Backing up data is a very critical part of your day to day computer life. To keep your files secure and safe from data crashes you should regularly back up your data.

But how long can you sustain buying expensive backup devices and medias to keep your data safe. Backing up data is a costly affair if you have a lot of data to backup.

This is where online storage services come into the picture using which you can easily backup and access your data from anywhere because it is available online. Gmail Drive is still no where in sight and Microsoft folders ^[1] disappeared as quickly it appeared.

You can also use Gmail as a backup device ^[2] for storing your files, that’s around 3 GB of storage space and there is no limit to the number of emails you can create so 3GB multiplied by 10 accounts could get you upto 30GB of space. The only problem is that Gmail has a 10 GB 20 GB ^[3] attachment limit so you can upload more than that at a time.

Online storage services provide you with free space of around 1 GB and more. I recommend you use the online storage services for backups as most of these are free and provide you with free space to store you data. I had written a post around a year ago which highlighted few free online storage services ^[4].

Here is another round up of online storage services that are free to use and provide you with at least 1GB of space.

> 1 GB < 5 GB

Box.net ^[5]

Box.net is a online storage service which allows you to store documents, pictures and other important files online.

Storage Details

• Free Online storage space : 1 GB.
• File Size Limit: 10 MB.
• Upload / Download Limit: 10GB per month.
• Platforms Supported: All uses browsers to upload / download files.

Features

• Save documents from word to box.net account.
• Share photos.
• Create online galleries.
• Share your files easily.

Drive Headquartes ^[6]

Storage Details

• Free Online storage space : 1 GB.
• Upload / Download Limit: Unlimited
• Platforms Supported: All uses browsers to upload / download files. You can also backup files using FTP.

Features

• Save documents from word to box.net account.
• Share photos.
• Create online galleries.
• Share your files easily.
• Automatic and Incremental Backups
• FTP Backups.

Steekr ^[7]

Steekr is a secure online storage service that allows you to store view and distribute your files easily. You need to validate your email address before joining steekr.

Storage Details

• Free Online storage space : 1 GB.
• File Size Limit: NA.
• Upload / Download Limit: NA.
• Platforms Supported: All uses browsers to upload / download files, special client software available for Windows and Mac OS.

Features

• Collaborate and exchange multimedia files.
• Synchronize your files with Steekr Drive available for both windows xp and vista and Mac too.

egnyte ^[8]

egnyte is a web2.0 content sharing solution. Easily synchronize your desktop and you web account.

Storage Details

• Free Online storage space : 1 GB.
• File Size Limit: NA.
• Upload / Download Limit: NA.
• Platforms Supported: All uses browsers to upload / download files, special client software available for Windows and Mac OS.

Features

• Integrated Search.
• Continuous synchronization.
• Organization of your data.

DropBoks ^[9]

DropBoks is a no frills online storage service that allows you to store up to 1 GB online. No fancy stuff just storage.

Storage Details

• Free Online storage space : 1 GB.
• File Size Limit: 50 MB at a time.
• Upload / Download Limit: 50 MB at a time.
• Platforms Supported: All uses browsers to upload / download files.

Features

• Simple, easy to use, no frills, no ads nothing.

Mozy Online Backup ^[10]

Mozy gives you 2 GB of online storage space to store your files, providing automatic synchronization of your files which are encrypted before transfer.

Storage Details

• Free Online storage space : 2 GB.
• Upload / Download Limit: No Size limits.
• Platforms Supported: Windows Vista / XP / 2000, Mac OS X.

Features

• Automatic backup in the background.
• Encryption used for transferring files.
• Incremental Backups.
• Backup only blocks of changed data.
• Backs up any open/locked files.

>= 5 GB

eSnips ^[11]

eSnips is a social content sharing site now provides up to 5GB of free space when i written about it earlier the free space was only limited to 1GB

Storage Details

• Free Online storage space : 5 GB
• Upload / Download Limit: NA
• Platforms Supported: All uses browsers to upload / download files, special client software available for Windows and Mac OS

Features

• Upload Anything
• Promote your site
• Easily share your files

Orbitfiles ^[12]

Orbitfiles is another online storage service that has increased its storing capacity from 1GB to 6GB.

Storage Details

• Free Online storage space : 6 GB.
• Upload / Download Limit: NA.
• Platforms Supported: All uses browsers to upload / download files, special client software available for Windows and Mac OS.

Features

• Access files from any computer or cellphone or PDA.
• Automated updates with Hercules uploader.
• Allows you to edit your files.
• Sell your files in orbitfiles marketplace.

MediaMax ^[13]

Mediamax is a online storage service that dwarfs all the other free providers. It provides you with an ultimate 25 GB of online space and that too with a free account.

Storage Details

• Free Online storage space : 25 GB.
• Upload / Download Limit: 10 GB per month.
• Share Limit: 1 GB per file.
• Platforms Supported: All uses browsers to upload / download files, special client software available for Windows and Mac OS.

Features

• Upload files to Mediamax without creating a account.
• Access your files from any web browser.
• Use their software to backup and synchronize data.

Other Free online storage websites

Sharpcast photos

Unlike the other free online storage services, Sharpcast photos is only for storing photos it allows for free unlimited sharing

Features

• Free unlimited sharing.
• Push Synchronization.
• Mobile Experience.
• Easy Recovery and Migration.

Rapidshare.de ^[14] is another site that lets you upload and share the files. Another such site is Megaupload ^[15]. Both these sites have download limits and lots of pesky ads that crowd up the place.

Even then these are the most popular sites used to share files and used widely in forums.

Do you use any other online storage sites to store your data, do let me know through your comments.