A DIGITAL LIFE E-GUIDE Files in Flight: What You Should Know About Cloud Storage
What Is the Cloud?
Back then, all your files were stored on hardware. Party photos, spreadsheets, and school projects were all stored in hard drives or CDs. Today, you store your photos on Facebook, Instagram, or Picasa. Files are uploaded to Dropbox or Google Drive. You even use your email as storage by sending yourself emails with attachments! You know that your files are out there, but where? These files are in the cloud. The cloud is where you access services that help store, or run software applications anywhere in the world when needed. 1 Unlike downloadable desktop apps, cloud services can be used via web and mobile anytime, anywhere. 2 The cloud can scale down resources depending on what you need, which is cheaper than buying hardware. 3 This gives the illusion of infinite storage. Why Move to the Cloud? Imagine having infinite, secure storage for your backup data at a reasonable price. These are just some of the reasons why people are moving their data to the cloud. The cloud can also handle tasks that normally require hardware and downloadable software. Servers, for instance, are now hosted in the cloud. Companies like Google, host their applications inside the cloud. Google Drive, Vimeo, Flickr, Wordpress, and Widgetbox are just a few sample products users are fond of. 4 1 http://media.johnwiley.com.au/product_data/excerpt/90/04708879/0470887990-180.pdf 2 http://www.readwriteweb.com/cloud/2012/05/the-web-vs-the-cloud-which-metaphor-survives.php 3 http://www.enisa.europa.eu/activities/risk-management/files/deliverables/cloud-computing-risk-assessment 4 http://theinstitute.ieee.org/technology-focus/technology-topic/a-view-inside-the-cloud
The Cloud in Your Sky
The cloud can be used in different ways. FILE STORAGE AND SHARING Services like Dropbox, icloud, and Box give you free limited storage with an option to pay for more. These services allow identical files and folders to be synced in multiple devices. You can also share links to your files. MEDIA STORAGE AND PLAYBACK You don t have to always reprint photos, download MP3s, or hoard movies. Picasa, Spotify, Netflix, Soundcloud, and other services make media available on various devices through the web. SYSTEM BACKUP AND RESTORE Some operating systems provide cloud backup and restore services in case your device crashes or is stolen, or your data somehow gets deleted. BANKING AND FINANCE Personal finance services like Mint and PageOnce, make it easier for you to monitor expenses, pay bills, or view portfolios in different currencies. SOCIAL MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS You can also communicate and mingle through the cloud! Networking sites like Facebook and Twitter have apps you can use. Instant messaging (IM) and voice services like Google Voice and Skype also let you call and chat via the web instead of the usual phone services. NOTE-TAKING AND BOOKMARKING Copying links is old school with apps like Evernote and Instapaper that let you save and bookmark notes in a few clicks.
Why Soar in the Cloud?
HERE ARE SOME REASONS TO MOVE TO THE CLOUD: Data backed up in the cloud means less hardware for you. No need to update multiple copies anymore. It s easy to share your data in public, or even to a select few. There are dozens of free apps that you can upgrade for more features. Many apps are linked to each other. For instance, you can set up Tweets to appear on Facebook, too. Media downloads can come cheap when bought in-app or online. Your devices will use up less computing power as the cloud handles half the work. You save time and effort from manual work like creating expense graphs or paying bills. You pay less for billed services, like phone calls or professional fees. Like they say, there s an app for that!
Storms You Have to Brave
It s possible to lose your entire digital life in under an hour. This is a worst case scenario for many, but is only one of the many risks in taking to the cloud. THREAT CAMPAIGNS We predict that more threat campaigns will target cloud providers in different ways. Cybercriminals can easily hack accounts with weak or recycled passwords, or unencrypted data. FLAWS IN THE SYSTEM App flaws or bugs put data at risk as they open doors for cybercriminals to hack into. These flaws can start from the app interface themselves. ADDITIONAL COSTS You will be charged to use mobile data or apps. Malicious ones can even incur premium service charges to your next bill. ACCESS WOES Weak Internet connections, service downtime, and outages can slow down access to data or cloud-based software. PROVIDER DATA LEAKAGE Using cloud services gives control to your providers, which is a big problem when security is compromised. 5 Dropbox users were once spammed because of third-party sites linked to the service. 6 THE HUMAN FACTOR Malicious insiders or attackers will use social engineering scams against unknowing employees. DISTRIBUTED DENIAL OF SERVICE ATTACKS (DDoS) DDoS attacks toward cloudbased services make it difficult to access or control cloud apps. Even a person with minimal technical know-how can buy a kit to do this 5 http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/consumersecurity/apple-cloud-burst-how-hacker-wipedmats-life-20120806-23orv.html 6 http://gigaom.com/cloud/dropbox-yes-we-werehacked/
Finding the Silver Lining
Always update your apps. App developers address service bugs and fix flaws through updates. Use cloud-based services that automatically encrypt data you upload like Trend Micro SafeSync. Don t click links or open attachments from suspicious-looking emails. Same goes for IMs and private messages on social networking sites. Use mobile security programs like the Trend Micro Mobile Security to block malicious apps. Change simple passwords into phrases that are hard for others to remember. Don t recycle passwords or refer to popular media when creating new ones. Password managers like Trend Micro DirectPass allow you to use one master password for all your accounts. Back up you mobile data with services like Trend Micro Mobile Backup and Restore. This will come in handy when your device crashes or is stolen.
TREND MICRO Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), a global cloud security leader, creates a world safe for exchanging digital information with its Internet content security and threat management solutions for businesses and consumers. A pioneer in server security with over 20 years experience, we deliver top-ranked client, server and cloud-based security that fits our customers and partners needs, stops new threats faster, and protects data in physical, virtualized and cloud environments. Powered by the industry-leading Trend Micro Smart Protection Network cloud computing security infrastructure, our products and services stop threats where they emerge from the Internet. They are supported by 1,000+ threat intelligence experts around the globe. TRENDLABS SM TrendLabs is a multinational research, development, and support center with an extensive regional presence committed to 24 x 7 threat surveillance, attack prevention, and timely and seamless solutions delivery. With more than 1,000 threat experts and support engineers deployed round-the-clock in labs located around the globe, TrendLabs enables Trend Micro to continuously monitor the threat landscape across the globe; deliver real-time data to detect, to preempt, and to eliminate threats; research on and analyze technologies to combat new threats; respond in real time to targeted threats; and help customers worldwide minimize damage, reduce costs, and ensure business continuity. 2012 by Trend Micro, Incorporated. All rights reserved. Trend Micro and the Trend Micro t-ball logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Trend Micro, Incorporated. All other product or company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their owners.