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While backups might seem like a tedious task, having a current backup is the
best preventive 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.
Which data are important? System software and software applications can be
re-installed from their original disks. Primarily, 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 ways to back up your computer:
- Burning CDs or DVDs.
- Mirroring or synching files to an external hard drive.
- Using a network backup service.
- Using a Zip drive.
- Backing up on a tape drive.
Points to consider:
- Using CDs, DVDs, Zip disk, or an external hard drive to back up files
requires consistent effort and a detailed labeling system.
- Using back-up software helps to automate the process by allowing
scheduling; the program keeps track of what needs to be backed up.
- Centralized back-up 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.
- We do not recommend using a USB key for reliable storage of files. You can
use these to transfer a file from one device to another, but do not depend on
having a copy of an important file on that device. They wear out and break
frequently.
For more information related to this topic, see:
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