The cloud—just another dimension where data can be stored until summoned by tech wizards with handheld computer devices and laptops. Well, not exactly. In reality, the cloud is a network of servers that store data for application and software services, accessible via the internet.
Using the cloud effectively on your own personal devices can clear up a lot of storage on your device. Clearing up storage allows it to run faster and smoother, as well as run more applications.
So how do you use the cloud effectively? Read on to find out 5 tips on how to use the cloud for your personal device.
1. Use the Cloud for Backup
If you’ve ever bought a new phone, then more likely than not you used the cloud to transfer data—messages, contacts, photos, phone settings—from the old phone to the new phone. You were able to do that because your phone’s data was backed up to the cloud.
iPhone and Mac users have an iCloud backup to store data on the cloud, while Android users have Google Drive at their fingertips. Other cloud storage apps include Dropbox, Adobe Creative Cloud, Amazon Drive, etc.
Any files or settings saved to the cloud are copied and backed up for future use. Turn on your device’s cloud backup in your settings to utilize frequent automatic cloud backups. For iPhone, go to settings>(your name)>icloud>icloud backup.
2. Cloud Storage for Videos and Images
We all know how fast our device’s storage can fill up with photos and videos—so many memories, not enough storage. Instead of bogging down your device with all these files, save them automatically to the cloud.
Not only will you free up valuable and limited space on your device, you’ll be able to access your photos and videos virtually from any device, anywhere—as long as you have the internet and username/password available.
For example, iCloud users can use a computer device anywhere in the world to log into their account and access all files saved to the cloud. That’s pretty handy.
3. Use the Cloud to Collaborate With Others
Saving big files on a flash drive or sd card to share with others is still a relevant way to share digital data. However, what if you need to share a large file—video, photos, publications—and you need to share it with someone in another location?
Sharing files via the cloud is easy and extremely effective for collaborative work. For example, Google Drive allows users to share and collaborate with others around the world.
To do this, you can go to drive.google.com> open or create a folder> drag or upload files to folder> click folder> click share > enter the email of person(s) or name of google group you want to share with.
4. Save Your Password in the Cloud
New research suggests that the average human being has around 60 to 80 passwords they need to remember. Seems pretty astronomical, but if you think about all the personal accounts people have—Netflix, Amazon Prime, Spotify, iCloud, Gmail, Venmo—the list could be endless.
Saving your passwords to the cloud can save you a lot of time not having to remember or type them in, as well as get you out of a pinch in a situation where a password is forgotten. Plus, it’ll leave room in your brain for other important things to remember like the date icloud was invented.
To save your internet passwords via Google Chrome, go to your Google account by clicking your profile picture up in the right corner> click security> scroll down to password manager> click gear icon or settings in password manager> click “offer to save” toggle.
5. Upload and Encrypt Your Sensitive Data
Personal sensitive data in the wrong hands can cause a lot of security issues. Not only are businesses subject to being hacked on the cloud, but individuals with personal information as well.
To fight this issue, cloud servers often offer a level of encryption to add security. Different levels of security and encryption methods are used depending on the services acquired. Within the cloud, you can upload and secure documents by scrambling and encoding them so that no one else can view them.
Encryption is the highest form of cloud security. Private encryption services give you a key to unlock these files and view them. Only the person with this key, or password, can view the documents.
Pros and Cons of Using the Cloud
Everything has its pros and cons—the cloud is no different. Here are some pros and cons of using the cloud.
Pros:
- saves device storage space
- improves disaster recovery
- increases ease of collaboration
Cons:
- potential security threat via hackers
- requires internet connection
- terms of agreement
While the benefits seem to be a no-brainer when considering whether or not to use the cloud for your personal or business use, one must ponder the cons as well.
The All-Encompassing Cloud
The cloud has given the individual person and businesses alike access to virtually endless digital storage space. As more and more software and services utilize the cloud for its applications, there’s little doubt that the use of it will keep on growing.
By learning how to effectively use the cloud on your personal devices, you will have access to unlimited storage as well. Not only that, but you’ll be able to collaborate with others with ease.
If you found this article useful, check out our other tech tips found in our blog.