Backup your data

• Backup up your data: Make copies of critical information on media stored off your computer to protect yourself in case your computer fails, is lost or stolen or destroyed. These backups may be your only recourse to recover your information.
  
  
• Be sure to use a backup system that is not specific to one particular computer setup: A solution that can be easily implemented on the next system you purchase is important.
  
  
• Perform regular rotating backups: Weekly at least, and add daily incremental backups if you are very active.
  
  
• Make sure your individual backups are on different media. Don't use one big external drive to put all of your backups on (What if it fails?).
  
  
• Make permanent archival backups at regular intervals (what if the file you want was corrupted before your last backup?).
  
  
• Keep a copy of a recent backup somewhere else. If you don't and your computer area is destroyed by fire or flood, you will still lose years worth of work!
  
  
• Know where your data (information) is: For every program that you use to collect or save vaulable data (e.g. email, Internet links, databases, documents, etc.) determine where your data has been saved, and include it in your backups.