Backup means keeping copies of your files in case the originals are lost or damaged, for
example by software problems, malware, disk failure, fire, theft,
or human error.
To be most effective, backups should happen frequently and automatically. Some backup systems
also retain versions of files you edit, and even files you delete—a kind of long-term ‘undo’
facility.
Local backup
With local backup the copies are stored on a hard drive or flash
drive (memory stick). There’s a one-off cost to buy this, typically not more than £50.
You also need backup software. For Mac users I recommend the built-in
Time Machine, while my preference on
Windows is Acronis True
Image.
Note: Although Windows 7 included a good local backup facility, my experience of
the Windows 10 equivalent, File History, has consistently been that it is not reliable. I no
longer recommend it to anyone.
Online backup
With online backup the copies are stored by an IT company of your
choice. They might call it ‘the cloud’; in reality, this means large warehouses filled with
computers with very high-capacity disks.
For a basic service, I recommend iCloud
on Mac or OneDrive
on Windows. Google Drive
and Dropbox are also good and work on both platforms.
All four start out free, but a small monthly payment buys more capacity—if you’ve got lots of
photos, for example.
More comprehensive options I recommend include
Acronis True Image and
Backblaze.
Belt and braces
I advise people to combine both local and online backup because they mitigate different risks.
For example:
- If fire destroys your local backup along with your computer, you can restore from
your online backup.
- If a hacker breaks into your online backup, the local backup is unaffected.