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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
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Answers to common questions are found below. For more information please go to our "How To" articles found in the support section of http://www.websafe.com/. Should you have additional questions please send a note to
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Setup
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Is there a free account?
Yes. From the www.websafe.com click the "Free 50MB Safe" button. Your free account is 50MB and comes with two "keys" for sharing information. No credit card information is required for the free account. If you choose to upgrade to a larger safe, add keys, or purchase additional features a credit card will be required.
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How do I pay for an account?
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Enter your credit card information via our secure login when you set up an account via "Buy Now" from www.websafe.com. If you upgrade to a paid account from your free safe, you will be prompted for credit card information. WebSafe offers monthly and annual accounts. For both types of accounts your authorized credit card will be charged fees for the options and features you have selected on the day you sign up for your account or if you make changes to your account the day you make the changes. If you have a monthly account, your authorized credit card will be billed monthly on the day of the month you set up your account. If you have an annual account, thirty (30) days prior to your anniversary date (the day and month you set up your account) you will be sent an e-mail to the e-mail address that is your WebSafe username indicating that your authorized credit card will be billed applicable fees on the anniversary date.
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What account options and features are there?
Options and Features on your account include:
- Size of your "safe"
- Number of keys (2 are included at no charge)
- MyMedSafe - personal health record (you select quantity)
- Password Manager
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How is my account renewed?
Your WebSafe account will automatically renew unless you cancel it from the Control Panel you see when you login. If you have an annual account, we will send you an
e-mail 30 days prior to your anniversary date as described in "How do I pay for an account?".
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Can I cancel my account?
Yes, from the control panel when you login there is a "Cancel Account" tab. Of course we hope you choose not to take this option, and if there is something we can do to keep you as a customer please drop us a note at: support@websafe.com.
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Am I required to download and install software?
There is no software required to download or install for basic use. There are optional downloads depending on your requirements.
A helpful free plugin which we provide called "Edit Helper" allows for a document to be stored back into your "safe" with a single mouse click after editing. The free plug-in can be downloaded from the "Welcome" tab when you are logged into WebSafe.
A utility which is useful for WebDAV access
is WebDrive. For online backup we have found SyncBack to be a good
offering. Further information can be found in our "How To" sections
and on their sites.
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How big should my safe be?
This depends on the number and type of files you want to store. WebSafe offers flexibility in sizing such that it is easy to increase your safe size if you need to. You can do this through the "Buy More" tab in your WebSafe.
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Security
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What is my "Master Key"?
When you set up your account you are asked to download your master key and store it in a safe place. This is the encryption key used by WebSafe and is unique to your account. You are also given the option of selecting "key recovery service" which allows us to save an encrypted copy of your key on WebSafe servers and access it with a secret question/answer provided by you. If you lose your password and don't have your master key and didn't accept "key recovery service", your data will not be able to be accessed. You may download your key from the Control Panel in My Safe when logged in at any time. You may change your selection on "key recovery service" or the secret question/answer from the "Account Info" tab.
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Are my files safe?
WebSafe takes security of your data very seriously. Your account is password protected and all information is encrypted during data acquisition and delivery using SSL and while stored on our servers with AES-256 bit encryption. For more information visit our security section on http://www.websafe.com/.
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What is SSL?
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) has become the accepted standard for data delivery over the Web. SSL uses two keys to encrypt data - a public key known to everyone and a private or secret key known only to the recipient of the message. Using SSL ensures that even if the data acquisition or delivery is intercepted, the hacker will not be able to decrypt the data packets.
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What is AES-256 bit encryption and how secure is it?
AES-256 bit encryption is the most secure encryption algorithm applied today. In June 2003, the US Government announced that AES may be used for classified information and concluded that AES-25-bit encryption is sufficient to protect classified information up to the TOP SECRET level.
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Where is my data stored?
WebSafe servers are located in a highly secure facility leased from Southern Telecom, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE - SO). This site serves as a carrier hotel for major telecom vendors and Southern Company's own IT operations. The site features Class A structure with a climate-controlled environment, two separate power feeds, UPS and backup generators, video surveillance, 24x7 guards, and advanced fire protection techniques including a full HALON fire extinguishing system.
