The Basics of Backup
#1 Rule of backup: Make sure you have one!
Not sure how backup options differ? Let’s dive in.
Backup to:
A USB stick / hard drive:
This is a common tactic that can be done either manually or automatic on a schedule. It can be as simple as dragging and dropping files and folders to a USB stick (thumb drive) or an external hard drive.
For automated backups, Windows has a simple, yet effective backup tool that can automate backups to either drive.
Cloud backup:
Files are uploaded to an online storage provider such as OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.
These services have come a long way and can be a simple and secure backup method for those with a fast, reliable Internet connection. Cloud backups and file repositories allow for greater collaboration, as well as accessing files on the go!
NAS (Network Attached Storage) backup:
A robust, two-hard drive appliance offering redundancy in case one hard-drive was to fail. A NAS solution also offers enhanced file versioning, file sharing and networking capabilities.
It can easily act as a central, local file repository for your team. It can additionally pair with a Cloud Backup provider noted above to leverage both local and offsite backups.
We’ll cover the USB and Cloud methods independently, and more in-depth, in upcoming tech blog posts. Want to vote for which to cover first? Or want to vote on what topic we should cover in the future? Send us a message or write on our Facebook wall.
If you have any questions about any of the above, or anything computer-related, please contact Tech-Tree.