You might not realise how vulnerable your midterm thesis or your digital vacation photos are until they’re wiped from your machine . Fortunately, preventing unexpected data loss is as simple as storing crucial information in multiple areas. Backing up data regularly ensures that personal documents, photos, and other important files are secure in the event of a technology meltdown. Follow these tips from The Geeks and you’ll rest easy.

Backup Methods

• Basic Software:? copies information to a different part of the hard drive for safekeeping.

• ADVANTAGE: Low or no cost

• DISADVANTAGE: If this hard drive fails, both copies of the data may be lost.
• Must copy manually

• Advanced Software:? transfers data to a separate type of media, such as a CD/DVD, external hard drive, USB Flash drive, or Mirra
• ADVANTAGE: Greater security if stored separately
• DISADVANTAGES: Cost of media
• Must copy manually

• Online (“Cloud”) Backup:? copies data to secure online storage areas
• ADVANTAGES: The most secure method
• Can access remotely
• Could be set up to auto save periodically
• DISADVANTAGE: Usually subscription cost

Backup Recommendations

• Create a checklist
• Document the files and folders to be saved. Back up the most important files first.

• Create a schedule
• Depending on how often your information is modified, repetition is important. Consumers may back up important information once a week. Small businesses may do so daily. Most backup software can be programmed to consistently backup automatically.

• Verify the backup
• Load information from the storage device back to the computer to ensure that the data copy is intact.

If you need help determining which options are best for you, a Geek can help. We can also provide a one-on-one computer backup training session.