Here's the way the sync service works: You first install a small piece of client software (2 MB) on your Windows-based computer. You then choose the folder that you would like to have synchronized to the server. If you wish, the software will create a desktop shortcut to your folder, so you can easily drag and drop files into your synchronized folder (called your iFolder).

The client software will regularly monitor your iFolder for any changes that you make to your files. If you modify a file in the folder, it will forward only the changes on to the secure server. If you are logged in with another computer, within a short time (a few seconds) you will see it downloading the changes that you have made on the first computer, so you have a simple, fast disaster recovery system! True, your initial synchronization may take some time, because all your files need to be uploaded. However, after your initial sync only changes are forwarded, reducing bandwidth requirements so that even people with dial-up connections can use this system with excellent performance.

Remember that file synchronization is not the same as backups, and should not be treated the same. A backup system will keep multiple versions of your files, one copy for every time it does a backup. File synchronization works differently, in that it always has the most recent version of your files. All of your machines that are synchronized will have the most recent version, not any past versions of the file. You should still do backups of your files, and not expect iFolder to be your backup solution.