How it Works

After installation, Carbonite scans the hard disk looking for files to back up. Carbonite automatically backs up all file types except executables (such as .exe and .dll), system files, temporary files and video files. However, any of the excluded file types can be manually added to the backup by right-clicking on the file and selecting “Back this up” from the Carbonite menu. Upon setup, Carbonite offers a wide array of options for customizing your backup, but 95% of Carbonite users prefer to stick with the default settings.

In the default settings, dots on files and folders show their backup status in a glance. A green dot on a file or folder means it is selected for backup and that the backup copy is up-to-date. A yellow dot means that the file or folder is selected for backup but awaiting backup because it is either new or has been modified since the last backup. A green dot with a hole in the center (a “green donut”) on a folder means that the folder’s backup is up-to-date, but there are some files in the folder which are not selected for backup. If a file or folder has no dot, it means it is not selected for backup.

Backup

Carbonite is designed to automatically back up most files in the Documents and Settings folder, which includes “My Documents” and “Desktop”. However, some users choose to manually select files for backup, or decide to back up files that are stored in other locations. Any file or folder can be added to the backup by simply right-clicking on the file or folder and selecting “Back this up” from the Carbonite menu. Once files and folders are selected for backup, they will be continually backed up in the background so that your backup is always up-to-date.

Restore

If anything happens to your computer, restoring lost files is easy. To restore a specific file or folder, simply open the Carbonite Backup Drive from your desktop. Files and folders are organized in the backup drive exactly as they are on your computer. Locate the specific file or folder, right-click and select “restore.” The file will be restored to its original location on your hard drive. You will also have the option of restoring the file to a new location, by selecting “Restore to…” or recovering a previous version of the file by selecting “Restore previous versions…”

If you need to restore everything in your backup to a new or repaired computer, go to carbonite.com and click the Restore tab to log in to your account and restore your files. The Carbonite Restore Wizard will help you restore all of your files to your new computer with just a few clicks.

Security

Carbonite is a leader in online backup, not only for its ease-of-use, but also for its excellent security precautions. Using the same technology as online banking and credit card purchases, Carbonite encrypts your files to protect your privacy. Files are encrypted before leaving your computer and sent to the Carbonite data centers over a secure connection. In the data centers, files are stored on RAID arrays, which are 36 million times more reliable than a single drive.

Carbonite Online Backup is the secure, simple and automatic way to back up your computer. Try Carbonite Online Backup FREE for 15 days — and never think about backup again.