Databarracks launches free data back up service

Encrypted storage over the Internet means you can store files on a friend’s PC

Remote backup specialist Databarracks has released a free online service for home users, called Buddybackup, that will store your files and folders on a friend’s PC.

The service is aimed at anyone that wants to protect their important documents, music or photos, but doesn’t want to buy additional hardware or pay for a commercial service.

Buddybackup encrypts files and then backs them up over the Internet to a nominated machine, storing the data on its hard drive. As both parties have to agree to become ‘buddies', they can similarly store their data on your PC or laptop.

Subscribers can keep multiple copies of data securely and remotely on a Windows XP machine.

It uses 128bit encryption, so the data, which is compressed before being sent over the Internet, can be accessed only by that person – the recipient whose machine is used to store the data cannot view it.

At the other end, the person storing the data can choose where it is kept on their hard drive when they first sign up for the service.

Data is automatically backed up, so if changes are made to a document, it is then saved on the buddy PC as well. Users can set the types of files that are backed up, or tell the software to ignore particular folders.

It also includes an instant messaging function, so you can hold text conversations with any friend who is also using the service as your buddy.

Peter Groucutt, managing director of Databarracks, said the company – which also runs commercial services for businesses – wanted to offer a free online back up service for home users, but did not want to incur costs to its business.

It hit upon a grid style service, where other machines are used for back up, but realised that this would need to be a service that could be trusted by its users, hence the 128bit encryption.

‘The problem is that if you have a collection of people who are willing to give storage space then you don’t know who is backing up to your PC. But with friends you trust each other.’

The free version is restricted though to just 5GB of storage, which by today’s standards is small, unless used for documents or a limited number of photos or music files. Additionally, the free version only allows up to three ‘buddies’ whose machines can store your data.

A paid-for version is also available for £10, which removes both these restrictions, offering unlimited storage across any number of buddy machines.