Use Box Sync For Safe File Backup

By now, you have probably heard of Duke Box – you may even use it regularly.  Do you sync?  It’s a great way to keep your important documents safe and always available. 

But first, here’s our Tech Tip of the Week –

Think your internet speed is slow?  Find out!  Here’s my favorite site to check connection speed – SpeedSmart.  It is browser-safe and should work on any of your devices, even your phone.  

Try it out – nice and easy to use, isn’t it?

Here are some good rules of thumb for download speed?

• Check email and browse the web:                              1-5 Mbps minimum
• Stream HD video content:                                           15-25 Mbps minimum
• Mediasite, stream 4K content, video gaming:            40-100Mbps minimum
• Stream 4k content, video gaming, large files:             200+ Mbps minimum

Using Box Sync

One of my favorite tech tools provided by Duke is Box Sync.  It synchronizes files and folders across all devices and your Box account.  Any changes you make to your synced files will automatically be reflected on all of your devices.  This is great for files you use offline and/or update frequently, both Windows and Mac.

You know the security guidance – always save your important files to your network drive.  If you like to save to your local computer, you can use Box as an automatic cloud backup.  By saving your documents to the sync folder configured within Box, Duke Box automatically makes a backup.  It’s a great feature -

• All files in your synced folder are securely backed up to Box
• The files are available from any device that supports Box
• If you lose your hard drive or change computers, the complete files are immediately available
  • They will automatically be synced to your new computer or drive

We highly recommend this for anyone who likes to store their files on their local computers.

Are there any restrictions on what I can store in my Duke Box account?

Box is fully secure and approved by the Information Security Office.  You can store your academic, research and personal files.  No one else has access to your folders unless you specifically give them access.  When you leave Duke, no one will gain access to your folders.  They will simply be deleted.   

How to get started …

Ready to use Box Sync?  OIT has created instructions for each device:

• Box Sync for Windows
• Box Sync for Mac
• Box Sync for iPhone or iPad
• Box Sync for Android

As always, your IT Service Desk is available to assist if you have questions.

Going Deeper

The Guide for New Users offers detailed instructions and tips for trying Box tools.  Duke OIT also offers a collection of references on advanced features, including a plug-in that will allow you to upload files directly from your Outlook email.

Have any questions about this or other tech used at DUSON?

As always, if you have any technical questions or problems, please contact your IT Service Desk at 919-684-9200, or email to citdl@mc.duke.edu.