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Data loss is inevitable

Data loss is not an if. It’s a when. Files get corrupted, hard drives fail. And from spilled lattes to floods and fires, your computer is susceptible to physical disasters. Then there’s the threat of viruses, hackers, and cybercriminals.

When disaster hits, backups become priceless.

Data loss is painful

It’s difficult to put a dollar figure on your digital photos, on the hours spent bookmarking Web sites, or on the effort put into editing the perfect home movie. Some things you simply cannot replace.

You can, however, put a real figure on all the files you’ve purchased. Digital downloads cost you hard-earned cash. In very measurable terms, losing data can cost you.

Then there’s the cost in terms of time and inconvenience. Recovering your operating system, reinstalling software, and trying to restore lost files takes time and causes headaches.

Backups are painless

Setting up regular backups takes time and effort. You need to find and organize your files, select a backup medium, and choose the right tools for your situation. However, once you’ve done the initial groundwork, a good tool will pretty much do the rest.

Backup tips

Get organized - First, inventory of all your computers, pen drives, floppy disks, and anyplace else you store information. Then, consolidate your data on as few devices as practical. The more centralized and well-organized your files are, the easier it will be to make sure they all get backed up. Once you’ve organized and accounted for all your data, think about how you want to accomplish your backups.

Pick a location - One of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make is where to store your backups. Options include external hard drives, pen drives, CDs, or renting space from ISPs for online backups. There are pros and cons to each approach, and the best location depends on your circumstances.

While pen drives are handy and easy to store at a separate location, they have limited space and can be easily lost. External drives offer massive space, but they’re bulky and impractical to store offsite. The online option takes up zero physical space, but you will have to find a provider you trust, and you’ll probably have to pay a fee for the space. However, online backups are becoming more common, and some backup tools now provide secure online space as part of the package.

Find a good tool - While you can back up your computers manually, a good tool can make it almost effortless. Many tools will run automatically. For example, you could schedule your backups to occur overnight or while you’re at work.

You’ll also want a tool that backs up to the kind of media you’ve chosen—be it an external drive, a local network location, or online space. It’s best to use a flexible tool that backs up to multiple kinds of media. That way, should your needs change, your tool can adapt to your new circumstances.

Finally, some backup tools also assist with disaster recovery, restoring your system and files even when your operating system won’t start up. The best tools have all these features, and given how much time they save, they’re worth every penny.

Conclusion

When it comes to backups, the risk-benefit analysis is clear. Data loss can be devastating, while preventing data loss is quick and easy. Start backing up today, because tomorrow could be too late.

Related Links

• Product: Norton Utilities
• Product: Norton 360