The Blink Of An Eye

Most users are well aware that they should back up their data on a regular basis. Some are fortunate in that they are aware simply from information they have read, or anecdotal stories told 3rd-hand. Many, however, have suffered the consequences of failing to back up data first hand, perhaps losing priceless family photos or irreplaceable financial data in the process.

Maybe those victims of data loss had it on their “to-do” list. They planned to back up very soon…as soon as they could find the time. In the blink of an eye, the data is gone. It could be a hard drive crash, a flood, a fire, or any number of unpredictable tragedies. Regardless of how it happens, your data will be gone unless you have taken precautions ahead of time.

Two Birds With One Stone

The most tragic of victims are those who actually did think to back up their data, but did not have the foresight to store it in a different location. If you burn your backup data to CD and store it on a shelf above your computer, odds are good that the fire that melts your computer down to a blob of plastic will also destroy your backup data.

In the event of a simple hard drive crash, the CD’s on the shelf will do the trick. But, most other catastrophes that will destroy your data will be able to kill two birds with one proverbial stone and take out your backup data at the same time. Not only is it important to backup your data, it is also important that your backup data survive the disaster that kills your data to begin with.

Offsite Backups

One solution for this dilemma is to back up your data to a removable or transportable media such as an external USB hard drive or a DVD, and then storing it somewhere else. Determining where has a few variables for you to consider.

If your data is important, but not priceless or irreplaceable, simply storing the backup data in a location of your home or office that is as far from the computer system as possible may suffice. At least then a tragedy in one room will not take out both the original and backup data simultaneously.

Some store backup data in their vehicle, but in some areas the heat will destroy your backup data before a catastrophe ever gets a chance to. If you have a friend or relative nearby, perhaps you can arrange to store your backup media with them. Another option is to store your backup media in a safe deposit box at your bank or credit union.

Online Backup Services

Another solution for backing up your data offsite is to use an online backup service. These services allow you to back up your data over the Internet. Unless you happen to live next door to the data center that houses the servers of the backup service you choose, odds are fair that no single catastrophe can destroy both your original data and your backup.

Backup.com and iBackup are two providers that offer online backup for a fee. iBackup offers plans starting at $9.95 per month for 5Gb of space, while Backup.com charges $14.95 for 1Gb of space. In contrast, Xdrive offers up to 5Gb of storage space for free, but also provides additional storage space up to 50Gb for only $9.95 per month.

Of course, the amount of space provided is only one factor. Some online backup providers may be more secure, or provide more efficient or convenient tools for performing backups. You should do your homework and choose an solution that is best for you.

Compared with the cost of removable storage, an online backup solution can be quite costly. Particularly when you consider that a 500Gb external USB hard drive is a one-time expense while an online backup service is a recurring monthly charge. Regardless of what you choose, just make sure you are backing up your important data and taking the necessary precautions to safeguard the backup data so it is available when you need it.

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