When did you last backup? Don’t build a brick wall around your data

We have all heard horror stories about computers crashing, owners that didn’t have their data backed up and the cost of trying to retrieve your data. In a recent survey, Press4Tech.com concluded that only about 4% of personal in-home computer users backup their data regularly and 30% of small business owners believe they backup regularly enough. So we must ask ourselves, why don’t we backup more often?

The reality is that it’s hard to do, it isn’t usually a problem until it’s a problem, and it really just takes too much time! With a few quick steps, we can eliminate many of the barriers and set up a method for regular backup.

1) Software based backup

One of the easiest options to configure and use is software backup. This is software designed to take the human element out of the mix. Many of these systems are schedule based, every hour or every evening, making a copy of the files you select on your system. Many software backup systems allow you to save a copy locally or to an external location. The best choice of location to backup to is an external location, in case disaster strikes and your entire computer hard drive is no longer accessible.

2) Hardware based backup

Hardware backup may be more complex then software backup to install, but it offers additional security and protection from losing your valued data. With hardware backup systems, your data is saved to a separate device. Sometimes this is a physically connected external hard drive, or a network attached storage device connected on your wifi or internet connection.

3) Hardware and Software

Many times hardware based backup systems come with an accompanying software system to aid in the automated moving of the files you are looking to back up. This is the optimal backup solution. When you create a new file or change an existing one, your system will know that a change has been made and initiate a sync of the files. That way, if you delete something accidentally, or your computer crashes, you may restore your files from the external storage device.

4)Scheduled manual backup

While not suggested, there is a fourth option to set a calendar reminder to backup your data. Upon receiving the reminder you could attach a storage device such as a “thumb drive” or external hard drive, manually copy that information that you want to protect, and then place that device in safe spot.

How can we help? Press4Tech has concluded through our study that this is a major problem that could cost thousands of dollars per year if you lose your data. We are offing FREE quarterly reminders. Call to sign up today to have one of our certified experts schedule your backup consultation so that we can suggest the right method.