Remote Online Computer Backup - FAQ
Please browse our list of frequently asked questions for more information on Ozefax's Remote Online Computer Backup services and how they work for you.
What is “backup”?
You can think of it in the same way you think of a backup copy of a paper document—that is, if you lose the working copy of the paper document, you go find the backup copy. In other words, the primary copy of your files or data will be maintained as the working copy on your machine.
If you delete the working copy on your machine and then run a backup, the software 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. (We keep it on file for 30 days, just in case you change your mind.) After 30 days, you cannot get these files back.
What is Remote Online Computer Backup?
Our secure and safe remote online backup service makes online backup easy. We offer a range of affordable plans to backup and protect your valuable data, whether you’re a home user, a small business user or a large corporation. The backup software is used to make a copy of your data, which is stored in a secure, remote location for safekeeping, so that in the event of problems such as hard drive crashes, virus attacks, theft and natural disasters, your data is still retrievable for up to 30 days.
How does it work?
First, you need to create a user account, which will allow you to download our software. It’s quick, easy and our step-by-step instructions will guide you through the process. The software downloads in just seconds, and the installation is simple and fast. When you use the software, you have the option of selecting specific files and directories to back up, or selecting files by backup sets. Simply check the boxes next to the backup sets or files you want to back up, and our software does the rest.
What is the backup software (OzeMozy)?
The software is a simple, smart, and economic way to protect your data. You simply install it on your computer, set it up, and then never worry about data loss again.
Any suggestions on what I should back up?
The software will have several suggestions about what you may want to back up in the Backup Sets tab of the client software itself. You can edit any of these existing backup sets to your liking. We generally recommend that you back up data that is difficult to replace, like photos, email, contacts, financial records, and office documents. You can also create your own custom backup sets based on rules that you create. The old fashioned method of selecting specific files and/or folders is an option as well.
How long does the Remote Online Computer Backup service take to set up?
We generally complete your order within 4 hours, if not sooner, during normal business hours.
Will my privacy be respected if I use this service?
The short answer is: Yes, of course. We do not read your data or sell your information to anyone. Visit our privacy section for more information on our Privacy Policy.
Is the service secure?
Yes. When you use our backup service, your files are encrypted on your computer using 448-bit Blowfish encryption and then transferred to the backup servers using 128-bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption. You have the option of using the software’s key or your own private key to encrypt your data. Note that if you use your own private key, you must be very careful about not losing it because if you do, we won't be able to help. It's impossible for us to decrypt your data when you use your own key. Most users opt to use the software’s key, but the choice is entirely yours.
How often can I restore my data?
As many times as you need to. Home users are limited to one restore queued at a time, though multiple files may be requested within the restore.
How do I view the status of my backup?
Double-click on the software’s tray icon and it will give you an idea of how your backup is progressing.
Are there any size limits or other constraints to the types of files I can back up?
You can back up pretty much any type or size of file. However, a few operating-system specific files can't be backed up, like the pagefile or prefetch files on Windows.
Can I share my backed-up data with another user?
No. Our backup service is not a file sharing service—it's a backup service. While you can technically give your name and password to someone to access your backups, we strongly advise you not to share your password. (Unless, of course, you already share a toothbrush—then it's probably not a big deal then to share a password.)
How many files can I back up with the Unlimited GB Home Plan?
There’s no limit. You can back up as many files as you can fit on your home computer. Just note that the more files you back up, the longer your initial backup will take. Our business plans offers the capability of backing up network or mapped drives for more flexibility.
I have lots of data. How long will it take to backup?
For a typical system on a typical broadband line, it backs up data at about 2-4 GB per day. But if left undisturbed on a fast connection, you can back up over 9 GB in a single day. You may experience faster or slower speeds depending on your connection. You may want to check your favorite bandwidth meter test to measure your broadband connection.
Will the backup take the same amount of time each time I use it?
The backup software does what are called differential backups, which means that it only backs up portions of your files that have changed since the last time they were backed up. This saves lots of time, bandwidth, and storage space. After your initial backup, subsequent backups are relatively quick, and chances are that you won't even notice them.
Will you back up my entire disk drive? Does this include my applications and system files?
The Backup Software was made to back up your most important files (email, contacts, photos, financials, etc.), but not your system and application files, which are easy to restore via your original CDs. Technically, you can back up your applications and system files, but we don't advise this. This is done for what's called a "bare metal restore," which is not what the service was designed to do. Typically, if your computer dies, you get new hardware, and attempting to just image your new computer with your old disk image via the Backup Storage (or any other backup application for that matter) is a tricky endeavor. If you are ambitious, you are welcome to give it a shot, but it's not something we recommend or support.
How do you keep data from being lost?
We utilise a proprietary protection mechanism based on a complex encoding structure to ensure that your data is safe, even in the event of multiple hardware failures.
What happens if my internet connection disconnects or my computer is shut down during a backup?
That's not a problem. It will just continue where it left off next time you are online.
How do I restore my data is something bad happens?
There are three ways to restore your data:
The first restore option is to simply right-click on the file or folder that you want to restore and select "Restore Previous Version." You can then select the version to restore, from the most recent version up to 30 days back.
The second restore option is to restore via the Backup Software’s Virtual Drive. You can find this when you open up "My Computer" on your machine and select the Mozy icon from the "Other" category.
The third restore option is to restore via the web. Go to the ‘Log In’ page, login and select the computer and time/date you want to restore data from. Here, you are able to select all the data you want to restore.
If you choose the free web restore, it could take a few minutes or a few hours for OzeMozy to prepare the data for you depending on how large the restore is. You will be notified by email when your restore is ready to download. When you get the email, go to your Account page and from there you can download your restored data.
Does the home user plan support network drives or external drives?
The Home User service does not support network drives, but if the network drive is part of a server running Windows, then you can install the software onto that server and back up the shared drive locally. If the network drive is running on Windows Server 2003 or 2000, then it would be best to purchase our Business Server Edition.
The software does support most types of external drives (excluding thumb drives), but only if Windows sees your external drive as "fixed." Please note that if you unplug or turn off your drive while your computer is running, the software will see that the files are gone and deselect them from your backup.
What platforms does OzeMozy support?
OzeMozy currently supports Windows Vista, XP, and 2000, preferably with NTFS. It is now also available in for Mac OS X.
Most Windows Vista and XP users will be using NTFS, unless you upgraded from a previous version of Windows. If you are running Windows with a FAT32 file system, OzeMozy will be unable to back up any files that are opened or locked when the backup is run. Microsoft describes how to convert FAT32 partitions to NTFS here.
Windows Server 2003 and Windows 2000 Server are only supported with our Business Backup Service.
Can I use OzeMozy if I am behind an HTTPS proxy?
Our Home Users Backup Service does not have proxy support, which means that it needs direct outbound access through SSL port 443. If you need HTTPS proxy support, please purchase the Business Backup Service.
How do I cancel my account?
Uninstall the application from your desktop, and then log on to your account. Under "My profile," select "delete account," and your account will be cancelled. All of your information will be completely deleted from our databases within 24 hours.