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Is my data backed up?
All information on the WebSafe servers is mirrored to provide redundancy and daily backups are made to servers in another city for recovery purposes.
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Is there any testing by a third party against intrusion?
Yes. WebSafe's home page (www.websafe.com) and https://secrure.websafe.com are tested and certified daily to pass the HACKER SAFE Security Scan. To help address concerns about hacker access to confidential data, the "live" HACKER SAFE mark appears only when a web site meets the HACKER SAFE standard. Research indicates sites remotely scanned for known vulnerabilities on a daily basis, such as those earning HACKER SAFE certification, can prevent over 99% of hacker crime.
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Accessing My Account
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What is WebDAV? Do you support it?
WebDAV stands for "Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning". It is an open Internet standard that allows you to access files and folders on a remote web server the same way you as on a desktop or network connection. Via WebDAV you can access your WebSafe as a virtual drive and open, move or save files just as you would with your local drive or any other network connection. WebDAV offers an alternative to browser access. Multiple file uploads and downloads are easily handled (on the browser interface you are limited to one file at a time), and you can drag and drop folders and files from your local drive to your WebSafe and vice versa.
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Do you support Web Folders?
Web Folders is the Microsoft Windows client implementation of WebDAV. On Windows legacy systems (9x/NT, 2000, 2003) a third party client such as WebDrive is required for error free access. Windows Vista Web Folders, for some versions of Vista, allows a secure connection over SSL to WebSafe without an additional client. If your particular Vista version does not allow this connection the WebDrive client is recommended.
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Do you recommend other WebDAV clients?
- Yes. Because of limitations of Web Folders on Windows legacy systems (9x/NT, 2000, 2003) WebSafe recommends that you use WebDrive. WebSafe has partnered with South River Technologies, the premier supplier of Windows WebDAV client software and their WebDrive client has been thoroughly tested with WebSafe. Install WebDrive on your Windows legacy system and you can be connected in just a few minutes. Copy files using familiar drag-and-drop or copy-paste commands.
- Macintosh users running OS X 10.4 or higher can use the "Finder" to connect to WebSafe through WebDAV. Earlier Mac OS X versions may use 3rd party programs such as Goliath.
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Are there any other methods of access?
WebSafeDirect is a no charge application programming interface (API) providing developers the tools to easily integrate WebSafe backups to their application. The API comes in two versions: a COM server for Microsoft Windows and a pure Python module for Linux/Macintosh environments. if you would like to download a free copy contact us at
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What if I forget my password?
This depends on whether or not you have your master key and/or if you selected "key recovery service. When you set up your account you were asked to download your master key and store it in a safe place. The master key is the encryption key used by WebSafe and is unique to your account. You were also given the option of selecting "key recovery service" which allows us to save an encrypted copy of your key on WebSafe servers and access it with a secret question/answer provided by you. If
you lose your password and either don't have your master key or didn't
accept "key recovery service", your data will not be able to be accessed. You may download your master key from the "Account Info" tab when logged in at any time. You may also change your selection on "key recovery service" or the secret question/answer from the "Account Info" tab.
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My e-mail address is my username, how do I change it?
Login to your safe and go to the "Account Info" tab. We ask that you use your e-mail address as your username. Remember - e-mail is our only way of communicating with you, so it is important that you have a working e-mail address.
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Storing and Retrieving My Information
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What file formats can I store?
Any file format can be stored in WebSafe. When a file is opened, the associated application used for viewing and/or editing the file will launch.
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How do I store information in my WebSafe?
To upload files via browser, you first login to your WebSafe by entering your username and password. You then click the "Storage" icon in the left frame. If you want to create a new folder, left click the "Actions Menu" button or move the cursor to the open area in the right frame and click the left mouse button. This will display a menu with a "New Folder" option. Once the folder has been created, a single click on the folder opens it. By once again selecting the "Actions Menu", you can create another folder within the folder just created, or upload a file into the current folder. If "Upload" is selected, a window is displayed allowing you to select a file to upload. When the file has been selected, simply click "ok" and it is copied into the current WebSafe folder.
