In Information Technology, backup refers to making copies of data so that these additional copies may be used to restore the original after a data loss event. Local backup to external or optical drives is an excellent practice, but it can’t always protect your precious data. Fortunately, there are many online services that provide excellent backup services that are near-real time off-site backup. Below are 5 FREE online services that you can use to backup your data.

1. MozyHome Online Backup

Mozy offers reasonably priced unlimited online backup that’s highly configurable for both PC and MAC users. For personal and non-commercial usage, you can signup with MozyHome and get a 2GB FREE online backup storage for your data. If you would like to have unlimited storage capacity, it is just $4.95 per month.

How it works

1. Sign up for an account.
Create a MozyHome user account which will allow you to download MozyHome software. Its quick, easy and our step-by-step instructions will guide you through the process.

2. Download and install software.
MozyHome downloads in just seconds, and the installation is simple and fast.

3. Select files to be backed up.
Simply check the boxes next to the backup sets, or types of files you want to back up, and MozyHome does the rest. In addition to selecting files by backup sets, you also have the option of selecting specific files and directories.

Download MozyHome for PC or MAC.

2. IDrive

IDrive Online Backup Classic offers an intuitive interface, similar to Microsoft Windows Explorer, which makes it easy to select files/folders for remote backup and restore activities. For basic user, IDrive offers 2GB FREE online storage for both PC and MAC user.

The initial transfer for IDrive will be a full backup of all your data. This may take some time based on the total size of your backup data. Subsequent backups will be incremental in nature with only modified portions of the files being transferred.

One advantage of IDrive is that is does true archiving. Therefore, no data is deleted from your account until you manually delete or run sync to match your desktop data to your account. In another words, you full control of your backup data.

Download IDrive for PC or MAC.

3. XDrive

AOL’s Xdrive is an online backup service that allows you backup your data online. An Xdrive account provides you with 5GB of storage is available for FREE while a 500GB account costs $10 per month. Previously, you could access the storage space only via your Web browser or through the Xdrive Desktop utility, which assigns a drive letter to your virtual Xdrive in Windows Explorer. Besides Xdrive Desktop, you can choose to install XDrive Desktop Lite which runs in its own program window. It uses the Adobe AIR platform, which allows Web-based apps to run outside a browser. With Xdrive Desktop Lite application, it makes accessing the files and folders in your Xdrive online data-storage account even easier.

Download and install XDrive.

4. ADrive

ADrive’s Basic plan offers individual users FREE 50GB of online storage and backup for all file types including access to our basic service features. With the Basic plan you will have the essentials to store, backup, share, and edit your documents online. The Basic plan is intended for individual or personal use. For Business user, you can signup for Signature (50GB storage costs $6.95 per month) and Premium (100GB from $13.95 per month ) plans for more security, storage, and access.

For ADrive, all uploading is done via a Java interface that allows end user to upload maximum 2GB files easily. All uploaded files will be scanned by an anti virus scan engine before store at their online storage services.

ADrive online file storage services consider the best file sharing services which offers the largest file storage to meet the demands of data-intensive world. Meanwhile, a comprehensive security and high availability to end user to backup their files on anywhere and anytime in the world.

Sign up for the free ADrive Basic plan.

5. Boxstr

Boxstr is another online backup service that offers 5GB of free storage plus some significant bandwidth to share files. Files stored with Boxstr can be shared by posting them in social networking sites e.g. post music on your MySpace page or other social networking sites with the integrated MP3 player. Besides that you can use Boxstr as your online photo album where you can create a stunning photo gallery.

You have two ways to upload your file to Boxstr by using the web or desktop application.

Register and download Boxstr Desktop Application.

So which is your favorite online backup service?. Please share them with me in your comments.