I'm probably the only guy in the world who does not store things on the cloud. I figure if the NSA's computers can get hacked, what can the security be like on the cloud?
boathealer, do you have any anxiety over storing important docs on the cloud? Would you put your banking or investment info on there?
Just curious.
Cloud sounds so nebulous. Long ago I backed up to other computers of some sort. That's all the cloud is, just other servers at remote locations. The difference is they are accessible from the internet. Clearly it's possible for someone to access the data there, although I feel those I use are secure. Many other, more efficient ways to access large amounts of information. I do worry about it but then think of what can be used and how.
Bank statements, investment records, I'd hate seeing in other hands, but without passwords and access they're of very limited use to criminals. Now, I monitor all accounts diligently. I have alerts set of every type. I check the accounts quite regularly.
Hackers are looking for quick and easy. Cloud storage of individual records isn't that. They'd have to wade through so much to get anything of potential use. That's why they want bank records from the banks, or credit agency files, or files from card processors or credit providers. They want files including hundreds of thousands of accounts that is easy for them to resell or to use.
Let's look at something like a bank statement. How would I use that to steal? Well, really the only way is to write checks or do e-checks. Easy enough as anyone can print checks or could enter e-checks. However, a lot of work for a little. Typically more the domain of small time petty thieves who somehow see a check you've written.
The real money in hacking is gathering huge amounts of account information and reselling it. Your files being backed up on the cloud does not fit that pattern.
