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Backups are the last line of defence against hardware failure, floods or fires, the damage caused by a security breach or just accidental deletion of data.
Why Do I Need to Backup My Files?
Don't fall into the old paradigm of "it will never happen to me." While there is certainly a chance that you will never have a need for the backups you make of your files, if something does happen to your computer you will certainly be glad that you have them. And you do not have to backup your entire computer, although this is certainly something that many people do, but only the files that are of the most importance to you.
Some things are easily replaced, and there is no need to backup these sorts of things, but those irreplaceable documents or files that are yours and yours alone should be saved in a place where they cannot be damaged. That way, no matter what happens to your computer, you can have security in the fact that all of your files are available in backup.
So How do I Backup My Files?
There are many possible methods for backing up your files. Floppy diskettes are a very common way, although this is somewhat falling by the wayside as computers are using floppy drives less and less. It is not uncommon to not see a single computer with a floppy disk drive on display when you go to the computer store to buy a new computer. CD-R's are an excellent method for backing up your files.
CD-Rs and CD-RWs allow hundreds of times more storage space than a floppy disk could ever hope to have, and with increasingly faster CD burners they are becoming faster and easier to use all the time. It is possible to save 800 MB of data onto a CD in only minutes, and for many people they can backup every file of importance on their computer onto a single CD.
This is far easier than have stacks of floppy disks lying around your computer desk which you must dig through any time you are trying to find a particular file that you have saved in backup.
DVD-Rs and DVD-RWs allow several times more storage space than a CD could ever hope to have, and with increasingly faster Dual layered DVD burners they are becoming faster and easier to use all the time. It is possible to save several GB of data onto a DVD in only minutes and for many people they can backup every file of importance on their computer onto a single DVD.
USB Flash drives and external drives are another fast method of backup however ensure these are removable or can be disconnected once the backup task is done. An always on Seagate Free Agent, Western Digital or other makes of external hard disks serves little purpose in protecting you against a modern virus attack which can hunt out other storage devices. Alternately password protect the disk, change to a hidden drive, use data encryption or a combination.
Online backup is another excellent method for the backing up of your files. This allows you to store your files online, where there are no need for disks or CDs, and you can simply download your files back onto your computer whenever you want.
Whatever method you choose, remember that backing up your files is very important and make sure that you do so to protect against the worst.
Image Backup Software
This takes a snapshot of your PC and normally stores it to a second disk dive which can be used to recover your PC in the event of damage by a Virus , Trojan or other Mal ware. Many programs run on average at 1 Gigabyte per minute depending on your PC, CPU speed, RAM, disk speed and level of compression.
Paragon Drive Backup 8.5 and above These work with a back up capsule which can be easily restored by press F1 at boot up time.
Acronis True Image 8 and above these can be used at boot up time rather than from the operating system so it does not mater if you have Windows or Linux.
Norton Ghost 14 works independently so you do not have to have Norton Anti virus on your PC and can be set to automatically back up your PC when the Norton threat level increases.
File by file Backup software
Quicker if you know exactly which files are effected or have been deleted, however some viruses, Trojans or other mal ware put hidden system files in the recycle bin, so if your on an expert at recovery this is not an easy option. This file backup method can also be found for example in BitDefender Total, Norton 360 and others.
Incremental Backup software
An improved method of file by file backup above, best run while temporary disconnected from the network or Internet. Most detect only files that have changed, so the first time it runs takes quite a while but after that it should be quicker.
Drive partitioning
This is a way of dividing your hard drive , USB flash drive or external drive and if done correctly is very useful however do not attempt on a previously or currently infected PC because once the Master Boot Record is infected adding partition will only endanger your whole PC.
Beware of some of the downloadable free tools or cheap CD’s some of these introduce Trojans to your system or infect the Master Boot Record.
Another danger is that you get a perfectly harmless piece of software that must be updated or patched, only to find that the update or patch is introduces the mal ware or infection.