Carbonite Offers Back-to-School Technology Tips for the Connected Family

BOSTON, Aug. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- With more than half of families* purchasing electronics this back-to-school shopping season, students are using more technology than ever to make the grade. As families head out to purchase laptops, tablets and smartphones before the start of the new school year, Carbonite (NASDAQ: CARB), a leading provider of cloud backup solutions, reminds parents that back-to-school time is the perfect time to protect your student's data.

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As summer comes to an end and your student prepares for the school year, here are some back-to-school tech tips that take less than 10 minutes, but can save your family hours and dollars down the road:

Cloud Backup: Cloud backup may not be on the supply list, but you shouldn't send your student back to school without it. Backing up to the cloud protects your important files so you can get them back if your computer crashes or is stolen, and it also provides remote access to backed up files when you're away from your computer. Carbonite's cloud backup plans start at just $59.99 per year, and run in the background so new and changed files are backed up automatically. And for the student who is prone to accidental deletions or loses papers before they're due, Anytime, Anywhere Access ensures they can download, print or email their backed up files from any computer, iOS or Android device.

Virus Protection: While back-to-school virus protection generally consists of stocking up on tissues and hand sanitizer, the threat of computer viruses shouldn't be ignored. Millions of computer viruses can allow someone to access your data, collect billing information, or take control of your computer, and can also slow down your computer and interfere with your programs.

Password Protocol: Today's youth are more connected than ever – 78 percent have cell phones, nearly one quarter have their own tablet, and more than nine in 10 teenagers have a computer or access to one.** With many schools relaxing their technology policies to allow students to bring devices to school, it's important to make sure students implement security measures like passwords to make sure that your family's data doesn't get into the wrong hands.

Mobile Data Usage: Nearly three in four teens say they access the internet from their phones, tablets and other mobile devices.** While on-the-go internet allows students to remotely access files, quickly look up a fact for a history paper and connect with peers, data usage fees can be expensive. Review your family's cellular data plan to ensure your package fits your needs, and ask your family to use Wi-Fi to connect whenever possible to avoid overage fees.

These quick back-to-school tips will ensure that your student starts the school year knowing your family's precious data − from family photos to homework to financial documents − is safe. For more information about how Carbonite can help your family get ready for the upcoming school year, please visit www.Carbonite.com.

About Carbonite

Carbonite (NASDAQ: CARB) keeps small businesses and home offices running smoothly. Carbonite offers a comprehensive suite of affordable services for data protection, recovery and anywhere, anytime access. More than 1.5 million customers, including 50,000 small businesses, trust Carbonite's secure, easy-to-use cloud backup solutions and award-winning U.S.-based customer support. For more information, please visit Carbonite.com, connect with us on Twitter @carbonite and @carbonitebiz, or visit our Facebook page.

*National Retail Foundation 2013 Back to School study. Link.

**Pew Internet Teens and Technology 2013 study. Link.

Media Contacts:
Megan Wittenberger  
Carbonite  
[email protected] 
617-421-5687

Heather Gordon
Finn Partners for Carbonite
[email protected] 
310-552-4123

SOURCE Carbonite