Understanding the Cloud

What is the cloud?

You may have heard people using terms like the cloud, cloud computing, or cloud storage. But what exactly is the cloud?

Simply put, the cloud is the Internet—more specifically, it's all of the things you can access remotely over the Internet. When something is in the cloud, it means it's stored on Internet servers instead of your computer's hard drive.

Watch the video below to learn more about the cloud.

Why use the cloud?

Some of the main reasons to use the cloud are convenience and reliability. For example, if you've ever used a web-based email service, such as Gmail or Yahoo! Mail, you've already used the cloud. All of the emails in a web-based service are stored on servers rather than on your computer's hard drive. This means you can access your email from any computer with an Internet connection. It also means you'll be able to recover your emails if something happens to your computer.

Let's look at some of the most common reasons to use the cloud.

• File storage: You can store all types of information in the cloud, including files and email. This means you can access these things from any computer or mobile device with an Internet connection, not just your home computer. Dropbox and Google Drive are some of the most popular cloud-based storage services.

• File sharing: The cloud makes it easy to share files with several people at the same time. For example, you could upload several photos to a cloud-based photo service like Flickr or iCloud Photos, then quickly share them with friends and family.

• Backing up data: You can also use the cloud to protect your files. There are apps such as Carbonite that automatically back up your data to the cloud. This way, if your computer ever is lost, stolen, or damaged, you'll still be able to recover these files from the cloud.

What is a web app?

Previously, we talked about how desktop applications allow you to perform tasks on your computer. But there are also web applications—or web apps—that run in the cloud and do not need to be installed on your computer. Many of the most popular sites on the Internet are actually web apps. You may have even used a web app without realizing it!

Let's take a look at some popular web apps:

• Facebook: Facebook lets you create an online profile and interact with your friends. Profiles and conversations can be updated at any time, so Facebook uses web app technologies to keep the information up to date.

• Pixlr: Pixlr is an image editing application that runs in your web browser. Much like Adobe Photoshop, it includes many advanced features, like color correction and sharpening tools.

• Google Docs: Google Docs is an office suite that runs in your browser. Much like Microsoft Office, you can use it to create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. And because the files are stored in the cloud, it's easy to share them with others.

FAQs

Is my data safe in the cloud?

Generally, yes. Cloud providers use strong encryption and security measures. However, you should always use strong passwords and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) to protect your accounts from being hacked.

Do I need the Internet to use the cloud?

Yes. Since the "cloud" refers to servers accessed over the internet, you need a connection to upload, download, or edit live files. However, some services (like Google Drive) offer offline modes for temporary work.

Is cloud storage free?

Most providers (like Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox) offer a limited amount of free storage (e.g., 5GB or 15GB). If you need more space, you will usually have to pay a monthly subscription fee.

What happens if the cloud server goes down?

If the service goes down, you temporarily lose access to your files until it is back online. This is why it is smart to keep critical files backed up on a physical hard drive as well.

What is the difference between the cloud and the internet?

The Internet is the network that connects computers globally. The Cloud refers to specific servers on the internet that store data and run applications for you. You use the internet to access the cloud.