Backblaze Company Information and Review

Though they are one of the newer faces in the online backup service arena, they have been around since 2007. Backblaze offers up one of the easiest backups for the money. A new feature even enables you to access your files from a web browser should you need to. This can be handy if you are someplace where your files are not, and you need to access them. If you are like many people and you have an external USB hard drive connected to your computer, you are in luck. With Backblaze backup software, you are able to backup the external USB drive! If you came here looking for a very simple online backup service with external USB drive support, you found it. $5 USD / Per month or $50/Year if you get it all at once.

Great service if you need: Online Secure data backup and remote file access made easy. Ability to backup external drives. Free trial is available.

Information obtained from the company website, Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission, May 2009.

Website: Backblaze.com

Contact: salescontact@backblaze.com

Company: Backblaze

Location: 425A Forest Ave., Palo Alto CA 94306

Telephone: 650-352-3738

Operating since: 2007

Summary: Backblaze offers online file backup services.

Details: A couple of really good things that stand out- First, a Free Trial to put it to the test for yourself. They are very serious about data security, and in this age of Identify Theft, that’s a hot button for sure. They perform encryption of your data on your PC before it’s sent off to the cloud, a process that’s also encrypted. When it arrives at Backblaze, it’s stored encrypted on their systems as well. That means that your data is protected from the prying eyes at every step of the transfer. They also will let you provide your own key for encryption, which means, that none of the propeller heads (ubergeeks) at Backblaze could see your real data if their lives depended on it. They keep the service plans easy too, just one plan with unlimited storage for backups for $60 USD a year per computer. Most of the data transfers will take place by using the client application that you install on your PC. You can also login from a website to access your files, which is a new feature that can be a real lifesaver if you somewhere and don’t have your files with you. Insure yourself with data protection with Backblaze, because even complex problems like backup need easy answers.

Free Backblaze account available: You can try it yourself for 15 day free Trial account.

Paid Backblaze account available: Yes, simple plan with unlimited backup space for $5/Month or $50/USD a year (when you buy it all at once, you get two months free).

Single file size limit: 4GB limit, which is more of a safeguard since it’s hard to put a file much over 4GB on a DVD. If you have files larger than 4GB, you might want to compress them or break them into smaller files.

Free Trial: Yes, 15 days with unlimited backup storage space.

Platforms supported: Client Application & Web browser based service. Windows XP 32-bit, Windows Vista 32-bit and 64-bit, Windows 7 32-bit and 64-bit, and Intel based Mac OSX 10.4 and newer.

Backblaze client software download required for use: Yes, for backups and restores, but file access and restores can also take place over the web browser interface. Backblaze can also send you recovery files on USB Drives, DVDs and USB Hard Drives.

Online File Backup Details

Designed for easy online file backups: Yes

Completely automatic backups: Yes

User defined backups: Yes

User defined bandwidth option for backups and restore process: Yes, 256kbps is default, but you can slow it down to 20kbps or up to Full Throttle at your preference.

Can data be sent to Backblaze to seed the initial backup: No

Support for backup of attached USB drives: Yes

Support for open and locked files: Yes

Tracking and storage of multiple versions of files: Yes, up to 4 weeks of versions per file.

Can multiple PCs files be backed up using one backup account: Yes, multiple PCs can be on one account, but please keep in mind that each PC/Computer will have the $5/USD/Month charge (3 computers, $15/Month for example).

Can servers be backed up: Yes

Designed for easy online file restore: Yes

Designed that data be restored via web browser: Yes

Designed so that data be sent to you on DVD, Hard Drive or other device: Yes

Online File Storage Details

Designed for easy data storage: Yes

File transfer: Uploads to Backblaze use the client application. Restore managed by client application, web browser or as requested by client for USB drive, DVD or USB hard drive recovery option.

Online File Access Details

Online access to files from anywhere: Yes

Search capability to help you locate specific files: No

Online File Sharing Details

Designed for easy file sharing: Not Applicable

Designed for easy music sharing: Not Applicable

Designed for easy photo sharing: Not Applicable

Designed for easy video sharing: Not Applicable

Online Team Collaboration Details

Online team collaboration features beyond file sharing / folder sharing: Not Applicable

Online & Offline File Synchronization Details

Online file sync across multiple computers or devices: No, not across multiple computers. Files backed up daily or upon request in the Backblaze client application.

Offline file sync across multiple computers or devices: No, but if you were offline and files were changed, the Backblaze client application would recognize the file/s were updated and they would be backed up to Backblaze when you were reconnected to the Internet.

Web 2.0 Support Details

Support for integration with online editing of text data files: No

Support for integration with online editing of multiple document types: No

Support for integration with online communities such as Facebook, MySpace and others: Not Applicable

Security & Encryption Details

Encryption for sign up and login: Yes (SSL)

File transfer processes encrypted: Yes

Files encrypted on local computer as part of Backblaze.com service: Yes

Files encrypted on Backblaze.com systems: Yes

Encryption type for storage: 128-bit AES symmetric key

Encryption key management for storage: Backblaze.com guards subscribers’ private keys closely for access, but also provides the option for subscribers to guard their own key so that nobody at Backblaze.com will have it.

Datacenter Information:

Datacenter/s location disclosed: Yes

Datacenter/s facilities described: Yes, large complex with other companies such as Sun Micro, Cnet and Esurance and staffed 24×7. 24” raised floor with Seismic Pedestals.

Datacenter/s telecommunication capability described: Yes, 25 Independent Telecom Providers

Datacenter/s security levels described: Yes, Biometric Security

Customer Service & Support

Site Searchable Enabled: No

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) and other “Self-Help” available: Yes

How Do You Request Assistance: Online Form

Live Support Chat Available: Unknown

E-Mail Support: Yes

Remote Control Support: Unknown

Telephone Based Support: Unknown

Customer Feedback E-mail or Form Available: Yes

Better Business Bureau Record Summary: No known matches as of May 28 2009