Are You Keeping Your Digital Data Safe?

Data Backups????? What Are Those?

Have you ever lost your files? I can tell you from experience that it is a gut sickening experience. All it takes is a sudden hard drive failure to lose everything, even with a new computer. I had a top of the line HP business desktop that suffered a hard drive failure only 1 month after purchase. Luckily I had already learned to create backups.

It's Not That Complicated

"I'll do it tomorrow"

A great majority of us tend to procrastinate this backup process. It is not an issue of "IF my computer hard drive crashes", but "WHEN it crashes". Storage devices wear out or quickly go "bad". They should probably be replaced fairly often, or at least every few years.

Have you developed a plan to keep your files always backed up?
Is it an automatic backup?
Have you checked to see that the backup service is actually backing up? (the operating system backup services can just shut off)
What if your computer and backups are stolen, or destroyed in a fire or flood?
Do you have an offsite backup?
Do you have a family member that is responsible to be the "backup person" in your family?
How are you going to make sure that your precious photos and family documents continue to be maintained after you are gone?

Worried About the "Cloud"

Consider Using the Cloud

3-2-1 Backup Strategies

USB Flash Drive Risks

Don't Worry, Be Happy! Your Safe!

Make your account password STRONG, AND use Two Factor Authentication. Not only would someone have to figure out a very difficult password, but they would also have to have access to your phone or other device to verify that it is you that is trying to log in. However, you will only need to log into your account ONCE on your computer when setting up the desktop synching application.
If for some reason your cloud service disappears one day, you still have your local daily hard drive backups and those files on your computer's hard drive available. Using a well known cloud service like Google, Microsoft, Dropbox, etc they will continue on for a very long time.

These "clouds" are basically large "server farms" where data can be securely held and kept safely backed up.

There are many “Clouds” to choose from with probably the most common being Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and Apple iCloud Drive, however there are many others as well. The cost is minimal, 99 cents/month for 100gb of storage, and on up the tiers to $10/month for 2 terabytes. Each service will vary, so you will need to explore what plans they have.

Having your files stored in a "Cloud" offers you a way to keep all your files synchronized across multiple devices (iPads or tablets, Laptops, Desktops, etc). When a file is uploaded or changed on one device, all the devices connected to your "cloud account" will then be updated to reflect the current file changes.

Most of the major "Cloud Drives" offer a desktop app that will install and integrate into your desktop browser (File Explorer in Windows or Finder on Macs). This allows you to organize, move files, or create folders in your "cloud drive", just as you would do with any of your files on your hard drive.

A file in the "cloud" is available anywhere you may be, such as at the Family History Library, "on the road traveling", and so on, as long as you have internet of course.

What if your computer hard drive suddenly dies? Don't worry, your files are still stored on your cloud drive. Replace your hard drive, reinstall your "cloud's" desktop app, and the files will download back to your desktop. This should NOT be your only backup strategy though!!