Unless you check the 'Include Only' box in the Service Information area, all data and software files will be backed up. Your initial backup will save every one of them, either directly or by reference, and subsequent backups will save new files or the changes to existing files.

There are certain temporary or operating system files which will not be saved. These are either not necessary for operation, or are standard on the operating system CD which must be installed prior to restoration. More specifically, these are files ending in .bak, .tmp, .cab, files in folders named \cache or \temporary internet file, \temp, etc. A complete list is found on the second screen of 'Update File Selection.' You may add to or delete from the list, but \cache and other temporary file folders will not be saved. Also, no files in the \enveloc folder are saved, excepting the lists described under "What Information Is Not Encrypted".

No. All of your information is securely encrypted with a password that only you know - the password phrase you entered when the software was installed (the inner wrapper). Several control files are provided by the Networks Unlimited software - a list of file names in the backup, those excluded, a list of all file names on your computer, and the remote backup master file which gives your name, address, backup times, and so forth. The whole transmission is Triple DES encrypted a final time (the outer wrapper) prior to transmission to Networks Unlimited servers.

With these multiple layers of encryption, it is impossible for anyone to ever view your data. See the next topic for more on Triple DES Encryption.

For over 20 years, DES has been subject to intense scrutiny, and there are no known algorithmic flaws. Our Triple DES uses a 168 bit key, meaning the key space is 2168 large. How big is 2168? It is approximately 3.7 x 1050, which is 37 followed by 49 zeros. To mount a brute force attack on a key this large would require trying 238 nonillion (2.38 X 1032) keys every second for the remaining estimated life of the solar system - five billion years. Triple DES encryption is very safe.

You must have your password in order to restore your files. If you created a hint when you first entered your password, and if your computer is still functioning, you can recover it through the Utilities menu. However, do not rely on your hint - your hard drive might crash or your computer might be destroyed or stolen. Write it down in 2 places. If we installed it for you, we had you write it on two forms and seal it in envelopes. Keep them in two safe places. If you lose your password, we do not have a copy of it and cannot help you!

Yes. Because we have a list of files on your computer each time you backup, we can compare that to what is on your computer now to find out what has been lost.

We keep the last 5 copies of every file, no matter when they were made, for at least one year. In other words, if you change a file in March, August and 3 times in October, we have each copy. If you then change it in November, we remove the March copy. If you need for us to keep more than 5 copies, please call Networks Unlimited.

Sometimes. If the file is open and available for sharing, it may be backed up. If it is open but locked, it will be skipped. If it is updated during compression, an error will be generated and it will be rejected from the backup set. We recommend that all of your other programs be closed before the backup starts. If you are backing up a Server and need to backup open files, we can provide you with St. Bernard Open File Manager for a nominal one-time fee. St. Bernard recognizes Stockade Remote Backup and will allow open files to be backed up at any time.

Your computer does not wait for a call - it calls us. No one can hack into your computer if it is using the Direct Connection method. If you are using the Internet, we strongly recommend that you acquire firewall software to prevent the possibility of hacking.

All of the information we receive is compressed. During compression, any virus in your backup loses its identity and is inoperable. Of course, if you restore it to your computer, the decompressed virus regains its identity and can run. We strongly recommend good Anti-Virus software regularly updated with current signature lists.