Securing Your Data: Have a Backup Plan

For total protection from accidental damage, choose Consumer Priority Service extended warranty plans. Data security is a prime issue especially in current times where the Internet presents a world of unexpected threats to stored information and data privacy. This makes data backup and recovery a significant part of any PC user’s maintenance repertoire.

Why Backup Data
To begin with data backups ensures that stored information remain safe in case of hardware failure or software malfunction. In addition, having copies of important files can be a great time saver in cases where spontaneous file corruption happens unexpectedly or when data entered are lost owing to power shutdown or interrupted supply. Hard drives are not designed to last forever, and even the most encrypted files can be breached. The need for backups have been discussed at length by many experts, and with a range of data storage options available most users are spoiled for choice.

Setting Up a Backup Strategy
If you wish to ensure optimal data protection, it is paramount that you establish a data backup strategy well before you anticipate data loss. The first step is to identify specific files of which copies need to be created, including crucial business files and important media. It is vital that you create a regular schedule for data archiving. While duplicating media and standalone documents is relatively uncomplicated, the best approach to backup files that are frequently modified data is to store all files to be regularly copied within a recognizable folder structure. This includes accounting files and spreadsheets as well as business correspondence that need to be saved for future reference. In addition, you could save application set-up files particularly if you travel a lot and may not have access to installation CDs and set-up disks.

Routine data duplication not only ensures data protection but also allows you to automate the process using backup software for onsite backups or subscribe to an off-site data backup service online. In the event that data loss is unavoidable users can choose to recover lost information using drive scanning software and undelete programs or opt for recovery services to restore files.

Backup Options
There are a range of storage devices on which you can create physical backups including CDs, floppy disks and thumb drives. Most users prefer to backup files and media on to external hard drives that are not only easily portable but offer much more space and memory support than regular CD Roms and DVD disks. External drives are also easy to plug and play, offer more stability and come with a range of connection options some of which offer Bluetooth support. You could also use online cloud-based backup or file sharing portals such as Dropbox to store media files and non-confidential documents and spreadsheets.

For business users looking for sustained backups that are reliable and long lasting, storage tapes are recommended although these can turn out to be pretty expensive in the long run. For higher-end users, storing backed up storage media can be useful, and a number of corporates store backed-up critical data in fire-proof security boxes. In addition to self-backups, online backup services may be a useful investment if you choose a reputable service that is well-maintained yet affordable. On the downside online backups may be impractical if you want a high level of data security and privacy.

The importance of data backups cannot be overemphasized and regular data duplication and storage can help keep your critical files handy and safe. Doing so protects you from a possible phishing scam or any other online scams that may be trying to harness your personal details.

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