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While backups might seem like an unnecessary or tedious task, having a
current backup is the best preventative measure you can take against any
computer disaster. If a file is accidentally deleted or your computer suffers a
hardware problem or is stolen, your data is safe and can be restored.
What data is important? System software and software applications can often
be re-installed from their original disks or downloaded, so they do not
need to be backed up. It is the documents that you have created or acquired
that would be difficult and time consuming (or in some cases, impossible) to
recreate or re-acquire.
There are many different methods to back up your computer:
- Burning CDs or DVDs.
- Copying files to a USB drive.
- Mirroring or synching files to an external hard drive.
- Using a network backup service.
- Backing up on a tape drive.
Points to consider:
- Geographical and methodological diversity is very important to any backup
scheme. You should have a copy of your backup in more than one
place (a copy at home and at school), and on more than one device
(external hard drives and flash drives can fail, DVDs can get scratched).
- Using CDs, DVDs, or an external hard drive to back up files requires
consistent effort and a detailed labeling system, but can provide archival
storage.
- Using backup software helps to automate the process by allowing scheduling;
the program keeps track of what needs to be backed up. Some programs may cost
money; others, such as Time Machine, are free with the appropriate operating
system, but will require additional devices (external hard disks).
- Centralized backup services over the network are automated and keep track
of when and what files need to be backed up. The backups are not in the same
place as your computer, so if there is a fire, flood, or theft, your data is
backed up and safely stored in a different location. However, you can only back
up your data when your computer is connected to the campus network.
For more information related to this topic, see:
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