ACRONIS CYBER PROTECT HOME OFFICE
Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office is a robust solution designed to offer complete data protection for individuals and small businesses. Combining traditional backup software with modern cybersecurity tools, Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office aims to provide an all-in-one platform for securing personal data, preventing cyber threats, and ensuring business continuity.
In this review, we’ll break down its key features, performance, pros, cons, and pricing to help you decide if it’s the right tool for safeguarding your digital life.
Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office is a first grade backup application providing not only backup but also security and protection of your valuable data.
Its interface is the best I’ve found solar. Clean and providing all information in simple overviews of available features and protection status.
Acronis comes in different versions: Essential , Advanced and Premium(+ 1 TB cloud Free)
Setup of Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office is simple, you only need to allow full disk access through Preferences and the installation of a ‘helper’ tool. Just straightforward really. To activate the application just fill the license area and setup a web active ‘Dashboard’ to control your backups, licenses and features.
Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office, is in the end a backup application with a wide range of options. When it comes down to a backup, the best options are security and safety :
- Protection against Ransomware
- High level Encryption
- Antivirus scan
There are lots of backup utilities for Mac around, but most just make backups incremental or not. Acronis however is not a basic software developer making a useful utility but a leader in the world of cyber-protection for home users and multinationals with the most sophisticated IT departments. In other words Acronis is a professional amongst professionals. Their Cyber-protection portfolio covers all security aspects.
Now back to setting up a backup, which is easy to do:
Basic backup is: Select the source and choose encryption of your data or not. Now hit he BackUp button and job done. All files will be in this case transport to the Acronis Cloud.
The ‘Settings’ button reveals the preferences setup for the Back Up
All possible features of Acronis are mentioned in this tab-overview. Just hit the Tab and read the function it represents. As you can see all situations are covered.
- Full image backup
- File and folder backups
- Ransomware, cryptojacking protection
- Real-time protection
- Microsoft 365 backup
- Unlimited mobile devices
- Incremental and differential backups
- Resumable replications
- Virtual environment support
Protect everything to recover anything. A mirror image of your system disk or a selected partition enables you to easily recover whatever you need – from your full system to an individual file or folder.
The way in which antivirus software works is by detecting known threats. A victim must be infected first for the software to determine that the file is malicious. If a user hasn’t updated their antivirus software, malware is not recognizable; therefore, ransomware will not be detected and stopped. The first rule of internet/cyber security is to only open or activate files you truly understand their purpose off. Never just open links in spam email or even not by your Mail app recognised emails. Always check its sender in the header when you’re unsure about its validity. Don’t open mails from banks you have no accounts from. Even IT departments fall for the ultimate criminal files added in emails but not showing its potential code.
Acronis Cyber Protection has ransomware protection in its security selection. To be honest ransomware detection is only possible if the application is up to date or sophisticated enough to detect unwanted code running/activation and stop before it intrudes your system and takes over control. The protection needs to be able to detect its digital signature. Acronis Active Protection constantly observes patterns in how data files are being changed on a system. One set of behaviors may be typical and expected. Another set of behaviors may signal a suspect process taking hostile action against files. The Acronis approach looks at these actions and compares them against malicious behavior patterns. This approach can be exceptionally powerful in identifying ransomware attacks, even from ransomware variants that are as-yet unreported.
What is the difference between ransomware and malware?
Malware is the umbrella term for all programs that cause damage to a device. Both viruses and ransomware are therefore malware. Ransomware, is malware that spreads during activation and encrypts files in the infected computer network. The device is only decrypted by the hacker when a ransom is paid.
Is ransomware a virus?
No, ransomware is not a virus. Although viruses and ransomware are both malware, they are different. Viruses infect data and replicate themselves. Ransomware on the other hand encrypts files. For this reason, the name “cryptovirus” does not correlate exactly with the malware.
Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office is also equipped with a valid Antivirus engine protecting you from malicious attacks. You might wonder how well this antivirus engine is working as Acronis is not particularly know for its antivirus capabilities unlike Bitdefender, Norton and such. Acronis however has not taken this step lightly and believed only a perfect engine could be implemented. As such it contacted AV-Test center in order to certificate its antivirus engine.
