Regular Data Backup
Is The Ultimate Safety Net
Develop a data recovery plan
You'll be mighty glad you have an up-to-date backup of all your important files in a safe place should the worst happen and a virus does break through your defences and plays havoc with your hard drive!
Backup Software
Critical Data
Grouping Files
Over Reliance
Recovering Lost Files
Storage
CA
Iomega
Webroot
Important files to back up include documents, photos, and of course your I-tunes collection. It's worth taking a little time to do some basic housekeeping and identify those files it would kill you to lose. They may be deeply personal, irreplaceable and/or critical to your business or profession. But it doesn't stop there. What about your contacts list? Your mailing list? Your invoices and online shopping receipts? Also, paperless billing is commonplace for utility providers, mobile phone statements, and so on. It's easy to let those bills languish in a folder in your email programme, or on your desktop. But if you lose those records and need new copies your provider may charge you for them.
Backup your critical data every day
You should aim to backup your critical data every day. Whatever operating system you are using, XP, Vista, Mac, or Linux, it's not that complicated to do. If our computer is less than five years old it should have some basic software to help you. In Vista it's the Backup and Restore Centre. Find it and use it. It will at least give you the option to back everything up to a partitioned section on your hard disk, but a small external hard drive may be a better solution.
Your important, critical files may not actually amount to more than a few gigabytes. You could probably store them all on a decent memory stick. But memory sticks are really only to be used as a temporary storage solution. And heaven forefend you should lose the stick!
Most memory is taken up by the system files, i.e. the programs and OS (Operating System) for your computer, and usually you'll have the system files already on discs so you shouldn't need to back these up seperately. That said, it is quite possible to completely back EVERYTHING up if you have the storage capacity, which might be a good idea if a day of reloading the OS and essential software fills you with dread!
Identify your critical files
and group them together
Start by identifying your critical files and group them together, in their various subfolders of course, in one folder called 'The Crucial Stuff', or some such thing. That way it's easy to simply drag that folder over to your external hard drive, or better still set things up to happen automatically.
Just a quick note to mention that you may have to disarm your firewall or antivirus software during this process - certainly during the first time you create a disc image. And the first time can take a lo-o-ong time! After that it's usually a breeze because your software only updates files that have been changed since the last time.
If you're running any kind of business you may need to go through this whole process several times a day. It's easy and convenient to automate the process with the right software.
A good
online backup service
may well be more time and cost-effective, and you can use it in addition to your physical storage to provide an extra layer of protection and flexibility.
It's too late! I've lost everything!
Don't panic! Even if you think some data has gone forever there is always a good chance that you can recover it if you approach the problem systematically. Disk Doctors offer expert advice and solutions about how to recover everything from deleted ipod files to lost ntfs partitions and much, much more. This excellent site offers advice on Windows, Mac, Linux, XFS, and Unix Data Recovery in French, Italian, Spanish and German as well as English.
Backup Software
Your proprietary data backup and restore software will do the job, so don't think you have to invest in additional software.However, if you want something a little more sophisticated there are several good products worth a look.
CA Backup and Migration 2009
CA Backup and Migration 2009. CA Backup and Migration helps ensure your important files, photos, music, and PC settings are safe, by letting you quickly and easily back them up, restore them, or transfer them to a new PC.
The package supports up to 3 PCs for $39.99 per year.
Click here to visit the CA Resource Center to download your FREE trial version.
offers an ideal solution for the home user looking for a simple and friendly way to back up personal data to a safe location and be able to retrieve them easily.
Back up your photos, media, email and personal files and folders effortlessly and keep in a secure location and recover your data in an instant. Perform a complete back up of your system (Disaster Recovery) or simply back up only your personal data.
Webroot Secure Backup
Webroot Secure Back up - UK OnlyWebroot - UK Homepage
Webroot Secure Back up protects your digital photos and other priceless files against virtually any cause of damage or loss such as hard drive crashes, fire, theft and accidental deletion.
Automatically back up your files every month, week, day or hour; even run continuous backups to save every change to a file as it's made. You never have to remember to back up your files again.
