Like the competitors, IDrive offers personal and business plans for syncing to their servers. With continuous backup, every 10 minutes, modifications are uploaded over 128-bit SSL for security. In addition (for data security), files are stored using 256-bit AES encryption with a user-specified key that is never retained by IDrive’s storage servers. For larger files, or if you choose to disable the automated “Continuous Data Backup” feature, you can set schedules and no data on the server will be changed until you run a synchronization.

IDrive transmits files securely AND stores them safely.

The desktop app also makes it easy to restore old versions of files — up to 30 revisions are kept, and all versions except the newest don’t count towards the storage limit. (Isn’t that cool?)

Automatically keep track of old revisions of files so you can "go back in time" before a disastrous edit or deletion.

The basic free plan includes 2 GB of storage, while the the personal plan includes 150 GB for $4.95/month, or $49.50/year on a yearly plan (essentially two months free).

IDrive is available for PC and Mac, and there are even apps to backup and synchronize contacts with BlackBerry, Android and iPhone devices.

One of their advanced features that I find very enticing is the ability to backup WordPress sites via a plugin:

The WordPress backup feature will keep copies of the site’s database and content files, extremely useful in the case of a server crash or hack. Note: it looks like the WordPress backup feature is free and does not require a paid membership.

If you’re looking for online backup, it looks like IDrive offers it all.

Disclosure: IDrive sponsored this post. However, all opinions are my own.

VIPRE claims to be “high-performance security software” that performs better than traditional suites like Norton Antivirus. That much is very believable; after all, we all know how clunky and laggy the established ‘leaders’ in antivirus are. But my personal antivirus favourite is ESET NOD32 — and I’ve always gotten the impression that it’s fast — so I was really surprised that internal testing showed VIPRE to be even faster and more resource-efficient than NOD32.

VIPRE: Scan in Progress

At this point I wanted to see what some credible sources had to say. CNET UK had essentially the same reaction that I had when first presented with this product: “never heard of it.” But after their own use, they had this to say: “we’re pretty impressed and will continue to use it — particularly on netbooks, which don’t have much power to spare.”

Credible sources that give software positive reviews always influence me. That’s why I think (and this personal opinion isn’t influenced by the sponsorship of this post) you should try Sunbelt’s new Antivirus Software, especially if you don’t have antivirus software already. Install the 15-day trial and decide for yourself whether it’s worth using. (I would have done the same myself if I had another PC to use for testing.)

Sponsored by Sunbelt Software

More after the jump.

The one fortunate thing is that NetWare Administrator (the program itself) isn’t that insecure. Non-administrators can’t modify certain details, like password policies. Nor can someone modify another person’s password. However, the main screen (user information) isn’t protected in the same way, and the system essentially serves as a list of the 1750+ students’ first and last names, in addition to the teachers and staff.

I hope this is corrected soon.