Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need a full featured backup program or will simple file and folder backup work for me?
- Does backup protect me from ransomware?
- Do I have to get the Microsoft Office Suite with a Microsoft Office 365 subscription, or can I get just the Email service?
- Sensitive documents may be exchanged by encrypted Email, but that method can be cumbersome, especially if I have many documents. Is there an easy way to share an entire folder, or hierarchy of folders, securely with a person or entity outside of my organization?
- What is Exchange Server?
- Can I share calendars in Exchange?
Answer 1:
It depends on what you’re trying to protect. Simple file/folder backup will protect your critical data, but not your computer. This actually means your time and money. A computer can be replaced and programs can be reinstalled, personal configurations can be reconstructed, but all this requires time (which usually means money). So unless the computing environment is very simple, we usually recommend something in addition to file/folder backup.
Answer 2:
Backup to the Cloud offers very good protection against ransomware. Typically on site backups are vulnerable because a rensomware attack can travel through a network and extend to USB hard drives used for backup. At least for now, ransomware perpetrators have not figured out how to spread to a cloud service.
Answer 3:
The Microsoft Office 365 offering can be purchased three ways. The lowest cost option (about $5 per month) provides just the Exchange Email service (and some back end collaboration tools). Alternatively, a subscription may include just the Office 365 Suite of programs and no Email service (about $8.50 per month). Or the subscription may include both Email and Office programs (about $12.50 per month).
Answer 4:
We have a file server in the office and need to provide access to remote users, but don’t want the additional risk of opening it up to serve the Internet. Is there an inexpensive and easy to implement solution? Yes, folders on the server can be securely synchronized to our Cloud server, which can then share them out to your remote users.
The only connection to your server would be our server, and your users would reach the data through a secure Internet connection.
Answer 5:
Exchange Server is a mail and office productivity system from Microsoft that has been around for over 20 years. It undergoes regular enhancements and improvements and is rivaled only by Google’s business suite offering. It is most effectively used with Microsoft Outlook (installed or browser version).
Answer 6:
Yes Exchange has excellent calendaring features. Share with colleagues and view calendars side by side or overlay.