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Secure online data backup frequently asked questions
Please take a look at the question areas below. You will find that they cover the important aspects of getting started and how your backup account works. If you feel that there is anything else you would like to know, please contact us.
What software do I require
You will need the Desktop and Laptop (DL) software installed on your laptop or PC which can be downloaded by clicking here (12MB). This software will support both the backup and the recovery of your information.
What hardware do I require?
You will need a desktop or a laptop PC that is running either Windows 98, NT, ME, 2000or XP and you will need internet connectivity.
About my secure online backup account
How safe is my data?
Bunker Backup uses the strongest levels of electronic protection for your data. Technically, SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) secures your data whilst it is being transferred to and from the backup server. The SSL uses 1024 bit RSA key exchange, 128 bit RC5 stream cypher and SHA-1 integrity checking. 448-bit Blowfish encryption secures your data while it resides on the backup server.
You set the encryption key used for the data storage to which we have no access. In addition, a username and password guards access to your account on our servers.
What is my encryption key?
Bunker Backup uses electronic encryption to safeguard your data when it is stored at the data centre. This encryption requires a unique string of characters that you supply when you create your backup account. The unique string can be considered as your "pass-phrase" to access your data. This string of characters is then used as the key for the encryption algorithm.
Technically, the software at the data centre uses 448-bit Blowfish encryption in CBC mode.
How much data can I back up?
Your trial account allows up to 250 MB of data to be protected. When you sign-up for your full account, you can choose the size of account that you require.
How do I decide what size of backup account I will need?
When you used the trial software, you selected certain files to backup and this is the size of your current backup set. You can check this size by opening the backup software and clicking on the Size button. If you are already protecting all the files you need to protect right now, just add a little to give yourself some room for expansion and that is the size of backup account that you require. If you have more files that you wish to protect, select those files and then click on the Size button. This will not do a backup but will simply tell you the size of the files you have selected. Again, add a little to give yourself some room for expansion and that is the size of backup account that you require. If your initial backup size is greater than you would like to transfer at one time, you have two options:
You can reduce your selection to a size you are happy with and use that as your initial backup. You can add further files later so that these are added to your total backup set. Only new files and those parts of existing files that have changed are transferred during each backup.
or
You can limit the amount of data that is sent at any one time. Select "Settings" on the menu bar, then "Advanced" and "Options". Select the "Limit each backup to" option and set the size you want as your limit. Once modified, it may take several backups before all your files will be transferred.
What happens if I exceed my backup account limit?
You can upgrade your account in order to protect a larger amount of data.
How far back can I retrieve files?
All backups are retained on the server for both the current month and the month immediately preceding the current month. This means that a user can always retrieve a specific version of a document or file that was backed up either during the current month or during the preceding month. At the first backup of a new month, the backup sets for 2 months ago are consolidated and retained for a further month.
How my secure online backup works
How do I backup my data?
You use the backup and recovery software. Simply select the files and/or folders you wish to backup by placing a tick in the box adjacent to the file/folder name. When you are ready click Backup from the menu bar and the Bunker Backup software will connect to the server and transfer your files.
How often can I backup my data
You can backup your data as often as you like. You can initiate a backup yourself, on-demand, at any time that you are using your PC. Automatic backups can be scheduled for a time of your choice.
How can I start my backups when my connection to the internet is slow?
If your initial backup is so large that it would take too long to transfer over your internet connection, then you should transfer your initial set of files in stages. If you wish to check the size of your backup, click on the Size button in the backup and recovery window. If the initial backup size is greater than you would like to transfer at one time, then you have two choices:
You can either reduce your selection to a size you are happy with and use that as your initial backup. You can add further files later so that these are added to your total backup set. Only new files and those parts of existing files that have changed are transferred during each backup.
You can also set an option in the backup and recovery software to limit the amount of data transferred during each backup. Any data not backed up will be transferred in a subsequent backup. This is one of the Advanced Options under the Settings menu item.
Is my data compressed?
Yes, your data is first compressed before it is transferred to the server. When you need to restore your data from the server, the data is uncompressed on your PC. This keeps transfer times to a minimum.
What is Patch Backup?
This is a way to further reduce the amount of data transferred to the backup server. When you backup a file for the first time, the file is compressed and then uploaded. Let's say the file is 10MB in it's compressed state and it takes 10 minutes to upload 10MB of data, therefore, it will take 10 minutes to upload the file. This is 'real time'.
If any changes are made to that same file and the new version of the file is selected for backup again, only the changes will be transferred to the server. The software does a detailed comparison to determine the changes made to the file at the character or binary level. If you edit a document to change a comma into a full-stop, only the full-stop is backed-up. This makes the backup very much faster compared to a full backup or even delta-blocking.
What do the colours mean when I do selections for backup?
On the Backup and Recovery window, click on Help (on the menu bar) then Icon Legend. This shows all the colours that can be applied to folders and their meanings.
Can I exclude files from my backup?
Yes. When you select files for backup, you can also mark files to be excluded.
What type of files can I backup?
Any type files can be backed up provided you have enough space available within your backup account.
Can I browse the internet while backing up my data?
Yes, the Bunker Backup software can operate in the background of your system so you can run other applications at the same time. Note that if an application is using a file that you have selected for backup, then the backup software may skip that file. This is listed in the backup log.
Can I read my mail while backing up my data?
Yes, the Bunker Backup software can operate in the background of your system so you can run other applications at the same time. Note that if you have selected your email file(s) for backup, then the backup software may skip those files. This is listed in the backup log.
Recovery of secure online backups
What happens if my PC crashes? How do I restore my data?
First, you re-build your PC disk with the system and application software that you use. Then, simply re-install the backup and recovery software and use this software to re-connect to your backup account. Then you can select the backed up data that you wish to restore.
What happens if my equipment is stolen?
When you first install your Bunker Backup software, it will prompt you for an encryption key. This encryption key should be stored in a safe place. In the event of you losing your equipment, simply re-install the software on another computer or access via the online web interface. Enter your username, password and the encryption key and you will have access to your backed up data.
Can I access my files from another computer?
Yes, log onto the Bunker Backup web interface. You will be prompted to enter your username, password and encryption key to gain access to your data. You can thendownload a file or set of files to your computer.
