The best methods for backing up your computer data
You’ll never fully appreciate why you should back up your data until your hard drive fails. You only tend to lose your data once. Then you set-up a sensible back-up procedure!
Backing up your personal data is your highest priority. This includes data such as photographs, home videos, music, documents and presentations etc. When your hard drive fails (and they all fail eventually) you will want to make sure that your family pictures are safe. You probably won’t be so devastated at the loss of your old programs – these can always be purchased.
Most backup programs make what is known as a ‘mirror image’ or ‘clone’ of your hard drive and retain all it’s information. But some – like Dropbox – are not automated and store pictures and videos etc. Just make sure you check to make sure.
Backing up into the cloud or online back-up
Firstly, it is essential that your back up storage device is kept separately from your computer. It’s not much use if it gets destroyed in the same fire or stolen in the same burglary.
I recommend both. But I would – I’m paranoid. However, if I had to select one I’d choose to back up into the internet. The servers that you back up onto there are also backed up! And therefore there is almost no chance of ever losing your data.
Also, it is quite simple to set-up an automated back-up. So, you don’t have to remember to do anything and the backup data is always current.
The only disadvantage of backing up to the cloud or online, is the speed. It can be very slow. In fact, the initial back-up could age you considerably. It’s best to set it to back up at night when you’re not at your computer. You can still work while the back-up takes place but it will suck the life from your bandwidth.
Generally, there is a monthly charge for an online backup service. This ranges from £3 per month to £10 per month.
My recommendations for online backup services:
- Mozy
- SugarSync
- Norton Online Backup
- Dropbox
- IBackup
- IDrive
- ElephantDrive
- MyOtherDrive
- SOS Online Backup
- Carbonite
Backing up to an external hard drive
If you’ve read any of my other articles, you’ll know how I bang on about networked storage devices and how easy they make your life. This will enable you to set up an automated back-up scheduler much like the online backup services.
If you only have a non networked external drive, then you’ll have to remember to back up your data. You should back up every day. But to be honest, this isn’t really realistic if you’re doing it yourself. Make a routine of it and do it every Friday before you go home or finish work. Or Saturday morning while watching Saturday Kitchen!
Most external drives come with backup software. Have a play with it. If you don’t like I recommend:
- Genie Backup Manager
- DT Utilities PC Backup
- NovaBACKUP
- Acronis True Image
- NTI Backup Now
- Acronis Backup & Recovery
- Norton Ghost
- PowerBackup
- TurboBackup
- Dmailer Backup
- Argentum Backup
They cost anywhere from £15 to £50.
Whether online or external hard drive, all the software and services listed know which files and folders need to be backed up and for the most part, they only back up files that have been created or changed since the last backup.
Finally
Sleep easy knowing that your data is safe and sound.
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