| Back up—you probably have heard or read about | | | | micro-DV tape, and travan. Among the three, DAT |
| it a gazillion times before. But have you ever | | | | drives are the most reliable with a capacity of 80GB. |
| bothered to back up your computer files? Even if | | | | DAT drives are ideal for small businesses that seek |
| you have the most reliable computer system around | | | | protection and security for their business data. |
| (with powerful anti-virus and anti-spyware programs | | | | However, DAT drives need to be kept clean and |
| to boot), your precious files may be gone sooner | | | | well-functioning as they deteriorate after long periods |
| than you think. So keep your important files | | | | of use. |
| protected by backing them up regularly. | | | | 5. Online data backup |
| The best time to back up your files and documents | | | | These days, an increasingly popular option for |
| is now. You can choose from a wide variety of | | | | computer data storage is online data backup. The |
| backup computer data options available that can | | | | Internet has made it possible for companies to store |
| keep duplicate versions of your files. You can access | | | | their critical data on a remote server. Online data |
| your backup files in case you lose the original ones. | | | | backup works by installing in a computer a software |
| 1. CD-RW disk drive | | | | program configured to back up certain computer |
| Floppy disks have become a thing of the past. What | | | | data. Through Internet connection, the online backup |
| replaced them as basic storage media are the | | | | service automatically delivers files to safe remote |
| rewritable CDs, which are the most accessible and | | | | data servers. |
| most affordable among storage devices available | | | | An online backup service is the best data storage |
| today. A CD can hold data up to 700MB, which is | | | | option for companies seeking to protect files and |
| enough to store a number of files. However, because | | | | documents that are crucial to their business |
| of space limitations, it’s impossible to perform a | | | | operations. It is a time-efficient, cost-efficient, and |
| complete system backup using a CD-RW. | | | | safe way to back up important files. Rather than buy |
| 2. DVD-RW disk drive | | | | multiple, expensive storage media and back up data |
| Rewritable DVDs are similar to CDs, except for their | | | | every now and then, you can count on an online |
| bigger storage capacity. Most DVDs can store up to | | | | data backup service to regularly save your files on its |
| more than 4GB of data. Double-layer DVDs even | | | | remote data center. With this service, privacy issues, |
| have an 8.5GB storage capacity. | | | | errors, and device faults are eliminated. What’s |
| 3. USB flash drives | | | | more, it is easy and quick to retrieve your needed |
| Flash drives are very handy and convenient to use. | | | | files from any computer. |
| With sizes as small as a thumb, flash drives can fit | | | | To make your business stay on top of the game, |
| even the smallest pockets. Flash drives have more | | | | you have to make sure that your files are well |
| storage space than CDs and DVDs, holding up to | | | | protected. A lot of backup computer data options |
| 32GB of data. A lot of flash drives nowadays come | | | | are available, but you have to choose the best. With |
| in fancy and themed designs. | | | | this in mind, consider using an online backup service |
| 4. Tape drive | | | | to prevent losing your valuable business files. |
| The most common types of tape drives are DAT, | | | | |