Backup My Data - What, Me Worry?

You MUST backup your computer! Everyone says that and it certainly makes sense.




The problem is, it is a hassle to do and very few of us actually do backups with enough regularity to be very helpful.



If you backup once a month or, even worse, only when you happen to think about it, then you may be missing volumes of data that you have stored in between backup sessions.



Whether it's contact information, business documents, financial contracts, customer databases, or photos of the kids and their videos, it's all important stuff and the ephemeral nature of stored data means you absolutely need a backup plan.



So many everyday life events can cause a data disaster: computer theft, coffee spill, and viruses, to name a few.



How often should you backup?



Well, if you use your computer for your work, you need to back up your work every day. Anything less is close to worthless because recreating even the work from one 8 hour period is close to impossible, given the work starts anew the next day.



What's the best way to backup data?



The best solution is to automate the process and use an online backup service like Mozy, Elephant Drive, or Sugar Sync.



While there are a number of hard drives out there that are plug and play, you still have to remember to do the backup.



I have had such a hard drive and although the software will warn you that you haven't backed up in a week, etc., it still requires you to take additional action to make it happen - that is, you have to have the device nearby and plug it in your darned computer.



That seems simple, but therein lies the problem with that system - if the hard media is close at hand and easy to use, it is no longer a viable backup because it can be lost, stolen, drenched with coffee, etc.



Bottom-line is, backing up your data continuously is the ultimate plan of action and the smartest way to accomplish that is by using an online backup service.



Roger G. Brown is data backup and security expert. He has significant experience in helping individuals and small businesses make cost-effective decisions about data backup and storage. If you want to learn how to avoid losing your data, check out Roger's website at http://www.onlinebackupstoragereviews.com.


By Roger G Brown