BullGuard Backup 8.0 is the second generation of Bullguard's off-site storage app. And with 10GB of online storage included, it's excellent value.

Off-site storage used to be an esoteric (and expensive) task restricted to corporate users with an extensive network. The rapid growth of broadband now helps to make this a market open to all computer users.

Despite its name, BullGuard Backup 8.0 is actually the second release of this utility as standalone software (originating in Bullguard Internet Security).

Much in BullGuard Backup 8.0 is similar to the first release, but there is one extremely important improvement: whereas previously users had to pay extra to obtain storage larger than a gigabyte, now a 10GB drive is included in the price. This means that although the price has risen slightly, it's actually much better value.

BullGuard Backup 8.0 now also allows you to perform scheduled backups to removable devices such as USB sticks or external hard drives. The interface has not changed much, but this is no bad thing. For the vast majority of people, the ability to identify the part of your hard drive you want to duplicate and then run scheduled backups with a couple of clicks is ideal for ensuring the task is completed. There are a few options to tinker with, but this is very much an install and forget procedure.

Files are compressed before being transferred to the online drive, thus reducing upload speed for certain files, and BullGuard Backup 8.0 works when the PC is idle to try and minimise the performance hit. If you require it, you can purchase a 15GB online drive for storing videos and other media, but the standard BullGuard Backup 8.0 package will be sufficient for most people. The fact that the licence can also be run on three home computers makes it even more appealing.

There is not much you can do with BullGuard Backup 8.0 in terms of configuring backups beyond selecting directories and schedules, but again this is a bonus rather than a hassle, and means you are much more likely to protect your files online.