T11M

I’ve been contemplating how to explain data backups in a way that will communicate exactly how critical this subject really is.  I have dealt with a number of computers recently that were not backed up and have suffered some form of a hard drive failure – partial or total failure.  In almost every case these people have lost valuable data that they will never be able to retrieve.  So listen up, take heed, and actually start backing up your computer.

First, a computer will NOT run forever; its components will begin to fail over time or with damage.  A computer is composed of a vast array of extraordinarily small electronic circuits that work together to give you the computer that you use every day.  One of the key components to a computer is the hard drive which physically stores your data.  Depending on your type of hard drive it is either composed of a group of spinning discs or a solid medium that can be manipulated with electric impulses.  Either way if this physical device becomes damaged in any way it can (and most likely will) cause a loss of data – whether that loss be partial or total depends on the extent of the damage.  Damage to a hard drive can occur in a number of ways – dropping it, overheating it, freezing it, rapidly changing its temperature, an electrical spike, a power failure, or just normal wear and tear.  All of these things contribute to the physical breakdown of a hard drive and eventual data loss.  You should always be careful with your hard drive and do your very best to keep it from being damaged.

Second, your computer should never be trusted as the sole keeper of your data.  As I stated before age or damage can cause data loss, but there is another more common way data is lost – deletion.  No matter how savvy you may think you are or how careful you are to ensure you are deleting the correct files, everyone at some point makes a mistake.  Whether you accidentally delete the wrong file or overwrite a file with another, data loss is inevitable.  Therefore you must back up your files on a regular schedule that coincides with the usage of your files.  Simply put, you should always back up your computer after making changes to your files.

Finally, data loss happens through theft or loss of the device.  This is pretty simple to understand.  Whether your computer is stolen, taken, or somehow misplaced your data is gone.  The only recourse you have is a back up that you have created.  If done properly your back ups should never be taken at the same time as your main computer. 

Now that you understand just how easily it is to lose your data the next step is to back it up.