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What Exactly Is Cloud?

Simply put, the cloud is the Internet—more specifically, it's all of the things you can access remotely over the Internet. When something is in the cloud, it means it's stored on Internet servers instead of your computer's hard drive. Watch the video below to learn more about the cloud.
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Lesson 15: Understanding the Cloud

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What is the Cloud?

You may have heard people using terms like the Cloud, Cloud computing, or Cloud storage. But what exactly is the Cloud?

Simply put, the Cloud is the Internet—more specifically, it's all of the things you can access remotely over the Internet. When something is in the Cloud, it means it's stored on Internet servers instead of your computer's hard drive.

Watch the video below to learn more about the Cloud.

VIDEO

Looking for the old version of this video? You can still view it here.

Why use the Cloud?

Some of the main reasons to use the Cloud are convenience and reliability. For example, if you've ever used a web-based email service, such as Gmail or Yahoo! Mail, you've already used the Cloud. All of the emails in a web-based service are stored on servers rather than on your computer's hard drive. This means you can access your email from any computer with an Internet connection. It also means you'll be able to recover your emails if something happens to your computer.

Let's look at some of the most common reasons to use the Cloud.

File storage: You can store all types of information in the Cloud, including files and email. This means you can access these things from any computer or mobile device with an Internet connection, not just your home computer. Dropbox and Google Drive are some of the most popular Cloud-based storage services. File sharing: The Cloud makes it easy to share files with several people at the same time. For example, you could upload several photos to a Cloud-based photo service like Flickr or iCloud Photos, then quickly share them with friends and family. Backing up data: You can also use the Cloud to protect your files. There are apps such as Carbonite that automatically back up your data to the Cloud. This way, if your computer ever is lost, stolen, or damaged, you'll still be able to recover these files from the Cloud.

What is a web app?

Previously, we talked about how desktop applications allow you to perform tasks on your computer. But there are also web applications—or web apps—that run in the Cloud and do not need to be installed on your computer. Many of the most popular sites on the Internet are actually web apps. You may have even used a web app without realizing it! Let's take a look at some popular web apps.

Facebook: Facebook lets you create an online profile and interact with your friends. Profiles and conversations can be updated at any time, so Facebook uses web app technologies to keep the information up to date.Pixlr: Pixlr is an image editing application that runs in your web browser. Much like Adobe Photoshop, it includes many advanced features, like color correction and sharpening tools.Google Docs: Google Docs is an office suite that runs in your browser. Much like Microsoft Office, you can use it to create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. And because the files are stored in the Cloud, it's easy to share them with others.

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14 Related questions Answers found

What is cloud in simple words?

In the simplest terms, cloud computing means storing and accessing data and programs over the internet instead of your computer's hard drive. (The PCMag Encyclopedia defines it succinctly as "hardware and software services from a provider on the internet.") Ultimately, the "cloud" is just a metaphor for the internet.

What is the cloud and how does it work?

The cloud refers to software and services that run on the Internet, instead of locally on your computer. Most cloud services can be accessed through a Web browser like Firefox or Google Chrome, and some companies offer dedicated mobile apps.

Is Google Drive a cloud?

Google Drive is a free cloud-based storage service that enables users to store and access files online. The service syncs stored documents, photos and more across all of the user's devices, including mobile devices, tablets and PCs.

Why is it called cloud?

Cloud computing is named as such because the information being accessed is found remotely in the cloud or a virtual space. Companies that provide cloud services enable users to store files and applications on remote servers and then access all the data via the Internet.

Who created the cloud?

Cloud Computing was invented in the early 1960s by J.C.R Licklider (Joseph Carl Robnett Licklider), an American Psychologist and Computer Scientist.

Is the cloud free?

The cloud is full of free storage, if you know where to look. From Box to DropBox, Google to Apple, there's plenty of free storage to be had in the cloud. Many companies use free cloud storage as a way to entice users into their clouds in hopes that they will pay more for additional storage.

Which is the biggest cloud in the world?

Noctilucent clouds are composed of tiny crystals of water ice up to 100 nm in diameter and exist at a height of about 76 to 85 km (249,000 to 279,000 ft), higher than any other clouds in Earth's atmosphere.

What is the biggest cloud company?

The Big Three Stand Alone Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft, and Google are by far the biggest players in the cloud computing industry, according to Garnter's 2017 annual report on cloud computing.

Can cloud storage be hacked?

If you choose a cloud storage solution that relies on a password to access your data, choose a password that's difficult to hack with dictionary attacks, and change your password often to reduce the chances of success from brute force attacks. Data can be captured en route.

Which is the best definition of a cloud?

Definition of cloud (Entry 1 of 2) 1 : a visible mass of particles of condensed vapor (such as water or ice) suspended in the atmosphere of a planet (such as the earth) or moon.

Is the cloud a real thing?

Cloud space exists on individual servers found at data centres and server farms around the world. Data centre and collocation providers offer server space for cloud computing.

Who controls the cloud?

The short answer is that you own the data you create, but the cloud service provider has ultimate control over it. This is reflected in many providers' terms of service which state that they can hold on to the data to comply with legal regulations.

How do I know if I have a cloud account?

If you can check your email on your computer and also with an app on your phone, you're using a cloud-based email service. If you can log into one of your social media accounts (like Facebook or LinkedIn) on your friend's computer as well as on your own laptop, it's cloud-based as well.

What is the difference of cloud and sky?

is that cloud is to become foggy or gloomy, to become obscured from sight while sky is (sports) to hit, kick or throw (a ball) extremely high.