If you've got some important data - say like, data you've accumulated over 2-3 years that's irreplaceable - we suggest you grab an external or sign up for a cloud backup service today. You don't want to end up like this university researcher who's potentially lost years worth of data that may have led to a possible cure for prostate cancer. So, if you haven't backed up in ages and have some really important stuff on that laptop of yours, we've provided two stupidly easy ways to get your stuff backed up ASAP.
External Hard Drive: By far the easiest way to back up your data is to grab a big fat 1-2TB drive and moving all of your stuff onto there. If you've got a Mac, use Time Machine to get some version control of your files. It's best to set the back up schedule for at least once a month.
The Cloud Service: Also a ridiculously easy way to get your stuff up - simply install the software, pay the $5 monthly fee, and sleep safely knowing that your data's going to servers that are protected by militarized forces... okay, maybe not that last part, but it's good a good idea to have your data stuffed somewhere far away from your laptop. You know, just in case the would-be thief decides to take your backup drive as well along with it.
MORE BACKUP OPTIONS:
What's the Best Method to Back Up My Stuff?
How to Securely Back Up Your Data
Computer Maintenance: Backup Every Few Months
Survey: How Do You Backup Your Files?
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Since last Fall, I've made Fridays "Backup Fridays" at work. Everyone (at work & on social media) expects an email from me declaring such. Then I do it. Simple as that. I'm backing up my websites now!
And when someone loses data, they know not to come complaining to me.
Hard drive are so inexpensive these days, there's no reason why people shouldn't be backing up there computers.
i like the add. i agree with "no questions asked"
i wouldn't say a word as i bashed their knees in with a bat. violent, yes, appropriate, very
i have a time machine running all the time now, it is hidden in a part of my desk that you can't see easily and the cable routes to there. if someone broke in i doubt they would trace all my cables, so it would hopefully be safe. Today i am leaving on a trip so the time machine will go into a fireproof safe.
Last week, I thought I had lost both my computer (crash) and backup drive (failed backup that corrupted ability to be seen by computers). I managed to actually recover both with only a few files lost, but I set up cloud back-up and synced all files between computers in addition to my external hard drive just in case. It took me 6 days, to process/upload everything but I feel confident that all four devices/services won't fail at once.