Mention computer data backups to most people, and their eyes glaze over. Backups, we’re told, are necessary, but they’re fiddly and boring and you probably figure that you don’t have that much data that’s really worth backing up anyway, right?
To put it as simply as possible, wrong. How would you feel if your computer, phone and tablet all suddenly vanished in a puff of smoke? You’d naturally be alarmed, but that’s when it would most likely hit you that at least one of those devices had something that you had stored nowhere else, whether it’s those SMS messages from your fiancée, those photos of your grandkids on your phone or that copy of the great Australian novel you’ve been working on. The absolute ubiquity of technology in our lives means that we produce more computer-related data than ever before.
Sure, it might not be the nuclear launch codes, or even the banking details of a multinational corporation, but there’s absolute value that can’t even be quantified in money terms to much of the personal data we create day by day, and that’s why having some kind of backup strategy in place is vital for every single one of us.
Thankfully, backup doesn’t involve the same old arcane software and tedious processes that it used to. Most smartphones offer some kind of cloud-based backup for data, using services like Apple’s iCloud or Google’s Drive for example that can make keeping your photos, emails and video recordings safe even if your phone is lost. You do get a small quantity of free storage, but it’s generally worth paying for the extra data if you exhaust that. Again, you can’t take that photo again quite the same way, if at all, whereas paying a few bucks to keep a permanent online copy ensures that it’s safe even if your phone isn’t.
On the computer side, consumer level backup software, and even cloud-based backup options have come a long way in terms of user friendliness. Some operating systems make it pretty simple to use an external drive as a very simple crude backup option, but be aware that this backup is only as good as the integrity of the drive you’re copying to. Every drive fails eventually, and of course if there’s a catastrophic event like a burglary or a bushfire, a local backup could vanish along with your PC. Cloud services can be a godsend there, although you will need some patience in the initial setup period as it can take some time to upload all of your files, especially if you’re on a slower internet connection. It’s also worth looking into encrypting your backups before you send them online, so that you’re the only one able to grab them if you do end up needing them.
Of course, if all of this feels too challenging, a friendly Geeks2U technician is ready and waiting to help you set up your own personal backup in your home or online at any time.
