Computers have become a critical part of our lives, and we cannot imagine our lives without them. In fact, they have replaced all our old diaries, notebooks and registers, as we store all our important files and details on the computer. With advancement in technology, the size of the computer is also becoming smaller, and they are quite easy to carry anywhere. But, can you imagine a situation where your computer crashes, and the data on the hard disk is not retrievable? Well, if the data was not critical, you might probably curse yourself, and try to create them again. But, if the data had been critical, then you have no other option but to feel bad and sorry.
The question is “Can you save yourself from such a situation?” Yes, you can save yourself from such unpleasant situations, by being prepared enough. Well, any challenges can be faced in life, if one is prepared for them.
How Can You Be Prepared?
Well, one could take up backups of data on a regular basis, so that in case of computer crash, these backups can be used for restoring the data. When you do a data backup, it means storing of the files from a computer to another location, from where, it can be easily recovered.
When you have a data backup with you, you would have saved a great deal of time, and would have also assured peace of mind for yourself. If you do not have a backup, then you might have to rely on recovering from the crashed hard-disk, which might not even yield results. And, God only save you if your data is lost, and there is no way of retrieving it.
The best thing about data backup is that it is not at all time consuming, and it is not expensive too. There are various options for taking backups, and you can choose the one, which works best for you. One can take backups on the CD drives, USBs or take online backups using the cloud computing. The cost of these devices and technologies are not much, and considering the amount of stress that these will save, the advantages are significant. And, the best part is that you can keep rewriting on these disks, and keep taking backups every week.
Now that you have realized the importance of taking backups, and being prepared, you should aim to take backups twice in a week at least. Being safer is better than being sorry.
What can I do without a backup?
If you missed the chance to backup your data then there is not much else you can do. You need to look into having data recovered from your hard drive. This can be a costly event and will require a fair amount of time and resources. But if you need the data and haven’t backed up, this is your only option.
How do I back up my data?
We wrote several articles on backing up your data for various operating systems.
I don’t back up my data. How bad can that be?
Don’t lose all your data. How to back up Windows 7
How to Backup Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. Don’t risk all your files
FAQs
1. What is the best way to back up my data?
Using more than one backup method is the way to go when backing up your data. For example, you could store a copy on an external hard drive or USB, and another copy in the cloud. That way, even if something happens to your computer or one backup fails, you still have another copy to rely on. To protect your most recent files, don’t forget to update regularly.
2. What happens if I don’t back up my data?
If you don’t back up your data and if your computer crashes, you risk losing important files permanently. Recovering any lost data can be very expensive, time-consuming, and sometimes even impossible. If you don’t have backups, you may have to recreate files from scratch or pay professionals for recovery, which can be stressful and expensive.
3. What is the 3-2-1 rule for data backup?
The 3-2-1 rule is a simple strategy that keeps your data safe. It means:
- 3 copies of your data (your original file + 2 backups)
- 2 different types of storage (e.g., external drive and cloud)
- 1 copy stored offsite (Something like cloud storage, away from your main location)
Follow this rule because even if something happens with your computer or one backup fails, your data will still be protected.
4. What are the different methods of backing up data?
Some common methods of data backup include:
- External drives or USB drives: Very fast and easy for local backups.
- Cloud storage: Safe and is accessible from anywhere. Also protects against physical damage.
- CDs/DVDs: It is less common now. But still useful for small or long-term storage.
- Network-attached storage (NAS): Useful for storing data of multiple computers in one location.
Choosing more than one method increases your data safety.
5. How often should I back up my data?
You should back up your data regularly. For most people, backing up a minimum of twice a week is a good idea. But if your files change daily or if they are very important, it is smart to back up daily. Backing up regularly ensures you always have the most recent version of your files protected.
6. Is backing up my data expensive or time-consuming?
No, backing up data doesn’t have to be expensive or take much time. External drives and USBs are affordable. Cloud storage options are available for free or low cost. Because of modern software, backups can run automatically, so you don’t need to spend hours doing it manually. The small cost and effort of backing up can prevent a much more expensive recovery.