The term cloud is now part of everyday language. However, many people use it without really knowing what it is or how it works. Would you like to know a little more about this digital safe that has revolutionized information storage? Elements of the answer in this article..
Definition of Cloud Computing
Cloud Computing is a general term for everything related to the provision of services hosted on the internet. It is not strictly speaking a machine but rather a vast network of servers connected to the internet designed to perform different tasks.
File storage, database, file backup, web messaging, video hosting platform, mapping application, the cloud reigns over our digital life. You use it sometimes sometimes without even realizing it. Listening to music streaming or sharing photos on specialized sites would probably not exist without this technology..
So much for the theoretical definition. But in everyday language, when we talk about cloud or cloud we often refer to the storage of documents online. Simply put, it is a device for storing or accessing data (photos, documents, video, music) via the Internet.
Your files are no longer on the hard drive of your computer or in the memory of your smartphone but on remote servers connected to the internet made available by companies (Google, Microsoft etc.). You can then modify, delete or consult them from any terminal (PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet) connected to the web..
Be careful not to confuse the Cloud with the NAS (Network Attach Storage). This storage unit is intended to be used within a local network (LAN), even if some models now have an internet connection. The NAS is like a kind of private cloud.
Benefits of the Cloud
Mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets occupy a central place in our lives today. Work, travel, leisure, weekends they never leave our pockets. Unfortunately the size of the internal memory is not always enough to meet our needs, especially in photo.
To increase the amount of available space you can add a micro SD card or transfer the heaviest files to the cloud. Most publishers offer tools to automatically synchronize and back up your data. This is the case for example of Google Photo which with a click is able to copy all your photos to an online storage medium.
The other advantage of the cloud is its flexibility. Once the limit of available space has been reached, there is no need to open a new account and then transfer your old data to it as you do when you change the SD card.
You just have to change the subscription plan. Everything is done in a completely transparent way. The amount of available space automatically adjusts according to your needs and expectations.
Also, let's not forget an important security point. Cloud services benefit from an internal backup system. In concrete terms, this means that in the event of hardware damage or theft of your devices, your data will always remain accessible on the servers of your service provider. It is the latter who takes care of all the technical part and manages the material including the risks of attack and virus.
Finally concerning the price, you only rent the space necessary for your needs. When you run out of space, just order a few extra gigabytes from the customer account available to you. The change is generally made in a few minutes.
Note that the vast majority of publishers offer several gigabytes of free storage space. This can represent a great saving for an individual, especially on the purchase of micro SD cards or hard drives. Below are the best cloud services.
- Dropbox: 2 GB of storage space
- Google Drive: the first 15 GB are free
- Microsoft OneDrive: 5 GB free when opening an account and 1 TB if you have an Office 365 Personal subscription
- Apple iCloud: each user gets 5 GB of free storage space
Arguments against the cloud
Due to its decentralized design, files stored in the cloud are only available if you have an internet connection. Without access to the web, you will not be able to use your data. However, with 5G and the democratization of free hotspots (Wi-Fi hotspot available to the public) white areas offering no data network are becoming increasingly rare.
Another problem to take into account is security. This last point remains a major concern for the vast majority of cloud providers. Access to file storage is protected by encryption systems and authentication measures (password, SMS). However, no system is inviolable.
These infrastructures represent prime targets for pirates. The quantity of data transiting on these numerous machines arouses enormous lust among hackers who could thus get their hands on huge amounts of data.
There is also the question of data confidentiality. Sending important or personal files to the other side of the world can be a source of anxiety. Who tells you that the information stored in the cloud will not then be used or analyzed for commercial purposes.
Recent cases involving certain social networks have shown us that data processing practices by companies remain relatively opaque. Remember to check the conditions of use carefully before subscribing to a subscription. The cloud is not incompatible with respect for privacy.