| One of the most dreaded tasks of computer users | | | | data. These sites are actually better defined as |
| everywhere, is the necessity to back up hard drive | | | | backup service sites rather than software. Regardless |
| data. Many may not think it is necessary to have | | | | if a file, picture, or an entire collection is missing from |
| current backup data available, or maybe they think | | | | a hard drive or damaged, these items can easily be |
| data loss will not happen to them. However, if one | | | | restored by most users. |
| has ever had a computer lost or stolen, a hard drive | | | | The backup service installs a small program file on the |
| crash or a major program or file loss, the regret is | | | | computer that is to be backed up. The user runs the |
| immediate. The daunting task of backing up valuable | | | | program and sets it up initially to back up the desired |
| files suddenly seems like a small price to pay | | | | files. Some services can be set to automatically back |
| compared to losing all pictures, music, emails, | | | | up changed files, while others require manual |
| documents, and more. | | | | intervention to maintain current data. The |
| The backup method most have used throughout the | | | | recommendation is to choose a backup service that |
| years, involved a back up program that resides on | | | | automatically updates files as changes occur. This |
| the hard drive and backs up data to CD's, DVD's, | | | | way the backups are totally automated, always |
| tapes, or other removable hardware. One problem | | | | contain the most up to date files, and do not require |
| with many of these mediums is that it takes many | | | | additional attention from the user. |
| such items to back up important files. Another issue | | | | Even for the home computer user, it is strongly |
| is that one must remember and take the time to | | | | recommended to use an online solution to back up |
| back up changed files on a regular basis. The next | | | | valuable data. These sites are secure and because |
| problem in using removable backup storage is that it | | | | they are offsite, the data can be available from any |
| is difficult to restore data once it is lost. Finding the | | | | computer. This makes it easy and convenient to |
| files needed to restore can be a challenge in itself. | | | | restore data, rather it is to the same computer, or a |
| The average computer user may not have the | | | | new or different system. |
| knowledge or skills necessary to restore the data. | | | | Most all computer users will agree that the piece of |
| The New Age of Data Backup | | | | mind provided by online backup services is well worth |
| Today, another backup method with offsite storage | | | | the cost. |
| is the easiest and safest way to backup and restore | | | | |