Set a Regular Schedule to Backup Your Files

Posted on November 17, 2005

Are you backing up those important computer files on a regular basis? If you are not then right now is a good time to start. At least implement a plan. A new website called Backup Awareness offers some tips to help you keep on a backup schedule.

Develop a backup schedule.
Back up your data daily or at minimum weekly.

Back up everything.
Today you can easily back up all of your hard drive data. No need to spend time sorting through every file or folder. Invest in a storage solution that's twice the size of your internal hard drive, to give your system room to grow.

Do it automatically.
Set it and forget it. Use a solution that's easy to set up and provides automatic backups.

Rotate backups.
Give yourself added protection incase of an earthquake, fire, flood, or theft. Use two drives and rotate one offsite.

Don't procrastinate.
Unfortunately, the need to back up data is often a lesson learned from a bitter experience. Don't let it happen to you. Protect yourself!

If you aren't backing up at all or not backing up your files on a regular basis you are not alone. A recent study by by Maxtor Corporation found that many Americans are flirting with digital disaster when it comes to a failure to back up their files. The poll of 2,299 adults, conducted by Harris Interactive in late July, found that 35% of U.S. adults never back up their files, and a 76% of those who do back up their files don't do it frequently. 44% of U.S. adult computer users overall said that they have lost important data or digital files stored on their computer or laptop, as a result of a computer virus, a hardware or software malfunction, or for some other reason.

Note: The Backup Awareness site is no longer available but that is no excuse to forget to do your regular backups!

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