Simple Steps to Safeguard Your Key Computer Files

By Marie Elwood

Last Monday evening when I was finishing up some work for one of America's top branding firms, a lightning flash struck me. No, no, not a bolt of wild inspiration- - the other kind, the one Mother Nature likes to send along for her very own little shock-and-awe display.

When a tree 65 yards from our office was hit, the lightning strike completely wiped out the Invisible Fence, sprinkler & alarm systems, Wii, satellite TV, an old big-screen TV set, and the DSL modem.

It could have been far worse.

You've probably heard the saying, "there are two categories of folk in the world: those that have lost their data...and those who will."

Whenever I heard that, I nodded along.Yes. I have really gotta back up my files. One of these days.

That went on for more years than I care to confess, but I eventually DID back my system up, as good fortune would have it, only two short weeks ago. Now I realize that as well as lightning, I'm also vulnerable to laptop theft, random acts of clumsiness (spilled coffee, dropped laptop PC), viruses, and standard equipment failure.

The point is this: imagine all your work, images, audio/video, and key documents gone, irretrievably. Seriously, can you imagine it all... Totally gone? What would that be like?

If you tend to play little too fast & loose with the whole "it won't happen to me" approach, I am hoping you can take action now & consider the following:

1) An External Hard Drive:

The idea here is to get everything of real value off your PC (s) and onto a separate storage device, many of which are available for around $40. Once you have downloaded the files you want to have backed up, stash your external drive somewhere secure (some people go as far as to employ a fire-resistant safe or safe-deposit box).

2) Online Services:

If you don't wish to use an external disc drive, or if you'd like even more protection, you may want to back up your key files using an online server. Three of the most preferred are DropBox, Carbonite, and Evernote; low-level storage is available for free.

Please note: do not put secret company/customer files on a web server. While these internet services have made a commitment to defending themselves from hackers, it's smart to keep sensitive information elsewhere.

3) A System:

Ah, here's the fly in the ointment. It will not do us much good if we use our external drives & online servers only once in a blue moon. Backing up regularly is the key, whether it's once per day, week, or month. Set up a reoccurring reminder on your calendar so you won't "get burned."

However you decide to protect yourself from computer catastrophe, don't wait 'til lightning strikes- - take action now.

About the Author:

Marie Elwood runs Increased Results, a Christian marketing company that helps large organizations leverage a successful qualitative market research process.