The IBackup online backup service is hosted at the mirrored facilities of the Exodus Communications Internet Data Center at El Segundo, Calif. Operating since 1999, IBackup offers online storage for individual and SOHO users, as well as secure online workgroup and server data storage for SMBs.

The IBackup for Windows agent is a more secure and configurable extension of Pro-Softnet's simplified online data-storage service, which remains at the core of its storage methodology. Downloading and setting up the agent took us only a few minutes, with file selection based on a basic file-tree interface that will be familiar to Windows users. The IBackup agent didn't provide us with any tools to back up dynamic system state or database files, so we were limited to static data files. However, IBackup recently released an Exchange Server Backup Utility that lets customers create live backups of Exchange data.

After we did an initial full backup, incremental transfers used a block-level comparison algorithm that transferred only modified file contents. One neat capability was the SnapShots feature, which let us capture views of data for point-in-time file restoration.

It was easy to configure the intervals for scheduling unattended backups. For interserver communications, the agent used 128-bit SSL encryption by default. In addition it used Microsoft's CryptoAPI to encrypt files in storage, and could support 56- or 128-bit key lengths depending on the platform.

The IBackup service differed from rivals in that after our initial backup data was transmitted, the data set was treated like any other remote storage. This offered a rather frightening amount of access. For example, with proper password authentication, we could log on to our account and edit the online data set and files--cutting, copying, moving and deleting as if it were normally attached storage. We could restore to other systems, create subaccounts and publish data to public Web folders (with an upgrade to a basic account). Feel the power.

Of course, this freedom is a double-edged sword: It doesn't fit the classic model of write-only data backups, and it may make some security managers apoplectic. Heck, most services don't even let you delete stored files! But in IBackup's defense, the flip side to opening the door to human error is that the IBackup model offers the most flexibility for repurposing your data, should you choose to do so.

IBackup also logged in as the least expensive service we tested, with our test server costing only $14.94 per month for up to 4 GB of storage, based on a basic backup account with a 10-day retention scheme. There are other service and retention plans available, and technical support is offered via Web, e-mail and online chat, with telephone support on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific.

IBackup for Windows 7.0.4. Pro-Softnet Corp., (800) 949-3555, (818) 594-5972. www.ibackup.com