Information Week backs Mozy in their online backup software review. Cnet’s Michael Horowitz begs to differ.
July 30, 2008
In their recent online backup software review, business technology website Information Week picked Mozy as their choice for online backup. However, Cnet’s Defensive Computing analyst, Michael Horowitz, has spotted some serious flaws in Mozy’s offering.
Gone forever…
For a start, if you delete a file from your computer then Mozy will also delete the backup copy after 30 days. Yes, really! Even if you deleted it by accident and didn’t realise at the time.
Mozy’s own website confirms it in black and white:
“If you delete the working copy on your machine and then run a backup, Mozy will assume that you no longer need a backup copy, since you got rid of the working copy, and will mark the file to be removed from our system in 30 days…After 30 days, you cannot get these files back.”
David Pogue made a serious flaw sound like a good thing in his backup software review for the New York Times, writing:
“You can view 30 days’ worth of backups, too—a feature that prevents you from deleting a file from your PC accidentally and then finding its deletion mirrored in your latest backup.”
Mr Pogue is clearly assuming that you know that you’ve accidentally deleted a file, but what if you don’t? After 31 days the file is gone forever. The online backup service that I use keeps the backup copies of files indefinitely, which means that I could accidentally delete a file and not notice for years, but I would still be able to get it back from the backup copy.
More than one PC?
Mozy also charges extra for each PC that you backup. Now personally, I have 3 PCs with important data, so that’s a whole heap of extra cash to shell out if I back up with Mozy. There are many online backup services out there that allow you to backup multiple PCs without any extra charge.
File Versioning…
Have you ever clicked ‘Save’ when you meant to click ‘Save As’? I know I have – on many occasions. Then comes that sinking feeling as you realise that you’ve overwritten the original photo with a low-res version you were only creating to email to a friend! Well, to be fair, Mozy does retain previous versions of your file for 30 days (unlike certain providers, eg X-drive). However, I’d prefer to know that old versions of my files are retained indefinitely.
Conclusion
So, despite the conclusions of Information Week’s online backup software review, I would be very cautious about choosing Mozy as my online backup service provider. The flaws in the system are potentially catastrophic when you are dealing with something as critical as file backups.
Sources:
Michael Horowitz’s article on Cnet: Everybody likes Mozy—Except Me
Information Weeks online backup software review: Five Online Backup Services keep your data safe
David Pogue’s online backup software review in the New York Times: Fewer Excuses for not doing a PC backup
July 30, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Interesting article – but if Mozy is flawed, then who do you use?
July 30, 2008 at 11:59 pm
I’m hesitant to mention the online backup service that I trust with my data, as it isn’t perfect itself, and there are many alternatives out there. But if you want an online backup service that provides support for multiple PCs, won’t delete your backup copies just because the originals have been deleted, and keeps old file versions indefinitely, then you could do worse than to give Angel Backup a try.
http://www.angelbackup.com
August 21, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Lousy customer service/support.
I had the Pro service for over a year. During that time, at least monthly, uploads would not be accomplished and I had re-install the software. Inconvenient to say the least.
Then disaster struck. Hard Drive failure. All my business records were backed up to Mozy. So no problem I thought. The computer tech said he may be able some but not all data and suggested I request the DVD backup from Mozy.
I ordered those DVDs on June 23, 2008. The Mozy website said I takes 48 hours to send out the DVD. Seven (7) days later no DVDs. Called Mozy who said my request was being handled. When do I get the DVDs? Customer service replies,”When we get to it.” More calls and emails. Same reply.July 11, 2008 DVDs delivered. Eighteen (18) days after our request. The DVDs are labeled Mozypro, date 07-02-2008, Restore: Vol. 1 of 2. The FedEx label shows they were held until July 10, 2008 and shipped overnight. Why the long delay. Again, no one at Mozy can explain.
The customer service is department is a prime example of how NOT to treat customers.
Yes, I have all the emails, chat records, etc. to backup this posting.
As has been said so many times, Buyer beware!
September 23, 2008 at 1:10 pm
I think mozy is one of the better solutions out there. They have a easy understandable webpage and great customer support. I have had absolutely no problems with them.
I wrote a small article about their backup service some time ago. You are more than welcome to comment this:
http://www.internet-backup-service.com
February 4, 2009 at 9:35 pm
That is a limitation of Mozy only keeping versions of files for 30 days. I can understand why they choose 30 days. I believe the Pro version has a longer versioning time. Another online backup service, IDrive, if I recall does keep unlimited versions.