Backing up data to the cloud is a common practice today. It’s a comforting idea that, even if the worst should happen to your own computer, all of your important files exist in a highly secure server under the protection of a huge corporation somewhere. However, it’s a good idea to not rely too strongly on a cloud server. After all, should the cloud fail you, there’s nothing that eBits in Seattle could do to recover your data.
Users of Dropbox learned this lesson recently when the popular cloud storage service deleted many of their files. This came about as the result of a bug tied to the service’s Selective Sync feature, which served to let users save space by downloading only select folders to local storage. The bug has reportedly affected only a small number of users, those being users operating out-of-date versions of the software. These users have been given a year of free Dropbox Pro for their troubles.
In an effort to retain the confidence of users, Dropbox has announced that it has patched the desktop client and discontinued the problematic older versions. It is also introducing new test procedures to avoid similar problems in the future.
Such stories are few and far between, but they do show that there are cracks in the cloud that should be planned for. It is therefore advisable to use the cloud largely for backup, and not as a primary storage for your important data.