Play it safe and back up your data. If you want to back up the data on your PC, here are five smart ways you can do so. Each method has its pros and cons. For the ultimate in safety, choose two and use them concurrently. For example use an off-site cloud storage service with on site network attached storage (NAS). That way, if one fails, you still have the other.
1- Keep It in the Cloud
Advantages of the cloud:
- Free space and affordable upgrades.
- Data secured in a remote location.
- Being able to access it anywhere you can reach the internet.
- Secure transmission of data.
Disadvantages:
1. Capacity limitations for free storage.
2. The risk of a website shutting down.
3. Must reach the internet to access your backup files.
The best Cloud storage services keep your data safe with end-to-end encryption. They also offer free storage space and reasonable fees for additional space. Since your data is in a remote location, you can access it from anywhere by both computer and mobile device as long as you have internet access.
Big players in the cloud storage field include:
- iCloud: Apple’s cloud solution offers users 5GB of free storage. Windows users can also sync their files with iCloud Drive.
- Google Drive: Google’s service is integrated with Android devices. Windows and Mac users can download a desktop application for drag-and-drop capability. The service includes 15GB of free storage.
- OneDrive: It’s accessible through Windows 10’s file explorer. Android and iOS devices access the site through an app. Mac users can also download an app from the Mac App Store. OneDrive includes 5GB of free storage space.
- Dropbox: It’s been around for a while and offers personal and business subscriptions. The personal account includes 2GB of free data.
Plenty of other cloud storage services are around: MegaBackup, Nextcloud, Box, Spideroak One, and iDrive, to name a few. It’s probably best to stay away from newer services. You don’t want to sign on one day and find out the startup you use has gone out of business. This could put your data at risk.
2- Save It to an External Hard Drive
Advantages
- Easy to use.
- With software, you can schedule backups and never worry about them again.
Disadvantages
- Hard disk drives run the risk of failure.
- Solid-state drives have less risk but can be expensive for large-capacity drives.
- Should be stored off-site in case of fire or another catastrophe.
External and portable hard drives connect to one computer at a time. They’re usually wired devices, although some have wireless capabilities. Many now come with USB 3.0 capabilities, but your computer must also have USB 3.0 to take advantage of this feature.
3- Burn It to a CD, DVD, or Blu-Ray Disc
Advantages
- Drive failure not an issue.
- Can store safely in a second location (safety deposit box, for example).
Disadvantages
- Time-consuming to manage the backups.
- Assumes future of CD-capable technology. Some equipment no longer includes a drive for this purpose.
- Can get pricey for large amounts of data as you continue to buy additional discs.
Once the gold standard in data backup, burning data to CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs is now a much less popular, albeit still reliable, method of data backup.
4- Put It on a USB Flash Drive
Advantages:
- Affordable.
- Portable.
- Available in USB 3.0.
Disadvantages:
- Easy to misplace (not recommended for long-term storage of crucial information because of this risk).
- Not always durable.
- Capacity limitations.
USB flash drives are like tiny solid-state drives that you can carry in your pocket. While they were once expensive and available only in small capacities, their prices have dropped and size increased.
5- Save It to a NAS Device
Advantages
- Can back up several computers at once.
- Can be set for automatic backup.
Disadvantages
- Pricey.
- Possibility of drive failure.
A NAS (network attached storage) is a server that’s dedicated to saving data. It can operate either wired or wirelessly. This depends on the drive and your computer. Once configured, it can display as simply another drive on your computer.
FAQs
- How do I back up my iPhone data? First, connect your iPhone to your Mac. Open it in Finder. Then select Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac. To use iCloud, tap Settings > your name > iCloud > iCloud Backup. You can also back up your iPhone using iTunes.
- How do I back up my Android phone? To back up your Android phone, go to Settings. Then navigate to Cloud and accounts, and Backup and restore (or Systems > Backup on some phones). You can also transfer your Android files to your PC.
- How often should I back up my data? If possible, you should back up important files that you use daily every 24 hours. This is in case of a system crash. Automatic backups are always recommended.
- How do I back up save data on my PS4? To back up your PS4 save data, plug an external drive into one of the USB ports. Then, go to Settings > System > Backup and Restore > Back up PS4. Games you’ve purchased can be re-downloaded at no cost. PlayStation Plus subscribers can also upload their saved data to the cloud.
By reviewing our insights, you can easily understand the processes and techniques required for backing up your files and data.
As always, the only advice we offer on AdiTech is to ask questions. Anything you don’t understand, don’t hesitate to use the comment box. But don’t forget to check our Disclaimer.