Acronis Antivirus got top marks from this best known test centre in Berlin, Germany. You can download its verdict here: Cert.doc
The test was performed with Windows data files but we take Acronis word for scoring top marks on Mac files as well.
Tip *: You may want to exclude The Machine from virusscanning as it takes days to complete.
You may wish to make a bootable backup in case you ever get stuck. You may also wish to clone your Mac to a new machine. Both options are easily performed with Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office.
Basically, disk cloning is the process of perfectly copying every bit of information from one computer hard drive to another disk. Often, the contents of the first disk are written to an image file as an intermediate step. The second disk is then created with the contents of the image.
A bootable backup will help you restore a full backup in just a few steps! However when you run a iMac > 2018 your iMac needs some adjusted settings in order to make this possible.
Secure Boot settings are available in Startup Security Utility:
- Turn on your Mac, then press and hold Command-R immediately after you see the Apple logo to start up from macOS Recovery.
- When you see the macOS Utilities window, choose Utilities > Startup Security Utility from the menu bar.
- When you’re asked to authenticate, click Enter macOS Password, then choose an administrator account and enter its password.
- In Startup Security Utility, select the options No Security and Allow booting from external media.
Comprehensive Data Backup
- Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office offers full disk backup, allowing you to back up your entire system or select files and folders. Whether you’re backing up your documents, photos, or system configurations, Acronis ensures that your important data is always secure.
- The software supports local backups (on external drives or network-attached storage devices) as well as cloud backups, allowing you to create off-site copies for additional protection.
Cybersecurity Features
- What sets Acronis apart from many backup solutions is its built-in cybersecurity features. These include:
- Anti-ransomware protection: Acronis uses AI-based threat detection to identify and block ransomware attacks before they can encrypt your files.
- Antivirus: The software includes real-time antivirus protection, scanning files and emails for known malware, trojans, and other types of malicious software.
- Active protection: Acronis actively monitors and blocks suspicious activity, providing real-time protection against potential threats.
- Web filtering: The software also offers web filtering to block access to potentially dangerous or malicious websites.
Cloud Storage
- Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office includes cloud storage with plans that provide up to 5 TB of space, depending on your chosen subscription level. Cloud backups ensure that even in the case of hardware failure, data loss, or a cyber attack, your data is safely stored in the cloud and easily recoverable.
File and Folder Backup
- For users who do not wish to back up an entire system, Acronis offers the flexibility to back up specific files and folders. This makes it easy to secure your most important documents, media, and project files without backing up an entire operating system.
Disk Cloning and Migration
- Acronis also provides disk cloning and disk migration tools. These are especially useful if you plan to upgrade your storage device (e.g., migrating from a traditional hard drive to an SSD) or need to clone your system to a new machine. The cloning feature is efficient and can help ensure smooth system transitions.
Mobile App
- Acronis offers a mobile app for both iOS and Android, allowing you to monitor backups and restore data directly from your phone or tablet. This can be useful if you need to access files remotely or ensure your backups are progressing without needing to sit at your computer.
Data Recovery
- In case of data loss, Acronis offers easy-to-use data recovery options. You can restore your system or files with just a few clicks. The software also provides a bootable recovery environment that can help you recover a system that is unbootable due to corruption, ransomware, or other system failures.
Full Disk Encryption
- Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office also includes full disk encryption, ensuring that sensitive data is protected even if your device is lost or stolen. This feature adds an additional layer of security, especially for users working with sensitive business or personal information.
Active Protection Against Cryptojacking
- Acronis actively scans for cryptojacking attacks, where cybercriminals hijack your computer’s resources to mine cryptocurrencies without your consent. This is an increasingly common form of attack, and Acronis helps protect against it.
Unlimited Backup Versions
- Unlike many other backup solutions, Acronis allows you to store an unlimited number of backup versions, meaning you can recover previous iterations of files or your system if needed. This provides flexibility in recovery options.
Ease of Use
- Acronis has designed Cyber Protect Home Office to be easy to use, with a clean interface that guides users through the process of setting up backups, scanning for threats, and managing security features. Even those with limited technical expertise can get up and running quickly.
- The setup process is relatively straightforward, and Acronis provides helpful wizards for configuring both backup and security options. The ability to set automatic backups and schedule scans ensures the software runs quietly in the background without requiring constant oversight.
