Cloud Computing

Cloud computing (noun),  is the practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer.

Advantages of cloud computing:

1- Access from multiple devices
2- no need for software installation and setup
3- no more software and hardware maintenance overhead
4- no need for backing-up your data
5- faster connection


Types of cloud services:

1- Storage only cloud services (ex. google drive, icloud, and dropbox)

- allows you to save your data on the cloud
- they backup your data and take measures to secure it
- No need for USB sticks anymore


2- SAAS (Software as a service) ex. google docs

3- PAAS (Platfrm as a service) ex. ipage, and engine yard




Special Cloud Services:

*Google Cloud Print:    It allows you to print from any device and from any location.
                   
*Cloud Antivirus: It submits your files to the cloud to be scanned for viruses, it is faster and lighter  
                               than traditional antivirus.



Google Cloud Security Advantages:

- Encrypted data
- no virus infected files allowed
- less software installations, less viruses



Google Cloud Security Disadvantages:

- Google administrators can view your data
- Google administrators can delete your data
- Security depends on keeping your password a secret


Note: Boxcryptor is a tool that secures all your files in the cloud; ex. DigitalSafe (swiss)