you think your data cloud can weather any storm, you may do well to think again.
Your cloud could be vulnerable to a cyclone of fraudulent Internet activity that could leave you picking up the pieces of your stolen identity, hacked user accounts, and other twisted and torn online activities. If you want to be sure that your data is as safe as it can be on the web, you would do well to understand the basics of how data cloud storage works and to what risks it can succumb. If you run a business of your own, you can use this knowledge to then investigate data storage companies like QTS with a clear understanding of the risks and benefits to cloud storage.
Shared Networks
Data clouds are really nothing more than a hurricane of online data swirling around and hovering in a few select storage locations on the Internet. The pictures that you uploaded are stored along with other people’s data, creating a perfect storm if the cloud were to be hacked. Your pictures, from the cute kid and pet pics to those that you might not want the rest of the world to see, could be stolen and used for just about any sinister purpose on the web.
If you choose to upload your data, you should be aware that your information is being stored with other people’s uploads, and the entire mix could be stolen at any minute. Even if the cloud server promises that your account is encrypted and safe, that safety can never really be guaranteed.
The Reality of Encryption
When it comes to encryption for your data user account, you may assume that your data, like your username and password, is encrypted and safe from being hacked. However, this assumption is actually far from true. Some data storage companies sprinkle the truth about your data storage in the fine print of your user agreement. Most people, probably including you, do not take the time to read this fine print. However, you may be actually agreeing to the fact that your data will not be encrypted and acknowledging that your pictures and other uploads are far more vulnerable than you probably realize.
Requests for Information from Outside Agencies
You also may assume that no one but you can get access to your stored data. You may believe that the government and other third parties cannot simply request or get access to your uploaded data without your consent.
However, you should realize that third party agencies, including the government, often do request information about user accounts and succeed in getting access to the information they want. The online data cloud storage company has very few ways to freeze up the ability to obtain your online data if an agency or government entity gets a warrant or shows legal authority to take over the account. Your user agreement stipulates this fact, which is another reason why you should read your contract before signing away your rights to privacy.
As safe as data cloud technology is purported to be, it really is vulnerable to any number of risks. You can determine if your data can weather the storm or if your pictures and downloads are susceptible to maelstrom-like chaos when you understand the common risks that this technology succumbs to every day.
Author Theda K. Rogers is a mother, and she regularly takes pictures of her young daughter using her cellphone. Theda’s daughter also takes countless pictures and videos that wind up stored in the cloud. Because of her considerable presence in the Internet world, it’s important to her that any pictures and videos stay secure for both her and her daughter’s privacy. Thankfully, she has found that companies like QTS work hard to safeguard customer’s cloud data, and more technologies are created each year.
