Data Backup Software and Service

Why to back up?

The first thing a new or experienced computer user should learn is the importance of backing up. Are you still not backing up your data? You should know this by now: computers can and do fail. The problem is that you usually get no warning before it's too late. This has happened to many people. In extreme cases, it has put companies out of business. If you don't back up your computer system regularly, you are playing Russian roulette with your data. Backups are really a necessity, and you are responsible for making backups of your files.

What to back up?

1. Backing up your important documents and folders.
2. Back up your Outlook folders and settings.
3. Backing up e-mail and news folders for Outlook Express, Mozilla, Netscape, and more.
4. Back up your AIM, Yahoo!, MSN and ICQ messenger data.
5. Back up the core system files and desktop configuration folders.

Backup is probably the most essential component of any corporate network, but is also one of those things that are done wrong with dreadful regularity. Yet it’s not difficult to get your backup strategy right. Here are some tips on planning backup strategy effectively.

There are many types of backup. Here we only focus on those that are most popular.
Full Backup
Full backup is the starting point for all other backups, and contains all the data in the folders and files that are selected to be backed up. Because full backup stores all files and folders, frequent full backups result in faster and simpler restore operations.
Daily backup
Daily backup copies all the files that you select that have been modified on the day the daily backup is performed. The backed-up files are not marked as having been backed up
Differential backup
A differential backup is a partial backup that copies a selected file to tape only if the archive bit for that file is turned on, indicating that it has changed since the last full backup. A differential backup leaves the archive bits unchanged on the files it copies. Accordingly, any differential backup set contains all files that have changed since the last full backup. A differential backup set run soon after a full backup will contain relatively few files.

As computer is spread in every corner of the world, people are used to it both in life and work. However, this may be a risk for the users since all the data is stored in computer no matter important or not. There are so many accidental affairs which will cause your data to loss, such as hard drive crash, power outage, power surge, virus attacks, hackers, natural disaster, theft, human error, etc. Data loss can result in days of recovery time and lost productivity, and yet data backup is still one of the most neglected areas of computer maintenance.

Actually, backing up a file can be as simple as right-clicking the file, copying it and saving it under another name in a different place. However, a haphazard, periodic approach to backup is only more useful than no backup at all. Backup software will ensure that you have a proper system in place and stay on schedule.

There is an infinite variety of backup software available, so you should be able to find one that suits the needs and budget of your business. Talk to representatives at a computer store or check out online reviews to choose the software that is best for you. The software will guide you through the process of backing up your data.

Keeping a copy of critical data is important for both home and business computer users. Whether it's your personal computer users or corporate customer database, a backup copy can save you from disaster in the event the original file is lost.
However, to decide what data to be back up is highly personal. It depends on what you want to backup, how you want to backup it and on what type of computer or network you are using. Anything you regard as important should be at the top of your list. Before you get started, you should make sure the files are those you want to back up. And to set up a check list of the files to be back up is also necessary. This will give you a reference list when you need to retrieve a backed-up file. Here are some file suggestions to get you started:
• Bank records and other financial information
• Digital photographs
• Software you purchased and downloaded from the Internet
• Music you purchased and downloaded from the Internet
• Personal projects
• Your e-mail address book
• Your Microsoft Outlook calendar
• Your Internet Explorer bookmarks
Work document