Megaupload users can't get to their legal files

Yesterday's shutdown of file-sharing and storage service Megaupload has left many of its legitimate customers without access to legal content that they were storing on the site. Many of them are tweeting their distress, as TorrentFreak reports.

We don't yet know whether the Department of Justice will allow these users access to their digital property, and we'll follow the story until we find out. But as it appears now, they may be out of luck.

This situation underscores the need to backup your computer data to more than one resource. Whether you use an online service, an external hard drive, flash drives, or other method, don't assume that just one solution is sufficient: Nothing is foolproof, as Megaupload users are finding out.

And if you do opt for a cloud storage service, you probably should make sure the site doesn't also offer obviously pirated material for download. Because if it does, its days may be numbered.

For advice on what kinds of backup are available, check out our Computer backup system buying guide on ConsumerReports.org.

Feds, Please Return My Personal Files Stored at MegaUpload! [TorrentFreak]

—Carol Mangis