Glossary

Cloud Storage

A service that stores your files on remote servers and syncs them across your devices.

Definition

Cloud storage moves files off the device and into a provider's data centers. It enables sync, sharing, collaboration, and effortless backups. The trade-off is trust: the provider holds (and, by default, can read) your data.

Some providers offer end-to-end encrypted cloud storage where only you hold the key — at the cost of features like in-product preview or web-based search. Many users mix: standard cloud for collaboration files, encrypted storage for sensitive personal data.

Example

You take a photo on your phone. It uploads to your cloud storage and is available on your laptop and tablet within seconds — and survives a phone loss.

Frequently asked questions

Is cloud storage secure?

It's as secure as your account. Strong unique password + 2FA on the account is the difference between 'safe' and 'breach'.

Is encrypted cloud storage worth it?

For sensitive personal data, yes. For files you collaborate on with others, the convenience trade-off matters.