Myths about the cloud: How secure is cloud storage really?

  by Kieran – Reading time: 3 min.


In this blog post...

✓ “A hard drive or USB drive is way safer than storage in the cloud.”
✓ “I don’t want my data stored somewhere out there in the world.”
✓ “If I upload something to the cloud, it’ll end up public on the internet.”
✓ “The cloud provider can probably see all my files anyway.”
✓ “I’m too old for this / using the cloud sounds way too complicated for me.”
✓ “If my internet goes down, all my data in the cloud disappears.”
✓ “A digital cloud is a huge power guzzler and bad for the environment!”
✓ “It's all just a money-making scheme.”

The cloud is a digital storage space for all your photos, files, and documents, and it powers a lot of the online services we use every day, from social networks to streaming apps. In this article, we’ll explain exactly what is behind the term “cloud.”

Even though most of us have used cloud systems without even realizing it, many people still feel unsure about storing personal data there. Myths like “it’ll end up on the internet” are still floating around. So today, we’re here to clear up the confusion and put those lingering doubts to rest.

“A hard drive or USB drive is way safer than storage in the cloud.”

It’s totally understandable that having a physical device, like a hard drive or flash drive, to store your data feels safer at first. But that’s exactly where the cloud shows its real strength. When you use storage in the cloud, your files are protected from all the everyday “disasters” that can strike at any moment: laptop crashes, spilled coffee, or a lost or stolen smartphone. And considering that, on average, people in the U.S. lose their phone once per year, it really doesn’t take much for cherished photos or important documents to disappear forever.

Not so with the mail.com Cloud. Thanks to geo-redundant cloud storage, your data is saved multiple times across different secure locations. Even if one server fails, your files stay safely stored elsewhere. That’s the powerful advantage of relying on the cloud instead of a single vulnerable device.

“I don’t want my data stored somewhere out there in the world.”

That’s why we can say that with mail.com Cloud storage, your data is stored and processed in secure, professionally managed U.S. data centers. All file handling takes place within this controlled infrastructure, designed to meet industry-standard security and privacy practices.

This means your data benefits from strong technical safeguards such as encryption, access controls, and secure server environments.

These standards apply specifically to mail.com Cloud storage, while other providers may operate under different setups or follow different regulations.

“If I upload something to the cloud, it’ll end up public on the internet.”

No, because the security of your data is our highest priority. Your files are always transmitted to us using SSL encryption to ensure they stay protected while in transit. In addition, our security measures are designed to prevent unauthorized access and reduce the risk of data leaks.

This means your files remain accessible only to you, unless you choose to share them with others.

“The cloud provider can probably see all my files anyway.”

The answer to this is a clear no. A key part of security in the cloud is that even the provider can’t view your files. So, as your provider, we cannot look at your stored files, and our servers use hard-disk encryption to ensure that they remain accessible only to you.

“I’m too old for this / using the cloud sounds way too complicated for me.”

Don’t worry! Once you take a closer look at mail.com Cloud Storage, you’ll see it’s much simpler than you think. Whether you access it through your mail.com account or use the mail.com app, everything is designed to be easy and intuitive.

And if you ever need help getting started, we walk you through all the basic cloud functions step by step.

Even better: our blog and the mail.com Help Center offer clear, detailed explanations whenever you need a little extra guidance.

“If my internet goes down, all my data in the cloud disappears.”

Not quite. The cloud does rely on an internet connection, which means you can’t upload or sync new files while you’re offline. However, if your connection drops in the middle of an upload, or your computer suddenly crashes, your files are still safe. Once you’re back online, the synchronization simply picks up right where it left off.

Plus, depending on the app you’re using, you can also make certain files available offline so you can access them anytime.

“A digital cloud is a huge power guzzler and bad for the environment!”

We can reassure you here: our data centers are designed to be secure and energy-efficient. At mail.com, we rely on modern, high-performance technology that focuses on optimized resource use and a balanced energy footprint.

And here’s another advantage: the more people use cloud services, the more cost-efficient and resource-efficient the overall system becomes, meaning greater efficiency in the long run.

“It's all just a money-making scheme.”

Not with us! Your mail.com account automatically includes 2 GB of free cloud storage, with no fees and no time limit. You only pay if you ever want additional space, and even then, our upgrade options come at fair, transparent rates. You can check out all available plans whenever you like.
  In short, the cloud isn’t something to fear. It’s a secure, efficient, and user-friendly way to protect your files and access them anywhere. Once you look past the myths, you’ll see just how much the mail.com Cloud can simplify your digital life.

If you found this article helpful, please leave us some feedback below. And if you still don’t have a mail.com email account, why not sign up for free today?

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