Six (6) Simple Backup Tips For Your Computer

Computer users may not notice it until the time comes, but one of the worst things that can possibly happen to your system is data becoming inaccessible. There are many reasons it can happen: theft, power failure, liquid spills, and the most dreaded of all is storage damage. Damaged data means that the required files suddenly cannot be used, either memorable photos or confidential files. Therefore, data backup is a must!

If you have never previously backed up your selected files, then doing so may take a little longer the first time depending on how much data you want to store. However, once you've got the bulk of it done, regular backups can become an easy task. We would like to provide you with some simple but effective system backup tips that will hopefully make the backup task a lot easier. Straight to!

1. Decide what data needs to be backed up

When it comes to decisions about what to back up, the immediate thought is work or personal files. That includes photos, videos, and documents, which, if damaged, can become impossible to replace. You can also choose to backup apps, programs, and system settings that you might want to keep versions of. All this in turn will put your mind at ease and if something happens to your system then you will have an updated version within your reach.

2. Scheduling

If you always want to have the latest versions of your files, then a schedule is the plan you need to have! Your schedule pattern will depend a lot on what you want to back up. If it's just personal files, a less regular upload plan will be necessary because the volume of data created per month is smaller. On the other hand, job file backups should be updated more frequently. The recommendation for daily or weekly backups will depend on your workload. Check our guide on how to set up and schedule automatic backups on Windows and MacOS.

3. Don't just use Cloud backups

The cloud is probably one of the easiest ways to backup data, especially when it comes to mobile phones and computer systems. This data collection system can be automated so that it feels completely effortless for the user. While this is a good way to back up data, it shouldn't be your only option. Cloud companies can be hacked and more and more often we see that terms and account agreements can change which can put your files at risk. Monthly subscriptions can also prove to be more expensive than in case the user buys an external storage device.

4. Automation

Automatic backups require minimal effort which is incredibly helpful in today's life. Going to the Cloud is easy and you can choose how often you want to update your file storage. There is also an option to use the same process on your external storage device through multiple programs on your system, which can include Windows® Backup/File History and TimeMachine on macOS®. All you need to do is type 'backup' into the search bar and read the instructions if you like.

5. The 3-2-1 backup theory

So, this rule is based on the theory that you have three copies of your files. You store two copies on different devices (either in cloud or external storage) and one copy in a secure location like a safe or offsite. To some, this theory might sound a bit far-fetched, but if something should happen to your backup, then you'll thank yourself!

6. Choose the right external drive

When choosing the right external device for backup, you need to think about not only capacity, but also the durability and speed of the device. External hard drives (HDD) are a reasonably priced option for large amounts of data and can be high-speed, but dropping or misplacing them can damage the interior and potentially make it impossible to retrieve data.

External SSDs are considered a slightly more expensive version of their close HDD relative, but are well worth the buy if you're willing to spend a little more money. SSDs are more durable, faster and usually much smaller than HDDs which makes them more portable. Kingston's XS2000 USB-C External Solid State Drive is a great choice for personal or work backup, with speeds of up to 2,000MB/s read, 2,000MB/s write*, and capacities from 500GB – 2TB**. There are specifications suitable for each user's needs. It is USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 which reduces waiting time for data transfer from one device to another!

If you want something more secure to protect your sensitive files, Kingston's IronKey Vault Privacy 80 External SSD is FIPS 197 certified with 256-bit XTS-AES encryption. The color touch screen will enable multiple password options (Admin and User) to ensure your data is protected at all times.

If SSDs are not your thing, Kingston also offers a variety of storage options to suit your needs such as USB flash drives, SD and microSD memory cards. Reliable storage for photos, music, videos and personal documents that keep your files safe and easy to access.

By choosing the right storage and following these simple tips, your backup process will be very easy and convenient!