The Rise of Cloud Computing and Cloud Storage
Cloud computing is like a delivery service on the internet. When you access files, databases, networks, or other resources online, the “cloud” delivers it to you. For example, when you search for an image in Google, it will return a number of photos in just a few seconds. This is because the photos delivered to you are stored in a cloud.
Another example is when you watch on Netflix. Reportedly, there are more than 221 million Netflix subscribers as of the last quarter of 2021. However, these subscribers do not have to download the entire movie to watch it. What Netflix does is that it loads the movie directly from the cloud and plays it on your device. Super convenient, right?
Cloud computing acts as a fast and reliable library that delivers whatever resources you want from the internet. The best part is, you will get the results in an instant and there is no need for downloads. Gone were the days when our device’s storage was a big issue. We can now enjoy resources without having to sacrifice our device’s storage and speed!
On a larger scale, cloud computing by places like Veeam Cloud connect can be a collection of data centers and networks. It can also be a file backup resource for huge companies. As we all know, the cloud is disaster-proof. With the rise of social media, cloud computing grew with it as well. Especially its cloud storage model.
You can notice how we post photos and videos online, but did you ever wonder how it stayed there? Where does Facebook or Instagram store our files after uploading? Where do they store our credentials and personal information after we save it on our accounts? The answer? It’s all stored in the cloud! These large companies might even have entire buildings solely for cloud storage! Amazing, isn’t it?
Types of Cloud Storage
Cloud storage helped us access any digital data uploaded for public use. It acts as our virtual hard drive without the risk of device malfunction. However versatile it may be, clouds are not created fair and equal. There are different types of cloud storage for the user’s different needs.
- Private Cloud
As the name suggests, a private cloud is owned by a private entity or company. These types of clouds act like internal storage and can only be accessed from the inside. It is also maintained and protected by the entity and its own firewalls.
Private clouds are the best option for companies that want full control of the data they are handling. However, the cost of maintenance can be hard to manage when using a private cloud for storage.
- Public Cloud
Public clouds can be accessed by anyone with permission. It only allows a few administrative controls and can be accessed by just using the internet. Typically, a public cloud is hosted by a different service provider that offers cloud servers. Hence, it does not need any maintenance from the user.
Google Drive is one popular example of a public cloud. You can share a file with anyone as long as they have your permission to do so. Public clouds are affordable, convenient, secure, and most importantly, reliable. They can also be upgraded to larger cloud storage if ever you run out of space.
- Hybrid Cloud
Hybrid Clouds allow the users to have a mix of both a private and public cloud in one. A hybrid cloud provides you with the security of a private cloud but with the customization of public clouds. This gives the user more control over their data.
- Community Cloud
A community cloud storage is a kind of private cloud. However, it only provides cloud storage for specific types of businesses or communities. This type of cloud storage follows the specific rules, guidelines, and requirements of the said community.
Cloud Storage and Free Proxy Servers
Proxy servers act as a link or middleman between the user and the internet. It allows the users to browse the internet more freely and securely. Proxies mask your IP address which minimizes your traces and hides your exact location. Ust like clouds, proxies have different types too. For starters, there are free proxies for web scraping, data gathering, or web crawling. But what difference can it make for cloud computing?
- Additional Security
The internet alone is not the safest place to store valuable data. It is prone to breaches and hackers. Thankfully, cloud storage providers encrypted their clouds with multiple firewalls and safety nets to avoid chaos. However, as developers add more security to clouds, hackers also put extra effort to break the firewall down. It would surely not hurt to have extra protection, right?
Proxies are also helpful in gathering data online and web scraping. As the proxy servers mask your identity online, they also hide you from hackers, phishers, and breachers. This makes your cloud credentials, passwords, and important data safe.
- Better User Experience
Proxy servers can enhance the experience of the user. Physical devices have their limitations. They are prone to hardware malfunction and physical damage. By using clouds, this will not be the case. As the clouds store data on the internet, all the processes will also be online. It can go to many different routes and perform a lot of different processes just for a user to get the information that they want.
However, by using proxy servers, the traffic does not need to go through as many routes. This makes it easier for the user to get to the information and reduces latency. Proxies also provide a smoother flow of internet traffic between servers.
- Minimal Cost and Maintenance
Because of cloud service providers, you can access your data and files online. This is also the case for proxy servers. There are proxy server providers which you can use to mask your identity as you access your data.
This means that compatibility will not be an issue, saving you quite a lot. On the other hand, hardware and maintenance will not cost you a dime. These service providers have it already covered for you.
The Verdict
There are a lot of reasons why you should use cloud storage. It is easy to maintain, affordable, secure, and accessible to all. Cloud storage has different types that cater to different needs.
Of course, that goes with proxy servers too. Using a proxy along with it is a great move for additional cybersecurity. But there are different types of it too. Make sure to choose the one that best suits you!
