Technology
How does the cloud work?
The cloud works by letting you store data and run programs on powerful remote computers over the internet, instead of on your own device. Companies run huge data centers, and you rent a slice of their computing power and storage on demand.
See it in motion.
Watch a 2-minute animated lesson that shows exactly how the cloud works.
Step by step
- 1Your data and apps live on remote servers in data centers.
- 2You access them over the internet from any device.
- 3Providers maintain the hardware; you rent what you need.
- 4It scales up or down instantly with demand.
- 5Examples: cloud storage, streaming, and web apps.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is 'the cloud' actually?
- In data centers — large buildings full of servers run by providers — that you reach over the internet from anywhere.
- Why do companies use the cloud?
- They rent computing and storage on demand instead of buying and maintaining their own hardware, scaling instantly and paying for what they use.
- Is the cloud safe?
- Reputable providers encrypt and back up data heavily, but security also depends on your own passwords and settings.