Webroot offers great value with this product compared against other Back up providers. It's a complete file protection solution from a trusted name in security. In a side-by-side comparison with similar products, Webroot Secure Back up offers distinct advantages including: Integrated online AND local backup. Most back up products allow you to back up your files either online or to a local disk. Here you get both! In addition to backing up online, you can also back up larger or less critical files to local media such as CD-Rs, DVD-Rs and external hard disks.
Protect up to 3 PCs. Even if your files are spread across multiple PCs, Webroot Secure Back up backs them up to your online account for one LOW price. Sharing files is extremely straightforward.If you want to share a photo or video without attaching it to an e-mail, you can simply email a download link. Built-in security ensures the recipient can only see the file you choose. Most online backup products don’t offer this feature at all!
As you might expect you can access your files from anywhere. If you're traveling or forget a file at home, Webroot Secure Back up provides access to your online backups from any PC with an Internet connection, so you can get the file you need no matter where you are.
Webroot's three-tier encryption system protects your privacy so your backed up files cannot be accessed without your password. Files are encrypted on your PC before they are sent to a Webroot datacenter via a highly-secure connection. Files are then encrypted again for storage on our servers behind layers of electronic and physical security.
In addition, Webroot stores every file you back up at redundant datacenters in different geographic areas to ensure they are always safe and available to you no matter what happens.Easy to Use Simply select a local or online backup, choose your files and frequency, and you’re done! Webroot Secure Back up runs in the background so your files are protected without interrupting your PC activity; even files that are open and in use are quietly and safely backed up.
Annual Fee 2 GB £14.95
5 GB £19.95
10 GB £24.95
25 GB £34.95
50 GB £49.95
You can try 2GB of back up FREE for 30 days!
UK Only. Follow the link below to the HOMEPAGE, then click on Home Internet Security... On the next page click on the 'Webroot Secure Backup' logo.
Webroot - UK Homepage
Beware of over reliance on any one method.
Don't just rely on one storage method. As we already mentioned memory sticks are great for temporary storage, transporting files and so on, but they are easily misplaced or damaged. You should also consider backing-up to another hard drive, zip drive, or server and possibly using an
online storage service
if your budget will allow.
When backing up to memory sticks or cards, zip drives, CD, DVD or tape storage media, make sure they're kept in a safe and secure place, preferably away from your computer. They may hold detailed information about you and your clients which could be damaging in the wrong hands.
Apart from guarding against the impact of hackers, viruses, malicious software, and accidental data removal, a realistic PC backup plan can help protect you if your PC is stolen, or damaged in a fire or flood. Without wishing to sound like your grandmother, plan for the worst and hope for the best!
Storage
Iomega Deal of the Day. New deals Everyday
Iomega Corporation is a worldwide leader in innovative storage and network security solutions for small to mid-sized businesses, home consumers, and people on the move. Iomega has sold more than 400 million digital storage drives and disks since its inception in 1980.
Iomega Rebates and Special Offers
Best-known for the blockbuster Zip drive, Iomega is a household name for innovative and affordable digital storage. From photos and downloaded music to electronic tax returns, we all need more space for more stuff. Iomega offers an impressive selection of easy-to-use backup software and drives to protect any kind of digital data.
Iomega External hard drives - Low price, high quality storage!
Digital photographers are well catered for with up to 1TB of affordable storage, customers can store and protect all their precious pictures!
Video gamers can play music and other digital media through their game console with Iomega’s eyecatching new Media Xporter – designed to work with Xbox360 and PS3.
Home theaters are popping up in living rooms everywhere, and with Iomega’s ScreenPlay drives you can easily play HD content from the internet without a computer.
For the mobile user Iomega’s stylish portable eGo drives are available in many cool colors!
From the easy-to-use Home Network Drive to the high-end RAID backup systems, Iomega has a great selection of always-available, ultra-reliable storage for the home office or small business.
Plus FREE shipping on all Iomega orders over $150
Hard Drive Rebates from Iomega If you're situated in mainland US you can take advantage of some stunning rebate offers on Iomega products such as a $160 instant rebate on the 750GB USB/FireWire Desktop Hard Drive (SKU# 33657).
Was $259.95 - Now $99.95.
(Offer valid for a limited time. Limited quantities. While supplies last.)
Go to the Iomega Factory Outlet for some excellent deals.
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