It is mixed we backup the MBR in raw blocks. We back up files in Blocks or as a whole depending on the likely hood the file will be changed and the size of the file.
Yes we preserve permissions and ACLs for files.
What do we do if there are 1M changes in 100GB? It depends on where the changes are. We take a snapshot and any changes will be picked up in blocks of various sizes and only those changes are unloaded. So if most of the changes happened in 5GB then only 5GB would be uploaded. If they are spread out across the 100GB the whole 100GB could have to be uploaded.
We perform automatic updates. This is an option you can choose to opt out of.
Each user currently is its own account. We may offer group account management in the future.
We currently do not offer private key encryption. It offers no additional protection. Here it is from the website to save some typing "Private Key Encryption is a good way to protect sensitive data. In online Backup solutions not so much. There are many secure private key encryption programs some of which are open source and some that are free or both. What is wrong with Private key encryption in online backup solutions? When it is built in to online backup it defeats the purpose. You are giving the key to those intrusted (the online Backup provider) with encrypting and storing your data. This gives the uninformed a false sense of security. This is analogous to using a safe in your hotel room. You choose the combination (The password) and write it down on the safe for the cleaning staff (The backup program) to gather your valuables and place in the safe. They lock it and promise they haven't looked at the password. Most of us would never think of using a safe in a hotel room with that arangement. If you have ultra sensitive information on your PC we recommend that you use a third party application. If you have data that would cause you significant pain if it fell into the wrong hands, you should be encrypting it because unfortunately your PC could get stolen."
The technology does not do block compares. The only access to your data is through your account.
Yes, although it is not available for download yet. There is a windows pre-installation environment iso that you can use to restore or repair a disk.
Great catches on the privacy policy and terms. Those are definitely off from what I want in those documents. I will have those revised.
Thanks for the detailed post!
Rasch
I am currently/always looking for better user backups for our employees. We have tried multiple online solutions before (Carbonite, Mozy) and we've tried multiple local backups (rsync to a central server, Maxtor Onetouch+, Acronis Truebackup, etc)
Here are the questions I have when hitting your site. They're just my quick overview thoughts, but they might be of help-
How much does it cost? Do you charge per user, or per GB?
"Every Hybir Backup is the equivalent of a Full Backup at the speed of an incremental. " Do you do block level backups, or file level? Ie, is this akin to Ghost, or more akin to rsync?
"Hybir Backup leverages all the data it has ever backed up for everyone. "
This makes it seem like you do a md5 on the file, and store by that, rather than by the file itself. Do you preserve permissions, etc?
Also- What do you do if there is 1M of changes in a 100G file?
How do you handle updates to the client? Do they roll out automatically, or do users need to download and install them?
Is it possible to have one master account have access to all sub accounts? I'd rather not have them all have the same username+password, so that users can't download eachother's files.. All the same, I don't want to have to keep a spreadsheet with XXX passwords.
"Security a bank would envy" SSL security is great for it getting to you. I'm not worried about that. What about isolation from other customers? Can we encrypt our backups with a private key, so that you compare block-changes against OUR files, but not against others in your datacenter?
"Full Backup" You're backing up the MBR, etc. Is there a way to restore this if it's broken (a boot cd or similar?). If not, what good is it? (Honest question.)
"We may use your PII to contact you in connection with offers, responses to your inquiries, information on new services and features, and in connection with administering and offering our services."
I'd really like to see the privacy policy clarified with regards to the difference between Personal Information (Our name, etc), and the data we upload.
"The Software may be installed and used solely on one standalone, un-networked desktop or laptop computer identified by Customer when subscribing to the Services, and the Services may be used solely for such standalone computer."
This terms of use sounds like it's written for a commercial program, not a service - We want to install on many computers, that's the point ;)
"3.3 Hybir retains the right, but not the obligation, to retain copies of obsolete or deleted files, subject solely to its obligations of confidentiality hereunder."
This makes me nervous, FWIW.
Overall, it looks like a good product, in a very, very crowded market.