What to Think About Before Backing Up Your Data
For many people backing up data is a chore that they can do without. It is only when they lose their data, and can't recover it, that they realize they should have backed up their data. With everyone having more data stored on their computers, it is very important that everyone stop and think about how they would like to protect their information.
When you decide to store your data, it is important to stop and think about how you would like to go about doing it. A good backup solution involves the ability to save and restore all your data easily, and effectively. Let's take a look at some thoughts about saving your data.
How much storage space will you need? This is an important point as it can determine where your data will be stored. If you have a lot of digital photos, then chances are you have GB (gigabytes) of data, and CDs just won't cut it. You will probably need at least an external hard drive and possibly many DVDs. An external hard drive is always a good choice as you can get over a TB (terabyte) of data for a good price. You may also want to use DVDs as they allow you to transport your data offsite, which brings me to my next question.
Where will your data be stored? You will want to create a backup plan that stores a copy of your data offsite, meaning away from the building that has your computer. If something ever happened to the building housing your computer, you don't want your backup to be destroyed too. Options for this include DVDs, a second external hard drive, or an online backup service. For even better backups, go with at least two options.
Do you store personal information that needs security? Many of you may need to save personal data, such as financial or banking information. In this case you would need a solution that also encrypts your data. There are many programs that can encrypt your data to keep it safe. Most, if not all, online backup solutions also encrypt your data on your computer, and sends your data to their server over a secure SSL connection. From there, your data is stored encrypted so no one but you can read it.
Can your data be restored easily? A good storage system also needs a good restore system. Your backup solution is not good if you can't get your data back. As you plan your solution, go through the process of restoring the data to verify it can easily be retrieved. If you backup online, verify that the restore process is fast and error-free. For DVD backups, verify the data on the DVDs every month, or couple of months, to ensure the data is still readable. For hard drives, check to make sure there are no hardware issues.
How long before you update storage devices? By this question I mean, how long do you think it will be before you move your information to another medium? All media that store data has a certain lifespan, so that means it will need to be replaced. Backup services such as those found online will automatically update for your, but if you use DVDs or external hard drives, you may need to do this every few years to ensure your data remains intact.
Your data backup solution that you choose must work for you. Everyone will have their own method of saving their data, and you should choose one that works best for you.
Computer backups are an important part of securing your data. Without planning and implementing a good backup solution, then you could lose your data in the blink of an eye. Paul provides information on various data backup solutions.
When you decide to store your data, it is important to stop and think about how you would like to go about doing it. A good backup solution involves the ability to save and restore all your data easily, and effectively. Let's take a look at some thoughts about saving your data.
How much storage space will you need? This is an important point as it can determine where your data will be stored. If you have a lot of digital photos, then chances are you have GB (gigabytes) of data, and CDs just won't cut it. You will probably need at least an external hard drive and possibly many DVDs. An external hard drive is always a good choice as you can get over a TB (terabyte) of data for a good price. You may also want to use DVDs as they allow you to transport your data offsite, which brings me to my next question.
Where will your data be stored? You will want to create a backup plan that stores a copy of your data offsite, meaning away from the building that has your computer. If something ever happened to the building housing your computer, you don't want your backup to be destroyed too. Options for this include DVDs, a second external hard drive, or an online backup service. For even better backups, go with at least two options.
Do you store personal information that needs security? Many of you may need to save personal data, such as financial or banking information. In this case you would need a solution that also encrypts your data. There are many programs that can encrypt your data to keep it safe. Most, if not all, online backup solutions also encrypt your data on your computer, and sends your data to their server over a secure SSL connection. From there, your data is stored encrypted so no one but you can read it.
Can your data be restored easily? A good storage system also needs a good restore system. Your backup solution is not good if you can't get your data back. As you plan your solution, go through the process of restoring the data to verify it can easily be retrieved. If you backup online, verify that the restore process is fast and error-free. For DVD backups, verify the data on the DVDs every month, or couple of months, to ensure the data is still readable. For hard drives, check to make sure there are no hardware issues.
How long before you update storage devices? By this question I mean, how long do you think it will be before you move your information to another medium? All media that store data has a certain lifespan, so that means it will need to be replaced. Backup services such as those found online will automatically update for your, but if you use DVDs or external hard drives, you may need to do this every few years to ensure your data remains intact.
Your data backup solution that you choose must work for you. Everyone will have their own method of saving their data, and you should choose one that works best for you.
Computer backups are an important part of securing your data. Without planning and implementing a good backup solution, then you could lose your data in the blink of an eye. Paul provides information on various data backup solutions.
posted by ravi at
10:57 PM
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