There’s no feeling more dreadful than working on a project for days or weeks on end only to see it vanish before your very eyes. Computer problems happen. And when they do happen, it can sometimes result in your files becoming compromised. Because you can’t always predict when an issue will occur with your device, it’s crucial that you take the lead and protect your files as best as possible. And the best way to protect them? Back them up.
But what exactly does that mean and how should you be backing up your files? Tech experts tell us why you should always back up your data — plus, how to do it.
Why are data backups necessary?
So, for starters, why is it even important to go through the trouble of backing up your data? Simple: a minor occurrence is sufficient to erase your crucial data, says Max Whiteside, SEO & content lead at Breaking Muscle.
“Always adhere to data security best practices, which begin with data backup,” Whiteside says. “Always save at least one copy of your data on a separate storage device or in the cloud. You can copy your files manually or automate the backup process using a variety of backup applications. Additionally, the frequency of backups is essential. You can determine the backup frequency based on the significance of the data or the rate at which new files are added to the system.”
And remember, Whiteside notes, to keep Stellar Data Recovery Standard or other DIY Data Recovery software ready.
“Without a backup, the software facilitates the quick recovery of lost and erased data,” Whiteside says. “Therefore, don’t wait till a data loss crisis occurs; take frequent backups and incorporate data recovery software to provide a dependable data recovery plan.”
How do you back up your data?
Stavros Zavrakas, founder of Orthogonality, stresses too that in this age of technology, with the increased penetration of smart phone usage and online methodology becoming the new norm, regular data backups are essential. “Just like a few decades ago, everyone would keep extra photocopies of important documents in case the original got misplaced,” Zavrakas says.
There’s no doubt that a data backup would save essential files from getting lost in case of physical theft, hard-drive failures, system crashes, or any destruction caused due to natural or man-made disasters. But how should you actually back up your files?
“The most common backup options include storing data over a USB, external hard drive, cloud backup, or acquiring backup services – which depends on how much data you employ and need to store,” Zavrakas says. “I use a cloud backup application – OneDrive, which removes the need to make manual copies. You choose the data you wish to backup, its location, and how often you wish the backups to take place, and then it becomes an automatic process where you no longer have to worry.
This is how I set up my OneDrive as a backup on my Windows:Settings > Update & Security> Backup > Add a drive.”
However you choose to back up your files, it’s clear to see why the need is there. Take these steps sooner rather than later to protect your most important docs, videos, and other personal and business files.
