SOS Online Backup provides more advanced security options than most other online backup services, as well as some unique features, such as the ability to back up to a local folder simultaneously and to truly archive your files. Even though its storage rates are high, a single license is good for multiple computers and an infinite number of mobile devices. Another issue we have with this otherwise excellent service is that its desktop and mobile applications could use a design refresh.
SOS is one of the most expensive internet backup services we’ve looked at. You only get 50GB of storage for $4.99 per month or $44.99 per year. Granted, that package includes up to five computers and an unlimited number of mobile devices. By paying $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year, you can increase the cap to 100GB. Plans start at $299.99 per month or $2,999.99 per year and go all the way up to 10TB. Interested users can join up for a 15-day free trial account that does not require a credit card.
In contrast, IDrive ($15.90 for the first year at IDrive)(Opens in a new window) ($69.50 per year) provides 2TB of space for an infinite number of computers. Backblaze charges $60 per year for unlimited storage, but a license only covers one computer. SOS does not provide free storage, unlike IDrive and Zoolz BigMind, which both provide 5GB free profiles.
SOS Online Backup is accessible for both Windows (Vista SP2 and later) and macOS. (10.8 and later). To cancel an account, call the SOS support team, who will create a formal ticket and send it to the billing team. You will receive an email confirming this request, but it is still a more indirect method than customers desire.
When it comes to backup protection, SOS provides a few choices. You can use standard password protection after entering your account email and password, and your encryption key is stored on SOS Online’s servers. There are also two ultra-secure options: Standard UltraSafe and UltraSafe Max. If you lose your password, neither of these methods will allow you to reset it. Furthermore, whereas the UltraSafe option encrypts your files with a random key, the UltraSafe Max option needs you to keep a local encryption key. You can move between account types later, but you must first delete any backup sets. According to SOS Online Backup, it encrypts locally before transmission with AES-256 encryption, then encrypts during transit with 256-bit SSL, and then encrypts again once at rest on an SOS server using the AES-256 standard.
Aside from rendering it impossible to recover your password, the UltraSafe Max option prevents you from using the web portal or mobile devices. You are the sole owner of the password for decrypting your backed-up files. Managing your key prevents the business from disclosing your data to law enforcement, even if required by a warrant. However, if you lose the key, even SOS employees will be unable to retrieve your data in an unencrypted state, so having a password manager recall it for you is probably a good idea. Choosing a standard is a good idea for everyone except the most privacy-conscious.
Speaking of passwords, SOS Online Backup does allow two-factor authentication, but you must first enable it. Essentially, you must fill out your user details in the website’s Manage section before submitting a request to a representative. Other services, such as Carbonite, Backblaze, and IDrive, make it much easier to activate this via a dedicated option in the settings section of their respective web interfaces.
SOS Online Backup is a product of Infrascale, a California-based business. According to Infrascale’s privacy policy, it gathers two types of information: account data and system metadata. SOS collects and uses this information to contact you, as well as to provide and enhance its services. Customers respect Infrascale’s policy of “never selling or renting Customer Data or Personal Information to anyone.” However, it reserves the right to share data with third parties to maintain or provide services or to cooperate with law enforcement “when required by a subpoena, court order, search warrant, [or] other legal process.” All of this is a routine procedure.
With the security choice made, SOS’s backup wizard begins. It automatically selects all documents, photos, music, and videos, but you can alter this afterward. At this point, SOS conveniently calculates the total space needed and the number of files selected. The following screen displays a file browser from which you can further customize the selection and apply data filters. You can also include network or external devices for backup purposes. There are no file size or type limitations on uploads, so the sky is the limit.
Following that, select a backup plan, which can range from hourly to monthly. You can direct SOS to simultaneously back up files to a local folder from the scheduling screen, as well as specify how long files are kept online after they are deleted or if they go unedited for some time on the local computer.
Unlike some of its competitors, SOS does not provide true continuous backup for the complete backup set. For critical folders, right-click and select Enable LiveProtect. When you do this, every time you make a change to the original, a new version of the file is immediately uploaded to online storage. Other programs, such as Carbonite and Backblaze, make this a lot easier. (continuous backup applies to all files in the backup set).
When the backup process begins, a new dialog appears, displaying its status and even which file it is presently processing. You can pause the procedure, but there is no estimate of how long it will take. If your ISP has data limits, advanced options allow you to throttle your data consumption by megabytes per day. It should be noted that SOS home users cannot store disk images, whereas IDrive and Acronis True Image do.
SOS Online Backup CANCEL GUIDES
Get together the following account information:
First Name
Last Name
Phone Number
Email Address
Username
Password
Billing Address
City
State/Province/Region
ZIP/Postal Code
Country
Reason for Cancellation
Last 4 Digits of Card
Date of Last Charge
Amount of Last Charge
Order Number
Phone (Live Agent)
Follow these steps:
Pick up your phone and call 855-432-0727
Tell the rep you need to cancel
So they can find your account, give the rep your information when asked for it
Just to be sure, ask for a refund
Ask the representative if you will be charged again
Keep the proof given to you for your records
E-Mail
Follow these steps:
Compose an email requesting to cancel your account
So they can find your account, give the rep your information when asked for it
Request that the agent emails you confirmation or gives you a verbal confirmation code
