Security firm Bitdefender has launched Bitdefender Safebox, a new cloud-based backup, sync and share solution. Safebox, which is currently available for Windows and Android, with an iOS version in the pipeline, offers users 2GB free online storage space, with the option to upgrade to 30GB and 60GB packages.
Like competing products, Safebox allows users to back up selected folders to the cloud where they’re encrypted for storage, synchronising with other devices and sharing with selected users.
Bitdefender bills Safebox as “the easiest and fastest way to share, sync and save files in the cloud”, and it’s true its user interface is very simple to use. Once installed, a small pop-up window allows users to select folders to back up, switch the sync function on or off for the selected computer and manage which files are shared with others.
Other functionality – including the ability to restore deleted and previous versions of a file, or to select a file for sharing with others – is handled in Windows Explorer itself, and appears in the context menus.
Content stored in a Safebox account can be synced to other devices simply by installing Safebox on a supported computer (Windows) or mobile device, or by accessing the user’s account through a secure web browser.
A basic 2GB free account is provided, but users can upgrade to 30GB or 60GB online storage for $49.95 or $89.95 per year respectively.
Bitdefender Safebox is late to the online backup party, and despite promising a simple user interface doesn’t offer anything really innovative. Those looking for an online backup, sync and sharing tool with a more generous free allowance should consider one of AVG LiveKive or SugarSync, both of which offer a free 5GB online account. Both also offer paid-for upgrades, with AVG offering an “unlimited” service for $80.
For those wishing to try out this new backup service, Bitdefender Safebox is a free download for Windows and Android users. You will need to sign up for a free account to use the 2GB service, which can subsequently be upgraded through the program itself.
This article originally appeared at softwarecrew.co.uk
