Are cloud-dwellers idiots?

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Ultimate Geek

#1205411 29-Dec-2014 12:00

Cloud is about a lot more than storing data. I love that my Adobe Creative Cloud settings are synced over multiple computers anywhere in the world with an Internet connection. This includes things like special fonts (usually from Adobe's Typekit) that can otherwise be a PITA when working on more than one system. It's surprising how quickly you get used to features like that.

I don't currently use a Cloud service for data back up because I only recently had a connection, and I have too much data to make it feasible. I will probably look at that now though.

Trevor Dennis
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old3eyes

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#1205412 29-Dec-2014 12:02

I use the outlook cloud for my email these days but all other data is on my local drives and then they are bucked up to Google drive..

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roobarb

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#1205427 29-Dec-2014 12:09

markl: If a game required an update on day 1 then there are bigger problems with the industry than a bit of temporary downtime for the online services,

I have found that almost every PS3 game I've ever bought on disk has required an update on day one, including most games bought on first day of release. PS2 never had such an issues because there was no such concept on a machine with no hard-drive.

Back on topic, there is no difference between using, say, AWS and using a local service provider other than scale. Most businesses outsource, IT is easily commoditised these days.

Interesting to see if the US gets the MS hosted emails from Ireland, if they do, the US might decide that running windows on your home PC in NZ gives them jurisdiction.

richms

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#1205439 29-Dec-2014 12:22

The problem is that for quite some time the PSN wasnt down. Things would find there was an update and then not be able to get it. Consoles would start to get their OS updates, then stop. Wont do anything till the updates are all downloaded and completed.

When the thing tells you it is updating and to not turn it off because you might ruin it, and it is just sitting there, people are not likly to turn off their new console and try again and choose not to update it the second time because of the warning about ruining it.

Richard rich.ms

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#1205667 29-Dec-2014 18:25

My husband is pushing me to use Cloud Storage more but honestly I much rather use a locally hosted file server rather than rely on someone else to keep my files available to me.

richms

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#1205697 29-Dec-2014 19:30

And when your local storage gets stolen or the place burns down?

Richard rich.ms

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#1205698 29-Dec-2014 19:32

I think everyone is over thinking.

Do what you prefer and whatever suits.

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old3eyes

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#1205721 29-Dec-2014 19:54

richms: And when your local storage gets stolen or the place burns down?

That's why I use the cloud only for backup not the primary storage system

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Old3eyes

timmmay

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#1205744 29-Dec-2014 21:44

I can say with some certainty that it's exceptionally unlikely that Amazon Aws s3 or glacier will ever lose or corrupt a file. Checksums on upload, multiple data centers, extreme best practice, they do it well. They also provide all the tools to secure things very well. It'd be moderately easy for someone to set up wrong though, it can be complicated, though basic setup is easy.

MadEngineer

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#1205753 29-Dec-2014 21:54

richms: And when your local storage gets stolen or the place burns down?

this to me in this question is the answer. you could buy yourself and a friend a pair of network storage drives that back up to each other in physically different locations (taking the view that if some event destroyed both you have bigger issues to worry about than your family photos) but then you could already call this a cloud or at least a personal cloud especially when such NAS devices are in fact cloud controlled ...

also cloud computing suits specific users. pure cloud (possibly stored off-shore) is no good for those that are storing personal data that require local laws to keep it safe where laws outside the country are not suitable.

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

richms

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#1205764 29-Dec-2014 21:58

The problem is getting those 2 Nas units mirroring each other over the Internet securely.

How are you going to do that? How is the average person supposed to do that? If you are using a 3rd party as a go between, there is your cloud. If not then how do you handle the generation and maintenance of any of the vpn confirm that go between the devices?

Richard rich.ms

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#1205776 29-Dec-2014 22:21

I thought the OP asked a really valid question. You are handing over your data to a third party and that always carries risks, but like many have pointed out, there are many benefits to 'cloud' computing which IMO clearly outweigh the negatives. It's certainly not a 'fad'; it will continue to grow as innovation creates smaller chips and bigger data centres. You need to be responsible for managing your data; use multiple backups. I use cloud, HDD and CD for our important stuff, a fairly simple approach but better than relying on just one option.

MadEngineer

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#1205778 29-Dec-2014 22:26

richms: The problem is getting those 2 Nas units mirroring each other over the Internet securely.

How are you going to do that? How is the average person supposed to do that? If you are using a 3rd party as a go between, there is your cloud. If not then how do you handle the generation and maintenance of any of the vpn confirm that go between the devices?

There's a term used when talking about modern VPN connections. It's described as A Very Large Amount Of Data, which is the amount of data required to be snooped before the cryptography can be hacked. PPTP was something in the realm of a GB (amongst other issues) whereas A Very Large Amount Of Data is something physically impossible to witness.

There may be other vulnerabilities that we haven't seen yet but you weigh up the risk with the chances of it happening. That chance might be 0.0001% in the next 10 years multiplied by a risk factor of zero because the data is not valuable to anyone.

Unless you're an ISIS member, do you really think someone that owns a machine powerful enough to crack the encryption is going to bother with your junk?

https://www.bestvpn.com/blog/4147/pptp-vs-l2tp-vs-openvpn-vs-sstp-vs-ikev2/

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

Geektastic

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#1205783 29-Dec-2014 22:34

How many people here access their banking data in what is effectively a cloud?

richms

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#1205790 29-Dec-2014 22:43

That's all fine till there is an issue found with whatever vpn or tls implementation is externally facing on the devices is found. Then you are reliant on proper disclosure, knowing about it in time before it is exploited en mass by people for profit. I bet all those people who had their Nas taken over and encrypted thought that they were safe because encryption.

I would rather my full time job was something fun and leave being advised of and fixing holes in products to someone else.

Richard rich.ms

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