Frequently Asked Questions about EZ Backup

How is EZ Backup different from other online storage and backup providers?

EZ Backup has many unique benefits - read about them on our comparison page.

Why do I need EZ Backup? Can I just use S3 directly?

Amazon's S3 service is an amazing storage platform with a very compelling price, but it's not a consumer service. Amazon doesn't provide any direct way to upload or download data from S3, so you'll need to use 3rd party software like EZ Backup. EZ Backup is designed to make it as easy as possible to use S3 by integrating it directly into your local file system like any other drive. The automatic backup feature also makes it easy to keep your important files securely backed up.

What is the maximum amount of data I can store?

There is no limit! We have many users with multiple terabytes of data.

Is there a monthly limit to the amount of data I can transfer?

No, you can upload and download as much as your bandwidth allows.

What is the maximum file size that can be stored with EZ Backup?

Amazon S3 limits individual files to 5GB in size. There is no limit to the total number or size of files stored on the service. Note that "Package" files on the Mac, such as Aperture vaults or iPhoto libraries are actually directories made up of many files. The 5GB limit does not apply to the total package size, which can be virtually unlimited.

How many files can I store in a folder?

There is no specific limit in EZ Backup or S3 on the number of files in a single folder. Some DAV clients may have limits to the number of files they will display in a single folder. The Windows Web Folder client has been tested with over 7000 files in a single folder without problems. There is no limit to the number of folders or sub-folders that can be created.

What countries do you support?

EZ Backup is available worldwide. EZ Backup supports both the US and European Amazon S3 endpoints.

Can I access my files from the web?

Yes, web access is available as part of the EZ Backup service.

Can I make my files publicly available?

EZ Backup supports management of "compatibility" buckets that can be used for public file hosting in conjunction with other Amazon S3 tools. We do not currently provide functionality for making your files public within EZ Backup.

Can I attach to an existing S3 bucket?

Yes, EZ Backup supports "compatibility" buckets that can be used with other S3 software. Note, however that some features such as instant file renames and modification time preservation are not available with compatibility buckets.

What kind of transfer rates can I expect?

Your upload and download rates will vary depending on your connection and proximity to an Amazon.com data center. Note that EZ Backup reports transfer rates in kilobits/sec.

Can I get notified when my backups run and if there were any issues?

Currently there isn't an email report feature, but you can easily view the backup log at any time allowing you to easily stay on top of your backups. The EZ Backup Icon in the system tray will flag red so you’re notified if errors occur.

Can I access the EZ Backup WebDAV server from another machine?

No, for security reasons you can only connect to the EZ Backup WebDAV server over the localhost interface.
You can, however, install and use EZ Backup with the same account settings on as many machines as you'd like, allowing you to easily share files between them.

How are my files encrypted with EZ Backup?

EZ Backup encrypts files that are stored on S3 prior to uploading them using 256-bit AES. AES is an industry (and government) standard and is one of the most well studied and most secure encryption algorithms available. EZ Backup uses a unique key for each file, and constructs the key using a HMAC that helps protect against certain attacks. The master key is based on a password you choose which is known only to you and not stored with EZ Backup or Amazon.

How can I tell when a new EZ Backup version is available?

EZ Backup has an update notification function that will alert you when a new version is available.

What happens to my files if EZ Backup goes away or company closes?

Because EZ Backup stores files directly on Amazon S3, you are in complete control of your data at all times. EZ Backup software will continue to function indefinitely without us. A persistent license is stored in the configuration file the first time you register the software. In the event we should decide to close our doors, you will be given a 30 day notice so you can save any data.  There are S3 utilities available to allow access to your data as well.

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Do you need Help installing or configuring so you know you're getting the right data backed up? When you order, simply check the box for "Remote Installation" and we'll call you to setup a time to pop in over the internet and take care of this for you.  It's Peace of Mind!

We would be glad to help you with any aspect of getting your system backed up and your data safe!; simply Email Us. We respond promptly. Be sure to visit our site often to see what's new.