Although we don't realize it, but every day we use different cloud computing services. Here's what they are and how they've changed our lives
For the past few years, we've been living in the clouds. We may not realize it, but if we use a single web service - from email to online data storage to video and audio streaming platforms - then we're in some way leveraging a cloud service or platform.
In fact, more and more companies and developers are leveraging cloud systems to offer online services of all kinds. This choice, in fact, ensures greater stability and speed of the platform, greatly improving the user experience by the subscribers. A solution, moreover, that allows the service to be used by anyone, regardless of the device (computer, tablet, smartphone) or operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS) used.
In short, cloud computing has literally pervaded our digital lives (and not only) even if we are not fully aware of it. Cloud systems are so "ubiquitous" that it's worth spending a few minutes to understand what they are, what they are used for and how (the most used ones) they have changed our lives.
What is cloud computing
To understand the importance assumed by cloud systems it is necessary to give, first of all, a definition of what cloud computing is. In technical jargon, cloud computing is the provision of computing services via the network. We are referring in particular to servers, storage space, databases, portions of the computer network, software and much more. These services can be either purchased exclusively or "rented" to be shared with other users.
Simply put, when we talk about cloud systems, we are referring to the possibility of exploiting computer resources "remotely", without the need to physically own them. Many companies, for example, "rent" servers to create local virtual networks without having the "burden" of purchasing and maintaining one; or use the computing power of some supercomputer thousands of miles away to perform some particularly complex operation at affordable costs.
The "normal" Internet users, however, use cloud systems for various operations. A normal browser, for example, is enough to access productivity platforms that are alternatives to Office and can be used for free. Or, again, all the streaming services we know (YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Prime Music and Video, Netflix and so on) have their roots firmly planted on cloud platforms of various kinds.
Cloud storage, what is it and what is it for
Of the various cloud computing services, however, the best known and most widely used is undoubtedly cloud storage. That is, the ability to store files of all kinds, from text documents to videos, images, graphics and any other type of computer data "on the cloud". An alternative solution to physical storage media, such as SD cards, USB keys and external hard drives.
The advantages of cloud storage compared to these systems are many: we can access our files from any device with an Internet connection, we do not run the risk of losing or breaking them and they are "expandable" according to our needs. In addition, cloud storage offers several security systems against intrusion by digital snoopers and hacker attacks of various kinds.
An example is given by LiberoMail's Drive, the cloud storage service that Libero offers its users. Anyone who has an email address with Libero, in fact, has the ability to activate their Drive space for free, directly from the email management dashboard. Once activated, users will have 2 gigabytes of free space within which to save all their files, uploading them directly from the web interface. Within Drive, you'll also be able to store email attachments that you receive, so you can manage and find them more easily. And in case you need more space, no problem: just activate the paid space to get 10 gigabytes of cloud storage to use as you see fit.