How to Keep Your Files Accessible While Traveling

Having remote access to your files while traveling is becoming more and more a necessity nowadays. Today we will take a look at how to keep your files accessible while traveling.

Accessing your files while traveling can be super simple considering there are many free or subscription-based programs that set up the connection for you with a few simple clicks.

These programs let you log into your home computer from a Web browser on a remote computer (e.g., a workstation at the office, your parents’ home, etc.) or, in some cases, even from an app on a mobile device like a smartphone or iPad, etc.

Accessibility Programs

These programs allow you to work on your home computer as if you were sitting in front of it. Here are some popular remote access programs. 

LogMeIn: offers both a free version that works with Windows PCs and Macs for remote desktop control as well as a Pro version that also enables file transfers, remote printing, to name a few features.

GoToMyPC: is a subscription-based service from Citrix prices vary depending on the amount of usage for one computer (Mac or PC). So, make sure you take into consideration how often you will be traveling and or accessing your files remotely from your computer.

What’s neat about GoToMyPC is that it offers similar advanced features, like drag-and-drop file transfer, that the paid LogMeIn Pro version includes, but if you are still not convinced you want to purchase the program. Don’t fret there’s a free trial version, so you can compare GoToMyPC with the free version of LogMeIn to figure out which program works best for you.

UltraVNC: is a free program as well too. It’s a fairly easy configurable program that uses VNC (Virtual Network Computing) technology for remote desktop sharing. It offers many advanced features like special graphics drivers, encryption plugins, and Windows authentication, but can be more complex to configure.

NAS (NETWORK ATTACHED STORAGE)

Another option to share files is by utilizing NAS (Network Attached Storage) device. If you really don’t need to remotely control or manage your home computer and you just want to be able to access shared files over the Internet, you can use a NAS device commonly known as NAS box.

What NAS is a mini file server that you connect to your home network,usually via Ethernet to your home router. NAS devices typically offer remote file access via FTP or web browsers. NAS is a good for file sharing and backups for multiple computers.

Use Online Backup and Syncing Services

Now, if you are glued to your work, and you need to have access to your documents while you travel it is not a bad idea to consider cloud computing. Cloud computing can be the answer to all your problems. Cloud computing is fantastic for accessing remote files from anywhere without having to set up any hardware.

Cloud computing takes away all the unnecessary headaches that come with configuring devices in order to remotely access your files.This comes in handy specifically with online backup and file syncing web apps.

Online backup services provide automatic offsite storage of your files and typically also allow you to download individual files from a web browser or mobile app. So, you can rest assured no matter where you are you can access your files without a problem. You can visit Carbonite's website to check out all of their features, another place you can visit is Mozy pro where you will be amazed to see what they offer, and last, but not least you can visit BackBlaze this backup service is one of the most popular ones in the market right now.

Backblaze can be a real lifesaver, and the ratings are pretty favorable. Again, these are a few online backup services to look at when shopping around for a cloud computing provider. If you are number crunching and you think it’s not affordable.

Think again! There are also additional options for low-cost backup, including using your webmail or web hosting service to store files online — and these can also give you remote access to your files. It’s a matter of shopping around and researching which service provider gives you more bang for your buck.

Your life can be simplified when you travel, and you don’t have to worry about schlepping around multiple devices to keep abreast with your work. File syncing services and applications are specifically designed to always keep your most important documents with you and accessible wherever you go.

You can check out Dropbox's website, or you can also visit sugar sync website. These providers automatically mirror a folder or several folders on your computer to their online servers. It’s like having a file server in the cloud; you can share files with others and, in some cases, even edit files in your browser and sync with mobile devices.

This simplifies your life immensely giving you extra time to dedicate to other things while traveling.

Conclusion

Now, if you are worried about using a third-party provider, you can always set up a personal server. This is the most expensive of all solutions, but if you feel that you are better off setting up your VPN and server: then both Apple Mac OS Server and Windows Home Server have home or small business networking and remote access options.

That can be set up for you, but keep in mind this is the most expensive and time-consuming setup, but it offers you the most control if you tend to be a control freak.

Although, there is nothing to fear with cloud computing. It’s easy, it’s fast, and it alleviates the hassle of setting things up. It does it for you. It’s secure, and you can access your files where ever and whenever you need to do so. It just boils down to figuring out the best plan for you and taking it from there.