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BullGuard BackUp
Price: £19.99 inc VAT for one year

Features
Performance
Ease of use
Value for money
Overall

Reviewed By: Andy Shaw

This review updated: 15/02/2007
Featured in magazine:
Issue 155
Manufacturer Contacts:
Supplier: BullGuard
Web Address: www.bullguard.com


How often do you back up your data? It's likely that the answer is 'not often enough' – hardly surprising as backing up is boring, and computer catastrophes don't happen half as much as they used to. However, computers and hard disks all die eventually, and just because it hasn't happened to you recently, doesn't mean that it never will. This software from BullGuard comes bundled with its Internet Security suite, but is also available in this standalone format for those who already have their security needs covered.

Features
The unique thing about this back-up software is that it comes with 3GB of online storage space. Although this isn't going to hold your entire music and photo collection, it's big enough to cover the really important things that you absolutely don't want to lose. Storing stuff online is a superb way to back up too, because not only are you protected against computer crashes, you'll also still have access to your data even if your house burns down. The software can run regular back-ups automatically (as long as your computer is on), so you don't have to think about them, and will also use CDs, DVDs, or local and network disks if you prefer. There's email backup too, though it's limited to Outlook and Outlook Express users.

Performance
The back-up servers are located in an earthquake-free zone, 25m above sea level, and are replicated at another location 300km away. File transfers use 128bit encryption so it should be safe in transit too. You can log in to your back-up from any internet-connected PC that uses Internet Explorer 5.5 or better – Firefox is not supported – which is a truly useful feature and should ensure that you're never in a situation where you can't access your files. The speed of online back-ups will be controlled by your broadband connection, and remember that your upload speeds are not going to be as fast as your downloads. If you're thinking of backing up even a fraction of the available 3GB you're going to want to put aside plenty of time to do it.

Ease of use
When it comes to the crunch, your decision to seriously partake in a back-up regime is probably down to whether or not it's easy to use. On a basic level, this software can be set up to carry out sensible functions like backing up your current work on a nightly basis without you even thinking about it. At the same time, it's also configurable without being over-complicated, making it a handy addition to your security armoury.

Value for money
This standalone version of the software is available for £20 for a year of service and if you need more space you can buy it online. In terms of securing yourself 3GB of space online, this is actually rather expensive – if it's just space you want, services like X-Drive (www.xdrive.com) offer it for free. However, it's the software and service that add value to this package. Backing up is seamless, regardless of whether you're using the online service or local disks. If you're unsure about anything, BullGuard also offers 24/7 support via an online chat service which you can access through the website – we found a polite, helpful operator on hand within seconds of requesting help.

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