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You know about backup, it saves your life, work, memories, and in some instances, your ass. So why are you still not backing up your data? There can be a thousand reasons, but if its due to laziness and a lack of software and hardware availability, then Mozy is the solution.

With Mozy (available for Windows and Mac), you download an application, install it on your PC, define the backup area and it will silently backup your data or any changes onto the cloud with the presence of an Internet connection, without any user intervention needed.  For a more detailed look at the benefits and capabilities of Mozy, check this out. If you’re still not convinced, MozyHome offers you 2GB backup free, so there’s no harm in trying out the service.

Register and Download the client application

Follow this link, browse to the bottom and look for the “2GB Backup Free” to register for an account.

At the registration page, input your credentials and click on “Continue”

If everything is ok, you will be logged in to your account, look for the “Download Mozy” from the left pane.

Select either Windows or Mac

Ready to go.

Install and configure the backup set

The installation process is straight forward. No other “miscellaneous” applications or toolbars will be installed. Follow through the screenshots below.

Clicking on “Next” will bring you through the standard installation procedures.

When the installation is finished, “Launch MozyHome Configuration Wizard”

Your registered username and password

Default selection will do fine unless you know what you’re doing.

By default, the application will pre-determine all the “backupable” content on your PC. If you’re on an unlimited account, fine. But since you only got 2GB space, you need to be more specific. The green bar at the bottom represents the capacity of your account.

First uncheck all the boxes, “right click” on the active window and select “Add Backup Set”.

Name your backup set and using the explorer style window, put a “tick” beside the folders which you want to include for backup.

You will now be presented with something similar as seen here. Note that most importantly, you must “tick” the backup set you created. All the other ticks are just a classification of the different type of media / docs included in your backup set, giving you a clearer picture of what is taking up your space.

Next, the application will test your upload speed. If you’ve got any firewall installed, it may seek permission from you to allow the connection. PLEASE ALLOW.

Looks good……

The default is fine, but I definitely want “Quicker Backups” if there’s a load of things to backup in the initial phase.

That’s it!

Making sure it is running

Once successfully installed, there Mozy icon will be running in your taskbar.

“right click” on the icon and select “Status”

The dialogue box will show you the current rate, and how long more. The top bar indicates the encrypting of your content, the bottom bar is the actual progress status of uploading your content to Mozy’s servers.

I have to caution you that for the initial backup, it will take at least half a day depending on how much you have chosen to backup, and the quality of your Internet connection. It is advisable for you to leave your PC overnight, and close any other application which may be eating into your upload bandwidth. Once it finishes the initial backup, subsequent backup will only be for new content, or any files which have been changed / edited, so everything should be a breeze.

Restoring your backup with Mozy

When it comes to restoring your files, you have a few options

• Right Click Restore
• DVD Restore
• Web Restore
• Virtual Drive Restore

Restoring is pretty straight forward. For right click restore and Virtual drive restore, it is integrated with Windows and works just like any folder actions.

DVD restore is needed for large backup size, and additional charges are involved:

When restoring large amounts of data, avoid long download times and slow connection speeds by ordering a DVD restore. Mozy will recover your data and burn it to CDs within 3-5 business days, then ship your DVDs via FedEx Next Day delivery.

Please be aware that the current FedEx Next Day shipping rate will be charged to your credit card on file, as well as a $29.95 processing fee plus $0.50 per GB of data.

Web Restore is something which you will have to note. You will need to login to your Mozy account, select “Restore Files” on the left pane, and then select the Web Restore option. After you have selected the files to be restored, you will have to wait for an email to be sent to you, informing you when the files you selected for restore is available for download. This can be as fast as a few minutes to even hours or days depending  on your request. You should also note that after downloading your requested restore, it will be removed from your “download queue”.

Conclusion

Mozy shines in its ease of use and elegantly implemented restore options. Personally, I have been using the free version for a quite awhile, and I have to admit that once its setup, there’s hardly any user intervention needed, and I can always rest easy that my important documents and work are always backup up.

2GB may not be for everyone, and for the price of USD$4.95/month you get unlimited storage, which is not a bad deal at all. I have come to realize that traditional backup methods such as burning to CD/DVD or to an external drive is something which the average people WILL NEVER DO NO MATTER HOW USER FRIENDLY IT IS. Besides, who is to guarantee that the “backup” CD/DVD or external drive will not be loss or damage. That’s why I thing Mozy is the solution, and is a perfect implementation and use of the “Cloud”.

If you’re interested in 256mb of additional space for your free account, register through here. Alternatively, enter the referral code 9S5YAA during the registration process.

Disclaimer: When you get 256mb extra, so do I. But what’s there for you to lose?