Why online data backup? What’s wrong with tape streamers?

80% of all data is held on PCs*, and of those users who regularly back up, 71% do so using tape streamers***, which are electro-mechanical, unreliable, old/low-tech, require daily user intervention and storage off-site AND 42% of tape streamer reinstatements fail

** sources: *IDC, **DTI, ***PriceWaterhouseCoopers

What is ‘448-bit military grade encryption’?

This is highly secure encryption as used by the Pentagon and other organisations dependant upon sending and receiving confidential or secret information. For comparison, online banking software encrypts to only 128-bit.

What files should I back up?

All your Office files such as documents, spreadsheets, presentations, databases, notes, photographs, graphics, etc.

What data should I NOT back up?

You will already have CDs/DVDs with original copies of any software you use, such as operating systems (Windows XP, 2003 etc) and application software (MS Office, Sage, PhotoShop, etc). These take up a lot of space and should not be backed up – as long as you have kept the CDs/DVDs.

We would recommend you back up your email files (see Technical Support), but these can be quite large files.

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How easy is the First Recovery software to use?

Installing the software is very simple and once you have registered and downloaded the software just follow the installation wizards, which will guide you quickly through the setup process.

When the software is set up you just need to select the files you wish to backup, and schedule the time and how often this will be done (every day, every week etc) and that's it. From now on First Recovery will automatically backup your chosen files at the time you have chosen.

Every customer also receives a free copy of our interactive training solution that provides clear information on how to use the software.

If you require technical support you may:-

• Take out a technical support contract at the time of subscription for just £15.00 + vat which offers unlimited phone calls or emails to our technical support department for the year.
• View our comprehensive support information which is freely available on our website here

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Can anyone else see or access my data?

The security of your information is of vital importance to us (followed equally by providing an excellent customer and technical service) and for this reason we use the highest levels of encryption to protect your files. This ensures that prior to upload all your files are encrypted for secure transit, and once they arrive on our servers they are further encrypted using 448-bit Blowfish technology, which is one of the most sophisticated algorithms available and endorsed by the military.

Only you have the encryption key, hence no one at First Recovery or anywhere else can ever access or view your information - only you can.

In addition to the security algorithms we have in place, information is stored in three separate data centres which are all commercially as well as geographically independent of each other. This reduces any chance of data loss to less than 1 in a billion, billion, billion, billion, which is a lot safer than backing up to a disk or tape.

Furthermore we are registered with the data protection registrar and do not make available any customer information to any 3rd party organisations (i.e., we NEVER sell any information to marketing companies).

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I have several computers, can I back them all up using a single First Recovery account?

Yes. Once you have registered for a First Recovery account you can install the software on up to 5 machines FREE of charge and back up all the information from them using the single account.

For example: if you have a PC and a laptop, once you have set up your account simply install the software onto the second machine, configure the account and you can back this up too. The same applies if you run a small office with 4 or 5 PCs that are not networked, just install First Recovery onto each computer, configure the software and they can all be backed up under the single account. Full instructions on how to do this can be found on our support pages.

Please bear in mind that although we will not charge you for 5 separate accounts you will be required to pay for any extra storage that's required (if your account upgrades).

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How long will it take to back up my files?

The time taken to backup files is dependent on your Internet connection (i.e., broadband will be quicker than 56k dial up) and the amount of data selected for backup. The first time you backup your data will generally take considerably longer than subsequent backup times, as it is uploading all your selected information to our servers.

Once your files have been uploaded, the system knows only to transfer either new or changed files, reducing subsequent backups to just minutes in most cases. Please bear in mind that you can pause backups at any time and also continue to work or use the Internet whilst backing up.

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How can I check the amount of data I need to back up?

In order to do check how much data you have to back up, you need to know where it is on your computer. Many people save their work to their 'My Documents' folder.

In this example, you would:

• Double click on the 'My Computer' icon on your desktop
• Double click the local disk ('C' Drive)
• Select 'My Documents' folder (this may be within the 'Documents & Settings folder) by moving the cursor over it
• Right click on your mouse and go down to 'properties'
• Left click on 'properties' to see how many megabytes of data are in the folder.

Notes:

• All computers are set up differently, so you may need to search a little bit to find the folder/s you require.
• Another tip is to open a document you have been working on, right click on 'File' on the top left hand corner, scroll down to 'Properties' and left click on this. In the 'general' tab it will display the folder this document has been saved to: i.e., - C:\MyDocuments\Work\Insurance Letter - This tells you the document called 'Insurance Letter' is in a folder called 'Work' which is contained in the 'My Documents' directory on your 'C' drive.

Important:

First Recovery compresses your files to make them smaller, so if you have 800mb of word documents and spreadsheets in your My Documents folder, this may reduce to less than half this amount. Digital images do not compress very well, so if you have 200mb of photographs, they will not reduce to much less than this.

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What happens if I need to upgrade my account?

When your storage package reaches 80%, 90% and 95% of it's limit, you will be sent an email advice notice notifying you of this. You can then decide if you wish to delete files from your backups (to keep within your storage band), or allow the software to automatically upgrade your account to accommodate your new storage requirements.

Please note that all upgrade charges are pro rata, hence if you upgrade halfway through your annual contract at month 6, you will pay just 50% of the upgrade fee (the cost is worked out in relation to whichever point you are within your contract).

You will also be kept up to date of your storage balance via the confirmation emails you receive after every backup, so you will always know how much storage you are using of your selected package.

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Why is First Recovery better than using my CD, DVD or tape drive?

Many computers come equipped with a CD or DVD drive, which can be used to make backup copies of your data. These are manual processes and as such involve time and effort; and as a consequence it may often be neglected.

• Someone has to remember to carry out the backup, check that it did so successfully and then store the media safely off-site. How often do you do this?
• Most CDs store around 650MB of data, so if you have 4000MB to save, you will require over 6 CDs every time - imagine how long this might take?
• Tape and disk drives can give a false sense of security, as the media they use are prone to wear and tear (tapes warp, CDs get scratched), so even following the necessary procedures does not guarantee that your files will be retrievable when the critical time comes to restore them.
• If the hardware device you use becomes faulty, you will incur either repair costs or need to purchase a new device.

Online data backup solutions will save you time, effort and money. First Recovery provides the easiest, fastest and most secure method for you to safeguard your critical information on a daily basis. Just set it and forget it - we do the rest...

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Will First Recovery work through my Firewall?

Yes, First Recovery should work automatically through most firewalls. If port adjustments are required, it must allow outgoing TCP connections to ports in the range 44400-44408 and 44450.

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What is First Recovery 's refund policy?

First Recovery offer a no quibble 15-day money back guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason within this time, you may cancel your subscription and receive a full refund (unless the free offer is selected).

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