Why do I need to back up?

Computer files are fragile electronic bits stored on magnetic disks. Any number of events could wipe out a single file, or all files of a certain type, or every file stored on your system.

If you back up a file to another disk (or another storage medium) as soon as you create it, you can quickly and easily restore lost or damaged files. If the files aren’t backed up, they may be gone forever.

How does data loss occur?

Data loss can happen in a number of different ways—some rare, some routine.

• Files can become corrupted or be accidentally deleted in the normal course of a work day.
• Catastrophic events such as a system crash, a hard drive failure, or a power surge can wipe out all the files stored on your PC.
• Physical disasters are always a threat: It could be a catastrophe such as a fire, flood, theft, or loss. Or it could be something as simple as a dropped laptop or a spilled drink.
• Computer worms, viruses, and other malicious software planted by hackers and cybercriminals could destroy a single file, all files of a certain type, or your entire system.

How can I set up an automatic backup schedule?

A good backup solution will lead you through the setup process and let you choose options such as the following:

• Back up all files of a certain type (for example, JPEG images or MP3 audio files).
• Back up files every time they change.
• Back up every new file you create or download.
• Automatically back up all specified files or file types, or all your stored files, at regular intervals.
• Back up to an external drive, local network location, or online storage.

Where should I back up?

The best choice for routine backups is an external USB drive that’s always connected. At current prices, you can get a terabyte of storage—one thousand gigabytes—for about a hundred dollars.

For convenience or for added protection, you may want to back up to an offsite location. Many backup solutions and Internet Service Providers offer online storage, or you can purchase storage from a third-party provider such as Mozy or Carbonite.

For irreplaceable files that you want to keep permanently—for example, photographs or MP3s—you can back up to CDs, DVDs, or a hard drive, then store the backups offsite, or at least away from your computer.

Does Symantec have a solution for backup and file recovery?

Yes. The automatic backup tools found in Norton 360™ from Symantec make it easy to:

• Back up automatically on certain events and schedules
• Back up to a secured online storage site
• Restore damaged or deleted files and folders

Additional tools found in Norton™ Save & Restore include:

• The ability to recover your system and data even when you can’t restart your operating system
• The ability to automatically monitor and optimize backup disk space
• Encryption to help keep backups secure and private

Norton™ Online Backup provides an easy, comprehensive backup solution that’s especially convenient for people who use PCs at multiple locations, or who use multiple PCs. It provides the following benefits:

• Delivers automatic backup protection for your files
• Lets you access and restore files from any Web-enabled PC
• Allows you to conveniently manage backup sets for multiple PCs through a secured Web portal
• Guards your data with ultra-secured, government-grade encryption