I have had to deal with a few broken hard drives in the last few weeks.
That in itself is not a significant issue. It takes a bit of time and effort but fitting a new hard drive, reinstalling the operating system and putting the programs back on is a straight forward enough process.
Where the problem lies is when a broken hard drive is so unhappy that the data is not retrievable.
Moreover, the owner of the computer does not have a backup. All the documents, photos and other created data are lost forever.
Phones & Tablets
That is why it is essential to have a backup. However, it’s not just PC’s and laptops. We now store a lot more data on our phones or tablets – especially photos – and these devices can so easily be lost or stolen.
Thankfully, Apple or Google – depending on the flavour of your device – have excellent cloud backup systems built-in. But they need to be set up correctly to ensure you are making full use of that protection. If you are unsure that your phone or tablet backup is doing its job, it would be worth having it checked. Get in touch if you would like me to do that.
PC’s & Laptops
PC’s and Laptops have more choice. You can back up to external hard drives or even memory sticks. Windows 10 devices and Apple Macs have two excellent backup systems built-in called File History and Time Machine. These systems automatically back up whenever the computer is on, and the backup device is attached. And, as the names suggest, they can also keep older copies of documents etc. just in case they were needed.
If you currently don’t have any form of backup, then – for the sake of a £50 or so hard drive – I would recommend using File History or Time Machine at the very least. Contact me if you want to know more.
Cloud Backup
I have already mentioned that phones and tablets have cloud backup systems in place. The one advantage of cloud backup is that it is stored off-site. That means in the worst-case scenarios of a fire, theft, water damage or loss, your precious data is safely stored elsewhere in the world.
Cloud backup is also available for your computers too and offers the same advantages. If you want a set and forget backup that keeps those documents and pictures safe even in the worst of disasters, then cloud backup is the way to go.
The Greater Of Two Evils
Remember, losing your data is much more likely than getting a virus. Many people, however, spend a fortune on antivirus products each year, yet never backup.
Don’t let it happen to you. Get in touch regarding the cloud backup service I supply.