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Select files for Incremental or Full backup based on user's configurations.

The software is capable of doing two types of backups. Which files will be backed-up depends on the selections you make during configuration and which type of backup event is taking place. Either backup type can be started automatically on a schedule or manually.

• A Full Backup will include all files that match your configuration settings regardless of if they have changed recently or not. Recommended that you do this initially and once every 6 months.
• An Incremental Backup will only include files that match your configuration settings and have changed or been added since the last backup event.

Compress selected files into archive files.

The software includes built-in compression to reduce the amount of data which needs to be transmitted to the data center. Different data types compress better than others. The compression will reduce text and spreadsheet documents by as much as 80% and even database files by up to 60% in some cases. Typically, graphics files do not compress much and already compressed files will not compress any further.

Encrypt the compressed files.

Once files are compressed into archives, each archive file is encrypted. The software includes the following Encryption types :

• DES (8.2 compatable)
• DES (8.3 standard)
• TDES (triple DES)
• Blowfish (variable key)
• AES (128 bit)
• AES (192 bit)
• AES (256 bit - most secure, but very slow)
• No encryption

You MUST NOT LOSE the "Key".

• The files can only be restored when given the correct "Encryption Key".  
• We cannot help you if it is lost, there is no back-door into the files.
• When registering the account, you must make a back up disk of the recovery key and store it in a safe place such as a bank deposit box or somewhere else safe and off-site.
• We do not have a copy of the "Key"!!  Some users change "Keys" from time to time as an added security measure. This is fine. The software allows you to change as often as you like, be sure to do a backup before a restore when you change your key so the databases may synch.
• It is important that you always keep track of the latest "Key". Without the most recent key, you will not be able to recover any data.

encryption
Last modified: Wednesday, October 31, 2001

The translation of data into a secret code. Encryption is the most effective way to achieve data security. To read an encrypted file, you must have access to a secret key or password that enables you to decrypt it. Unencrypted data is called plain text ; encrypted data is referred to as cipher text.

Catalog the backup set.

Once files are encrypted, the catalog of files is updated, compressed and encrypted itself. The catalog information includes each individual file's details including it's original location, which archive file it is stored in, and more. This information is imperative in order to recover the file later.

Connect to the My Data Vault.ca server and transfer archive files and catalog.

At this point your backup is ready for transport. Users will connect via the Internet. The software will use whatever Internet connection you have and have specified during configuration.

If you have a fixed connection, the software will recognize the connection and use it. If you have a dial-up connection, the software will check to see if you are already connected to the Internet, and if not make the dial-up connection you specified. Your connection speed will determine how long it takes to transfer your data. This is only an issue if you have a very large data volume and a slow connection using a telephone line. Obviously this would tie up the line for the duration of the backup.

Once your machine is connected to the Internet, the software contacts the data server and performs a series of identification checks. When the server is satisfied that the machine is a My Data Vault.ca client and the account is in good standing, your data is transmitted to the server.

When the transfer is complete the software disconnects from the server. If your system was not already connected to the Internet when the backup event started, it will automatically close the dial-up connection.

Log backup event activity.

Once the transfer is complete, the software checks to see that all the files were successfully sent and builds a log of the session. If there was an interruption during the connection, any files that didn't get transferred are held until the next backup connection and all the others are deleted.

The logs include a detailed step-by-step description of each backup event. They can be checked at any time from within the software so you can easily track how much time and space your backup is taking.

Wait for next backup event.

After writing the log, the software looks for the next scheduled event and unloads all but the launcher until that time. When the backup is not actually in the process of working the software uses very little resources.. just a timer waiting to start the process again.