Backup Speed and Efficiency
- Backup performance is solid, and Acronis does a good job of completing backups relatively quickly. The initial backup may take longer (depending on the amount of data), but subsequent backups are typically faster due to the use of incremental backups (backing up only changed data).
- Cloud backups can take longer, especially with larger files, but Acronis allows for bandwidth throttling to minimize disruption to your internet speed during backup processes.
System Resource Usage
- Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office runs efficiently in the background, consuming relatively few system resources. However, during heavy scans or backups, you may notice a slight impact on system performance. This is typical of most comprehensive backup and security software, but Acronis offers options to schedule backups during off-peak hours to mitigate this.
Reliability
- Acronis is known for its reliable backup and recovery solutions, and the Cyber Protect Home Office version is no exception. It offers excellent recovery options in case of system failure, and its anti-ransomware and antivirus protection work as intended, blocking threats and protecting files from malicious attacks.
| All-in-One Solution | One of the biggest advantages of Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office is that it combines data backup and cybersecurity into a single platform. This means users don’t need to install separate antivirus or anti-ransomware software, streamlining the protection process. |
| Effective Ransomware Protection | The AI-powered anti-ransomware feature is particularly valuable, as it can detect and block ransomware attacks in real-time, ensuring that your data remains secure even during an active cyberattack. |
| Cloud and Local Backup | Offering both cloud and local backups ensures that users have multiple layers of protection, reducing the risk of data loss from hardware failure or cyber threats. |
| Flexible Backup Options | Acronis provides full disk backups as well as file and folder backups, giving you the flexibility to choose the level of protection you need. Incremental backups also help save storage space and reduce backup time. |
| Full Disk Encryption | Full disk encryption is an excellent feature for users who need to protect sensitive data, especially if the device is lost or stolen. This level of protection is essential for business and personal security. |
| User-Friendly Interface | The interface is designed to be intuitive, even for less tech-savvy users. Setting up and managing backups, scanning for malware, and viewing reports are all straightforward tasks. |
| Mobile App | The mobile app offers excellent convenience, enabling you to monitor backups, check system status, and restore files from your phone, providing more flexibility in managing your backups and data recovery. |
| Pricing | Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office can be a bit expensive, especially when compared to standalone backup solutions or antivirus tools. The cost is justified by the number of features provided, but it may be more than what casual users need. The cloud storage component adds additional costs, particularly if you need a large amount of storage. |
| Cloud Backup Speed | While cloud backups are essential for off-site data protection, the upload speed can be slow depending on your internet connection and the size of the files you’re backing up. Large backups may take hours or even days, especially with limited bandwidth. |
| Resource Usage During Scans | While the software is generally efficient, there may be resource spikes during full scans or backups, potentially slowing down other tasks. However, these can be managed by scheduling scans during off-peak hours. |
| Complexity for Basic Users | While the interface is user-friendly, the number of features may overwhelm some users who are only looking for a simple backup tool. The extensive settings for backup scheduling, security scans, and customizations may be more than what casual users need. |
Acronis offers several pricing plans for Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office:
- 1-Device Plan (Annual Subscription): $49.99/year (includes 500 GB of cloud storage)
- 3-Device Plan (Annual Subscription): $89.99/year (includes 1 TB of cloud storage)
- 5-Device Plan (Annual Subscription): $124.99/year (includes 1 TB of cloud storage)
- Additional Cloud Storage: Available for an extra fee.
The cost is on the higher end of the market, but given the comprehensive features, it’s a reasonable price for those who need both backup and cybersecurity in one package.
Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office is a top-tier solution for those looking to combine data backup and cybersecurity. Its integrated approach makes it particularly appealing for users who want a single tool for both backing up files and protecting against cyber threats like ransomware. The combination of cloud storage, local backups, and cyber protection features (such as antivirus and anti-ransomware) makes it an excellent choice for individuals and small businesses who want comprehensive protection without juggling multiple software solutions.
While the pricing may be a bit high for some users, especially those who only need basic backup features, Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office is a reliable, feature-rich solution that justifies its cost through its robust protection and ease of use.
For those seeking an all-in-one backup and security solution, Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office is a standout choice. https://www.acronis.com/en-us/
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