← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Disadvantages of cloud storage

Problems with saving data online: no internet means no access, ongoing subscription fees, data held by a third party that could be hacked, and slow transfers of large files.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 3.3 Data Storage — Module 28

Understanding Disadvantages of cloud storage in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: The fee is charged repeatedly, so the yearly cost is the monthly fee multiplied by 12. This shows the ongoing cost. Transfer time grows as file size grows and shrinks as speed grows, so large files on slow connections take longer. Cloud storage needs an internet connection to access the data. No internet means no access. The data is held on servers owned by the provider, so you have to trust them to look after it. Data stored online can be attacked over the internet. A breach at the provider could expose many users' files. Because the provider holds your data, their problems become your problems. This is a risk of relying on a third party.

Common mistakes: With no internet connection, cloud files cannot be reached. The test should be internet = FALSE so the 'Cannot open files' message runs when there is no connection. A subscription is an ongoing cost that builds up each month. The line must add to the running total (total ← total + 5), not overwrite it with 5.

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Learning
Duo
You are on a long flight with no Wi-Fi. What happens to files that are stored only in the cloud?
You can open them as normal because cloud files are stored on your deviceYou cannot open them until you get an internet connection
Matches
Cloud data is on my own device, so only I can ever access it or hack it
↓
Cloud data is held by a third-party provider on their servers, so it could be hacked or accessed by others, not just the owner
Applying
Meanings
Term
cloud storage disadvantages
Meaning
Problems with saving data online: no internet means no access, ongoing subscription fees, data held by a third party that could be hacked, and slow transfers of large files.
Practice
No internet means no access to files
Testing
Gaps
IF connected = THEN
Check Answer
Spots
1internet ← FALSE
2IF internet = TRUE THEN

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Quick Questions

1. You are on a long flight with no Wi-Fi. What happens to files that are stored only in the cloud?
A. You cannot open them until you get an internet connection ✓
B. You can open them as normal because cloud files are stored on your device
Cloud storage needs an internet connection to access the data. No internet means no access.
2. Which cost is a disadvantage of cloud storage?
A. A subscription fee that keeps being charged for extra space ✓
B. A one-off payment that covers unlimited storage forever
Most providers charge a regular fee (monthly or yearly) once you go over the free storage limit, so the cost carries on.
3. Who controls the servers where your cloud data is held?
A. You, the customer
B. A third-party provider ✓
The data is held on servers owned by the provider, so you have to trust them to look after it.
4. Which is a security risk of cloud storage?
A. Hackers could break into the provider's servers or your account ✓
B. Data can only be read by someone sitting at the server
Data stored online can be attacked over the internet. A breach at the provider could expose many users' files.
5. You need to upload a 50 GB video on a slow broadband connection. What is the problem?
A. The upload will be instant because the cloud is fast
B. The upload will take a very long time ✓
Large files must travel over the internet, so transfer speed depends on your connection. Local storage would be much faster.

Match the Pairs

cloud storage disadvantages → Problems with saving data online, such as needing internet, ongoing fees, third-party security risks and slow transfers of large files
if internet = OFFLINE then files = NO ACCESS → Without an internet connection, a student cannot open or save files held in the cloud
Cloud storage usually has an ongoing subscription cost, so extra space is paid for every month → monthly_fee ← 2.99 * 12
Large files take a long time to upload or download over a slow internet connection → time ← file_size / connection_speed
Cloud data is on my own device, so only I can ever access it or hack it → Cloud data is held by a third-party provider on their servers, so it could be hacked or accessed by others, not just the owner
Cloud storage is always free and works without any internet → Cloud storage often needs a paid subscription for more space and always needs an internet connection to access the files

Key Term

cloud storage disadvantages
Problems with saving data online: no internet means no access, ongoing subscription fees, data held by a third party that could be hacked, and slow transfers of large files.

Fill in the Blanks

1. IF connected = FALSE THEN OUTPUT "No access to cloud files" ENDIF
Hint: Type the Boolean value that shows the device has no internet connection.
2. yearlyCost ← monthlyFee * 12 OUTPUT yearlyCost
Hint: Type the command that displays the ongoing subscription cost for the year.
3. IF breach = TRUE THEN OUTPUT "Provider data may be hacked" ENDIF
Hint: Type the keyword that starts the block of code to run when the condition is true.
4. IF fileSize > 5000 AND speed < 10 THEN OUTPUT "Upload will be slow" ENDIF
Hint: Type the logical keyword that needs both conditions (large file and slow connection) to be true.
5. IF fileSize > 5000 THEN OUTPUT "Large upload will be slow" ENDIF
Hint: Type the keyword that closes the selection statement.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A internet ← FALSE
B IF internet = TRUE THEN
C OUTPUT "Cannot open files"
D ENDIF
Line B — With no internet connection, cloud files cannot be reached. The test should be internet = FALSE so the 'Cannot open files' message runs when there is no connection.
Question 2
A total ← 0
B FOR month ← 1 TO 12
C total ← 5
D NEXT month
E OUTPUT total
Line C — A subscription is an ongoing cost that builds up each month. The line must add to the running total (total ← total + 5), not overwrite it with 5.
Question 3
A hacked = TRUE
B IF hacked = TRUE THEN
C OUTPUT "Data may be stolen"
D ENDIF
Line A — In IGCSE pseudocode a value is assigned to a variable with the ← arrow, not =. The line should be hacked ← TRUE.
Question 4
A cloudCost ← 5 * 12
B localCost ← 50
C IF cloudCost > localCost THEN
D OUTPUT "Cloud costs less"
E ENDIF
Line D — Cloud costs 5 * 12 = 60 a year, which is more than the one-off local cost of 50. The ongoing subscription makes cloud more expensive, so the message should say 'Cloud costs more'.
Question 5
A connected = False
B if not connected:
C print "No access"
Line C — In Python 3, print is a function, so its text must be inside brackets. It should be print("No access").

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