| Computers have become a daily need for most | | | | easiest and fastest way to do a backup is to use |
| people. We use computers for all types of things | | | | software that is included with the operating system. |
| including entertainment, work, and corresponding with | | | | Windows has a backup program that is free to use. |
| others. Most of the files on our computers are | | | | At the same time you can get similar backup |
| important and we don't want to risk losing them since | | | | programs for Linux, Mac, and other operating systems. |
| that would be a loss of money and time. The best | | | | This type of software is very simple to use and all you |
| way that you can prevent file loss is by doing | | | | have to do is choose which files you want to back up. |
| backups.Don't believe that backups are just for large | | | | Some programs even have a scheduler so that your |
| companies, computer experts, or a job that you'll do | | | | computer will do backups at certain times.For a small |
| when you have time for it. Backups are necessary for | | | | cost you can buy backup software that will back up |
| anyone who has a computer. One day your computer | | | | only those files which have been changed after a last |
| will fail, even if it has been running fine for many years. | | | | backup or a particular date. As well, you can copy |
| You'll eventually get a virus or your computer will fail | | | | new files every day to a backup folder where they will |
| from age.There are two things that will occur on the | | | | then be backed up by the program. You can use your |
| day your computer fails: (1) you'll lose great amounts of | | | | computer's "Search" option to identify which files are |
| music, passwords, financial and personal information, | | | | newer than a certain date. When the list has been |
| pictures, and software, or (2) you'll be able to replace | | | | completed they are copied to the backup folder. This |
| or repair your computer and restore all your | | | | allows you to run the software program for that folder |
| information from the backups that you've make on a | | | | only.Data, such as your email, can be a bit more |
| regular basis. The first option will be a disaster while | | | | difficult to backup. You can configure some email |
| the second choice is just mildly annoying.There are | | | | clients so that they keep a copy of the email that you |
| many ways that you can lose data on your computer. | | | | have sent and received onto the mail server. If this isn't |
| This includes the failure of computer hardware or | | | | an option you might be able to export your email |
| damage from floods or fires. Your computer hard | | | | messages to a folder which can be backed up |
| drive can potentially be damaged by surges of power | | | | later.You can do backups for any type of media that |
| that come from lightning. Or you may lose data if your | | | | is removable, such as removable hard drives, keychain |
| child hits keys randomly on the keyboard. As well, a | | | | devices (which plug into a USB port on your computer), |
| virus can erase your hard drive or infect your | | | | or writable DVDs/CDs. In some cases you can even |
| computer system.The only way that you can get your | | | | still use a floppy disc because some documents will |
| data back is to have it available to be restored.What | | | | take up very little space. All you have to do is use |
| to Backup?For most users it won't be necessary that | | | | about seven discs and rotate them every week.Doing |
| every file on their computer is backed up since this | | | | a daily backup is just one more thing that you'll need to |
| would require a lot of storage space. At the very least | | | | do in your already busy schedule. However, the day |
| PC users should do a backup of their personal files | | | | that you lose that one file you really need and can't get |
| and software that they can't replace. This includes | | | | back you'll find that you're a lot busier.Paul Wilcox |
| such information as legal documents, financial records | | | | writes about virus protection, internet security and |
| in spread sheets, and any work that they have in | | | | other related topics for the Internet Security Squad |
| progress.Backup don't need to be complicated.The | | | | website. |