There is one undeniable truth about technology: data is essential. But keeping it safe isn’t always guaranteed—your personal information can be at risk if your device malfunctions or security measures fail. That’s why we’re excited to announce our newest product offering—Cloud Storage—through our sister service, Livedrive! Livedrive is an award-winning ISO 27001-certified storage solution that has helped millions of customers safeguard their data.
Included in IPVanish Advanced: Cloud Storage
When you purchase an IPVanish Advanced VPN plan, you will receive 1TB of Cloud Storage powered by Livedrive.
- This provides you with Backup for 1 PC or Mac computer and up to 5 mobile devices or tablets (Android or iOS).
- It also includes an online cloud storage drive for file syncing and sharing. Think of it as your digital “Briefcase”—an external storage solution like a USB flash drive or hard drive that helps free up space on your devices and safely transfer files.
How to activate your Livedrive account
Activating Livedrive is very simple! You are not automatically enrolled in Livedrive when subscribing to an IPVanish Advanced plan. However, you only need to navigate to your Account Portal on one of your devices and activate your Livedrive account. This is to ensure that only those interested in Livedrive are using it so we can optimize the service for everyone. If you are having trouble accessing Livedrive, make sure you have activated your account, or you can browse the IPVanish Support Center for any other questions. So, to summarize:
- Sign up for an IPVanish Advanced plan.
- In your IPVanish Account Portal, go to Cloud Storage from the menu and select the ‘Activate Livedrive’ button.
- You will receive a Livedrive activation email, which will give you a link to set your password and complete activation.
Only customers enrolled in an IPVanish Advanced plan are eligible for Livedrive. If you are interested in Cloud Storage and currently have an Essential plan, you can upgrade your IPVanish subscription to an Advanced plan by contacting Customer Support.
A tour of the Livedrive App
We want to ensure you have the smoothest experience with the new Cloud Storage offering in your IPVanish subscription. Here is a breakdown of what to expect when using Livedrive:
Desktop
Backup—Under the tab labeled “Backup,” you will find the progress and status of your PC backup so you will always know when it is up to date. You have access to 1 TB of backup space, and your backup will automatically update if you have less than 1TB of space in your device.
File Sync & Share—Under the tab labeled “Briefcase,” you will see all of the files saved in your cloud storage. This is separate from your backup and only includes files you upload. You have 1TB of storage under this tab, and you can delete any files you see in this tab from your device as they will not be synced with your device.
Mobile
Backup—Taking a look at the bottom menu, you will see 3 options. In the “Mobile Backup” tab, you will find the progress of your ongoing backup, if the device you choose to backup is your phone. You can choose to have the backup on or off, and whether you would like to backup over mobile data.
File Sync & Share—Under the “Briefcase” tab, you will see all of the files you have chosen to put into your cloud storage. Here you may find files from multiple devices, and it is also safe to delete any files you see in this tab off of your device. You can easily put these files into folders to keep yourself organized, and this may be a good solution for you if there are files from other devices you would like to access on the go.
Why is a cloud storage solution useful?
Cloud storage is an innovative method of having your files within arm’s reach while keeping them out of your way. Files can become cluttered and are typically limited to one machine. Other solutions like hard drives and flash drives have been a standard for decades, allowing users to move their data around in a more compact format. But here are just a few reasons why cloud storage is a more intuitive backup method paving the way to a clutter-free future:
- It’s resilient. Your files are saved to a remote, encrypted location monitored 24/7 by a security team. That means experts are working around the clock to ensure your data is safe from threats. Physical storage methods can be instantly compromised if lost, damaged, or corrupted. For instance, if your hard drive is stolen, your data is gone and will become instantly accessible to the thief with almost no chance of recovery.
- It makes file transfers easy. Thanks to your digital Briefcase, you can rest easy knowing you’re never far from home. Your 1 TB subscription allows you to free up space on your device and move those files into the cloud. However, that’s not the only way you can benefit from this. Apart from saving space, you can also easily access your files from any device; your data will always be accessible, and your most important files will be safe if catastrophe strikes. Additionally, you can easily share your files with non-Livedrive users, as they will be given a unique login to ensure a secure transfer of data.
- It automatically restores. If you need an emergency file copy, you can pick up where you left off with Backup. Your data will be sitting safely in the Livedrive cloud, with up to 30 previous versions of your file saved through automatic, scheduled backups. With this, the most recent version of your file will automatically reflect what is saved on your device, with no additional steps involved. If a file is deleted, it will be removed from your Backup folder after a 30-day grace period.
VPN users should doubly consider using Cloud Storage. If you travel frequently and are often on public Wi-Fi networks, you become more vulnerable to attacks. Even while using a VPN, human error or connection failures (especially in the absence of Kill Switch) may cause data to leak out unencrypted, which can be intercepted by hackers. The secure transfer links, password and 2FA-protected cloud drive, and automatic file restoration help ensure your data is safe even if your device is compromised. It also allows you to keep essential files off your local device, so they can’t be intercepted or stolen by bad actors.
Why we trust Livedrive
As we mentioned previously, Livedrive is one of our award-winning sister services. This means that we are both built using a lot of the same technology with many of the same employees. Think of it as two siblings teaming up under the same parent — we trust each other because we have the same DNA! Besides that, Livedrive has proven itself to be a worthy partner for this endeavor, and it has been recommended by The Wall Street Journal and PCWorld. And at IPVanish, we have a strong commitment to safety and security, meaning we only offer what we consider the most trusted in the industry.
For more information about Livedrive, activation, and FAQs, visit our Cloud Storage page.