BACK UP not back off!
Even with the best computer and all the luck in the world – the day will come when you will lose some or all of your data - for it is not a matter of IF a hard drive fails but WHEN. Of course it is not just hard drive failure that can cause you to lose data but malware, software installations and updates gone wrong or even accidental deletion take their fair share of blame too.
A good computer technician will not even so much as touch your computer unless you can convince them that you have an up-to-date back up or sign a disclaimer and for a very good reason!
Ok, so enough of the doom and gloom, we all know we should do it, but why aren’t we?
The most common reasons (and I purposely use the word “reason” and not excuses– as they are VALID points!) I come across in my business and personal life are:
1) I just haven’t got round to it
I can fully sympathize with you and completely understand: there will always be more urgent things that need doing first, but unless you really do not mind losing any of the data on your computer, make it a priority, it is not as big and daunting a job as you might have been led to believe. And if you really cannot face the hassle – outsource it – get a professional in, an hour well worth investing in.
2) I just don’t know how
And why should you?! It never seizes to amaze me how the computing industry seems to get away with the most minimal and basic instruction manuals for the most technically advanced items (even dog food has clearer instructions). Don’t feel intimated and never embarrassed to ask a professional to show you how.
Before you start, take a few minutes and think about:
a) which files and data you want to back up and how often (remember to include your emails, favourites etc) and how much data is there
b) where do you want the data to be backed up to: DVD, external or second hard drives, on-site, off-site or even online
3) I just can’t afford to spend any money on it
Gone are the days when you had to pay for decent back up software. Ever since Windows Vista, a basic but decent backup utility is included on every Windows machine: you can find it in Start/AllPrograms/Accessories/SystemTools.
There are also great free programs out there; one favourite is by Comodo (http://backup.comodo.com/), and some fairly inexpensive ones (if you need more functionality and are happy to pay).
Most importantly, once you have done the backup, and before you quite rightly pad yourself on the back, make sure it worked, test it!
Good luck!
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