Backup Your Data

What methods are used for backing up data?

Tough question? Hard drives fail, computers get stolen, viruses destroy data and catastrophes can happen. Backing up your important data is an inexpensive form of insurance. Computers and applications can be replaced. Most data (documents, photographs, financial data, music, etc.) cannot be replaced. Good backup procedures include the following:

1. Backup often. (How much new stuff can you afford to lose?)
2. Use automatic backup if possible. (Because we tend to forget.)
3. Store backups off site. (Odds are against a catastrophe from happening in two places.)
4. Use more than one method. (Sometimes backups fail.)

1. Documents, Desktop, Favorites, Pictures, Music, and Videos folder for each user. Typically stored in "C:\Users\user name."
2. Financial data including Quicken or QuickBooks Typically stored in "C:\Users\user name." Quickbooks is now online or stored in the Public folder by default.
3. Email unless using web-based email such as Yahoo, Hotmail, AOL or Gmail. Outlook is typically stored in "C:\Users\user name\Documents\Outlook Files."
4. Possibly "Public" if that folder is used for data.
5. Any other data that you may need.