Storing backups on your own web server is a good first step, but it is not enough to keep your site truly safe. If your server crashes, gets hacked, or is physically damaged, you could lose your website and your backups at the same time. This is why off-site storage is essential.

BackupEase and BackupEase Pro allow you to send your backup files to external cloud services. If something happens to your server, your “safety net” is stored somewhere else, ready for you to download and use.

Pro Feature: Encrypted Credentials

Your security is our priority. BackupEase Pro encrypts all of your cloud storage passwords, API keys, and access tokens using a high-level encryption method called AES-256-CBC. This means that even if someone manages to gain access to your website database, they cannot read your cloud storage login details. They are stored in a scrambled format that only the plugin can understand.

1. Google Drive (Available in Free Version)

Google Drive is the standard off-site storage option included with the free version of BackupEase. It is easy to set up and provides a reliable way to keep your backups in the cloud.

  • Go to BackupEase > Settings and look for the Google Drive section.
  • Click the Authorize button to connect your Google account.
  • Follow the prompts on the Google screen to allow BackupEase to save files to your Drive.
  • Caveat: Make sure you have enough free space in your Google Drive. If your Drive is full, the backup will fail at the final step.

2. Dropbox (Pro Feature)

Dropbox is one of the most popular cloud storage tools. BackupEase Pro makes connecting to Dropbox simple using a secure “OAuth” connection.

  • Go to BackupEase > Pro Storage.
  • Find the Dropbox tab.
  • Click Connect to Dropbox.
  • A new window will open asking you to sign in to Dropbox and “Allow” the plugin.
  • Once finished, BackupEase Pro will automatically handle large files by breaking them into 150MB chunks for a smoother upload.

3. Microsoft OneDrive (Pro Feature)

If you use Microsoft 365 or a personal Outlook account, OneDrive is an excellent choice for your backups.

  • Go to BackupEase > Settings.
  • Find the OneDrive tab.
  • Click the Authorize button.
  • Sign in with your Microsoft account and click “Yes” to allow access.

4. FTP and SFTP (Pro Feature)

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and SFTP (Secure FTP) allow you to send backups to another web server or a private storage box. While FTP is common, we highly recommend using SFTP because it encrypts your data while it is being sent.

  • Go to BackupEase > Settings and select the FTP or SFTP tab.
  • Enter your server address (Host), Username, and Password.
  • Pro Tip: For SFTP, you can use a “Public Key” instead of a password for even better security.
  • Click Test Connection to make sure your settings are correct before saving.

Pro Feature: Per-Provider Retention

Different cloud services have different storage limits. BackupEase Pro allows you to set different “Cleanup” rules for each place you store backups. For example, you might want to keep:

  • 10 Backups on your local server (because it is fast).
  • 3 Backups on Dropbox (because your space is limited).
  • 30 Backups on SFTP (because you have plenty of storage there).

You can configure these rules under BackupEase > Settings > Backup Retention.

Important Considerations and Caveats

  • Folder IDs: When setting up Google Drive or OneDrive, the plugin uses a specific “Folder ID” to know where to put your files. Do not change this ID manually unless you are an advanced user, or the plugin will lose track of your files.
  • Large File Timeouts: If your website is very large (over 2GB), some cloud providers might time out during the upload. BackupEase Pro tries to prevent this by using “Chunked Uploads,” but it is always best to check your History tab to ensure the upload status says “Complete.”
  • SFTP Requirements: To use SFTP, your web server must have a PHP extension called “ssh2” installed. Most modern hosting companies have this enabled. If you see an error saying “ssh2 extension missing,” you will need to ask your hosting provider to turn it on.
  • Firewalls: Some very strict servers block outgoing connections. If you cannot connect to Dropbox or OneDrive, your server’s firewall might be blocking the plugin from “talking” to the cloud.

Next Steps

Once you have connected your cloud storage, you can use the Pro Schedules feature to automatically send your backups to these destinations every hour, day, or week.