Via WebDAV you can store, move and access file familiar functions such as drag and drop or cut and paste. Simply navigate to the drive letter you assigned your "safe" and treat it like any other resource
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How do I retrieve my files?
Once you have uploaded your files, they are available from any Internet connected computer running a browser supported by WebSafe. Simply log into your account and navigate to the appropriate folder. Clicking on the folder displays a list of files stored in that folder. You may single click the name of the file and it will be downloaded from WebSafe and opened. Alternatively, you may select the check box to the left of the file name and then open the "Actions Menu". Options available include downloading the file, as well as cutting, copying, renaming, or deleting. Via WebDAV, use traditional methods to access just like you would on your local hard drive.
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How can I use WebSafe to backup my critical data files?
There are a variety of backup applications you can use to store your computer data in WebSafe. With WebDAV you can access your safe as a shared volume or network which will allow you to move your important files into your secure WebSafe. Our "How to" articles provide guidance on connecting via WebDAV and provide backup guidance. Your backup software's documentation should also prove helpful.
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How long will it take to back up my files?
The time it will take to back up, or upload, your files will depend on the total size of your files and your Internet connection speed or bandwidth. Ask your Internet service provider to give you a speed estimate and check your actual connection with any number of tools available on the web. Your connection speed is usually expressed in kilobits per second (Kbps) or megabits per second (Mbps).
Depending on your type of connection, your upload speed may be lower than your download speed. As an example, see the following graph for a residential DSL line.
You see on the graph that that the upload speed is 244 kbps, which converts to 244,000/8 bytes per second (eight bits in a byte). This is 30,500 "characters" per second or 109.8 Megabytes (million characters) per hour. So in this instance assume around 100MB per hour upload.
Once your files are uploaded you can take advantage of a program such as SyncBack. Configured appropriately SyncBack will only upload to your safe files which have changed. This of course may significantly reduce time required to maintain your backup.
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Sharing My Information with Keys
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What are "keys"?
One of the unique features of WebSafe is the ability to securely share some or all of your files with others. You do this by giving a "key" to your safe to another WebSafe user and then granting them access to a specific folder or folders. This access can be limited to read only or can include write, create, and/or delete.
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How do I buy Keys?
Each account comes with 2 Keys. You may buy more keys from the "Buy More" tab on the control panel when you login to your safe.
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How do I view information that has been shared with keys?
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When you login your initial screen is divided into two sections or "panes". The left pane displays the contents of your safe in familiar folder fashion. The drop down arrow at the top can be selected to see a list of any other users who may have shared information with you by giving you a "key" to their safe. For more information on managing keys see "How to Manage Your "Keys" for Secure Sharing".
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MyMedSafe
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What is MyMedSafe?
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MyMedSafe is an optional feature of WebSafe providing you the ability to create a personal health record (PHR) that is securely stored in your WebSafe and accessible from anywhere in the world via the Internet. The PHR is a collection of important health information about you or someone you care for, such as a child or elderly parent.
Keeping your own updated PHR helps you play a more active role in your healthcare. Medical information that is scattered across different providers and facilities can be stored in MyMedSafe. With MyMedSafe, you can give your providers more complete and accurate information.
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What personal health information can I store in MyMedSafe?
Personal Health Information you can store in MyMedSafe includes:
- Personal identification including name and date of birth
- Health insurance information
- People to contact in case of emergency
- Physician contact information
- Current medications and doses
- Immunizations and dates
- Allergies
- Hereditary conditions in your family's history
- Test results
- Surgeries
- Uploaded copies of living wills, advanced directives, medical power of attorney
- Uploaded copies of drivers license and insurance cared
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How do I get MyMedSafe?
You can select MyMedSafe from "Buy Now" when you set up your account or add it from the "Buy More" tab in your account when you are logged in.
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How many folders do I need?
You need a MyMedSafe folder for each family member whose information will be stored. Larger quantities are available for groups purchase.
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Who can access MyMedSafe?
You can access from your WebSafe account or emergency providers can access from mymedsafe.com. You can print a card or we can provide you one which has your name, date of birth, primary emergency contact and phone number along with a unique access code. Access through mymedsafe.com will only reveal contents of the particular MyMedSafe folder associated with the unique code.
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