| For many of us, our computer has become a | | | | require a large amount of storage and can |
| critical part of our life. We use them for | | | | take a long time. The critical things to |
| working, entertainment and corresponding with | | | | backup are all the files you have created and |
| people we know. Over the course of time, most | | | | any software that cannot be replaced. |
| people create a number of files that are | | | | Financial records, word processing documents, |
| important to them and would cost time, money | | | | legal files - the list goes on and on. |
| or both if they were lost. Data backups are | | | | |
| the most effective way to make sure you won't | | | | But backups needn't be. |
| lose those important files. | | | | |
| | | | The easiest system for backing up your data |
| Don't make the mistake of believing that | | | | is to just use the software that's included |
| backups are only for computer geeks or large | | | | with most modern operating systems. Windows, |
| corporations, or a task that can be performed | | | | Mac OS X, and Linux all include quite capable |
| 'when I get around to it'. On the contrary, | | | | backup software. You just need to select the |
| backups are a necessity for everyone. Even if | | | | files and folders you want to backup and get |
| your computer has been running reliably for | | | | it started. Many of these programs will even |
| years, it will fail one day - either through | | | | let you schedule the backup to run at a time |
| virus attack, user error or just age. | | | | you won't be using your computer. |
| | | | |
| When that happens, you'll be faced with one | | | | If you want something with more features, |
| of two things. On one hand, you'll have a | | | | there are plenty of programs you can |
| backup of all your critical information and | | | | purchase. These paid versions often include |
| can restore it all back onto your repaired | | | | additional features, such as the ability to |
| computer or a new replacement. On the other | | | | backup only the files that have changed since |
| hand, you'll lose the financial information, | | | | the last backup was done. |
| music, digital photos and all the other | | | | |
| important files on your computer. | | | | Some data, such as e-mails are only slightly |
| | | | more difficult to protect. Some e-mail |
| There are a number of things that can cause | | | | clients can be configured to keep copies of |
| data loss. There's the obvious hardware | | | | received and sent e-mails on the e-mail |
| failures, where something in the computer | | | | server. When that's not an option, most can |
| breaks down but there are also things such as | | | | export messages to a file, which can then be |
| floods, fires or even your dog bumping the | | | | backed up. |
| power off button at the wrong moment. You | | | | |
| could also be the victim of a virus or | | | | You can backup your information to almost any |
| spyware that wipes out all your files. | | | | kind of removable media - removable hard |
| | | | drives, writable CDs or DVDs or even the USB |
| Having that data stored in a backup is often | | | | memory sticks that are so common these days. |
| the only way to get it back. And even if it | | | | In a pinch you may even be able to fall back |
| can be recovered by a data recovery service, | | | | on the old floppy disk. Documents don't take |
| it can cost thousands of dollars for them to | | | | a lot of space and often fit into a small |
| do the work. | | | | storage area. |
| | | | |
| What to Backup? | | | | Daily backups are one more thing to do in a |
| | | | busy schedule. But the day you lose that file |
| Most people don't actually have to backup | | | | you need and can't restore, you're going to |
| every single file on their computer. This can | | | | be a whole lot busier. |