I have Dropbox so that means I have Cloud Backup right?
This is a common misconception. Storing your files in the Cloud with a cloud storage provider such as Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive etc is NOT a cloud backup. It’s simply storage and is not backed up (unless you have made...
FAQ · Cloud Storage vs Cloud Backup
No — Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive and similar services provide cloud storage, not cloud backup; storage simply holds a copy of files without protecting them against deletion, corruption or ransomware unless a separate backup arrangement has been added on top.
The distinction that matters
Cloud storage synchronises files so they are accessible from multiple devices, but if a file is deleted, overwritten or encrypted by ransomware, that change typically syncs across every connected device and version — the 'protection' is not designed to survive that. A genuine backup is an independent copy, taken on a schedule, that can be restored to a point before the damage occurred.
Cloud storage also does not provide an 'image' of your server or network — a full, restorable replica of the systems themselves — which is what a disaster-recovery backup provides.
What proper cloud backup adds on top of storage
- Independent, versioned copies retained over time, so a file can be restored from before it was corrupted or deleted, not just the latest synced version.
- Protection against ransomware that would otherwise encrypt and sync across a storage service.
- Full system imaging for servers, not just individual document files.
- A defined recovery process, tested regularly, rather than an assumption that files are 'safe because they're in the cloud'.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dropbox or OneDrive offer any version history at all?
Yes, most offer limited version history and short-term deleted-file recovery, but this is not equivalent to a dedicated backup with longer retention, full system imaging and ransomware-specific protection.
Can I add real backup on top of Dropbox or OneDrive?
Yes — a dedicated backup solution such as NeoVault can back up cloud storage locations as part of a wider backup strategy, closing the gap that storage alone leaves open.
How would I know if my files were actually protected?
Ask directly whether your current setup includes a genuine, independently scheduled backup with tested restores — if the honest answer is 'it's in Dropbox', it is storage, not backup.
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