| The subject of computer backups has always been a | | | | Manual copying onto external devices. You can |
| topic of importance when it comes to preserving the | | | | always resort to the old stand-by method of backing |
| data on your computer. These days there are more | | | | up by manually copying your data onto an external |
| options available to you in this arena, which can be | | | | hard drive, USB memory stick or other external |
| both a help and a hindrance. On one hand, having | | | | device such as a recordable CD, DVD or even a |
| more options is helpful because better solutions have | | | | floppy drive if you have one. This is cumbersome, |
| been brought to the marketplace from which you | | | | but if you do not have a lot of files, it may be an |
| can now choose to fit your needs. A hindrance exists | | | | acceptable solution for you. The pitfalls with this |
| in that the multitude of choices might scare off users | | | | method are that if you have multiple files, you have |
| and cause them to avoid the issue altogether, which | | | | to make sure you get all of them, and you may |
| can have a disastrous ending. | | | | need numerous target media to save all of your files |
| It does not have to be complicated nor time | | | | to. |
| consuming, so there is no good reason not to tackle | | | | Online options for backing up over the Internet. The |
| backing up your computer. | | | | newest option in computer data backup solutions is |
| The Philosophy | | | | provided by online companies that enable backup and |
| We all know that backing up can preserve the | | | | restoration of your documents and files over an |
| information that is stored on your computer, but how | | | | encrypted high-speed Internet connection to any PC. |
| far do you take your backup philosophy? It depends | | | | A small background application backs up and transfers |
| on what you can 'afford' to lose. | | | | your files to a hosted storage area in a remote |
| To one computer user, just backing up periodically will | | | | datacenter when your computer is idle; however, this |
| suffice. The thought here is that if you lose your | | | | is not a comprehensive disaster recovery solution for |
| data, you can restore it apart from your operating | | | | your entire hard drive. This solution works best when |
| system, and the time that this takes is not a critical | | | | targeted at protecting individual files and documents |
| consideration. Many home users fall into this category. | | | | on a PC or a Mac, and is generally a |
| It makes sense as long as you are not dependent | | | | subscription-based service for which you pay a |
| upon your computer for time-sensitive applications | | | | monthly fee for use. |
| and tasks and/or for accessing and retrieving data | | | | Making an image of your hard drive. This is a more |
| relative to finances, etc. | | | | comprehensive backup and disaster recovery solution |
| To another user this philosophy is not enough. Those | | | | generally performed by technically savvy computer |
| who depend on their data and computer for more | | | | users. This option includes using 3rd-party programs |
| than just casual personal computing understand that | | | | to make an image of your entire hard drive, which |
| if a hard drive fails, their business is down until they | | | | can then be "re-imaged" in case of catastrophic |
| can get it back up and running again. Home users | | | | failure to a new hard drive, providing a hard drive |
| who store irreplaceable photographs and home video | | | | disaster recovery plan. Using this solution, within a |
| on their computers will also fall into this category. A | | | | short period of time, you can be back up and running |
| more comprehensive backup plan is recommended to | | | | with ALL of your documents, settings, programs and |
| help recover from disasters in a timely fashion. | | | | EVERYTHING intact, as if the disaster never |
| Computer Backup Options | | | | occurred. |
| There are several ways to tackle backups of your | | | | The way to determine the best solution to fit your |
| important data: | | | | needs is to ask yourself how soon you need to be |
| Built-in operating system options. Microsoft Windows | | | | back up and running after encountering a disaster, |
| operating systems provide built-in back up capabilities | | | | and how much you are willing to pay. If you can wait |
| that allows you to back up your documents or files | | | | several days, then a computer back up program |
| onto external media. Beginning with Windows XP and | | | | might be right for you. If you need your data files |
| its Automated System Recovery feature, each | | | | immediately, and you have a second computer that |
| successive Microsoft desktop operating system | | | | you can copy them to, then an online solution might |
| includes the capability to help recover your entire | | | | be the best way to go. Or finally, if your business |
| hard drive if necessary. These backup solutions are | | | | depends upon your computer and its applications and |
| reliable and provide a built-in way for you to back up | | | | data, then you must have a more comprehensive |
| your data without having to buy an additional | | | | solution. |
| program to do so. | | | | |