Backup Your Data

Backups must be durable,so that your data must be readable,even after 100 years.MediaMacro tells you,which mediums are best suited for long term archiving in a simple way.Just imagine,what will be left for our descendants to discover after 100 years?

In this digital age,all the data is saved on the PC and if the hardware breaks down even once,individual documents might be lost – even though you made sure you had regular backups.So,you can preserve your valuable data,for as long as possible using this strategies.

Strategy 1 : Backups on DVD

If you only store only a little important data on your PC that slowly accumulates,a monthly backup on good blanks is sufficient.Pay attention to the quality of the discs at all costs.A standard DVD blank can refuse to deliver the burnt data after only five years.Avoid backups on CD,instead choose DVD.Use software for burning your data,such as Nero Backup or Nero Burning ROM  (shareware),or CDBurnerXP (freeware).

• Durability – 10 to 15 years
• Data volume – 4GB up to 8 GB
• Cost – Cheap
• Security – 60%

Strategy 2 : Backups on Hard Disk

An ideal alternative to DVD is a hard disk,internal or external,if the data in your My Documents are twice the size of  DVD capacity,hard disks are surely the right choice.

When stored correctly,weekly backups are a must and you can use the S.M.A.R.T. tools to check your hard disks for error.You can use backup software such as Acronis True Image (shareware),Norton Ghost or SyncBack and GFI Backup Home Edition (freeware).

• Durability – under 10 years
• Data Volume – 500 GB up to 1 TB
• Cost – Affordable
• Security – 60%

Strategy 3 – Backups in the Network

If you want to access to your backups and data anytime you want,save daily on Network Attached Storage (NAS) hard disks or on the Internet.These devices are certainly more expensive than simple external HDD.The manufacturers usually expected to provide the backup feature,thus there is usually a software package along with the backup tool.

• Durability – 20 years
• Data Volume – 1 TB up to 3 TB
• Cost – Expensive
• Security – 90%

Strategy 4 – Cloud Storage Backups

Online file storage has been around for quitesome time but the latest generation of services are so cheap and easy to use that there is almost no reason not to back some of your files up into the cloud.Most online storage providers also give you the ability to then share these files with your friends and colleagues.

Some of them are free and give us options to upgrade for more support and data space.Examples Box.net,Live Mesh,DropBox,MyDrive,MyNetworkFolders,ADrive,Livedrive,and many more.

They do have advantage but also disadvantages.For instance,some company might close down their operation,your data could have been lost.

• Durability – 5 to 10 years (Depends on the company)
• Data volume – Various
• Cost – Free and affordable
• Security – 50%

Strategy 5 – Distributed Backups

If you want complete security,you have to store on several distributed backups,on NAS disks or on the internet.If your data is expensive and ‘vitally important’,distributed backups are the right choice.

For more security,make sure when uploading your data,you encrypt it first because you can never be completely sure no unauthorised person gets to see it.

Good solutions offered by Carbonite Backup,the data is encrypted before transfer.

• Durability – More than 50 years
• Data volume – 1TB upwards
• Cost – Expensive
• Security – 100%

Conclusion

A backup is always an additional safeguarding your data,never the only storage location.NEVER delete the secured data from your PC!

This article was recently published by me at Squidoo and HubPages.