How to reliably (and cheaply) store data?

True, I mean strictly from a security perspective, not from a "DropBox could go out of business overnight" perspective.

 

We are talking about backups here. So if the cloud storage goes under, I still have my original copies. Honestly I could care less if its not "secure". If someone wants to hack in and grab my "bullshit" off the cloud then fine. I keep my important docs on a few flash drives in my safe.

 

Yup, assuming you don't have anything you don't want leaked, cloud is very good.

By the way, NEVER trust flash drives with important data. It's simply not safe. One day you'll plug it in and it won't be recognized or will tell you it needs formatting. DVD, hard drive or tape. Something with a physical element to it. Better still, multiple formats!

 

^^^^ This. One day the controller on your USB flash drive will go nuts and all the data inside will be inaccessible. I've used USB flash drives to hold portable Linux OS installs and I've had some that have died out of thin air with no real reason or recourse. I use them for disposable or replaceable information only really.