Backup Blunders: The most common backup mistakes (and how to avoid them)

What would you do if you lost all of your precious data – decades of family memories and a lifetime of documents and paperwork? Backup of data should be the number one priority for anyone who does not want to risk losing data. Here are the most common backup mistakes we encounter and how to avoid them.
 

Mistake #1: Moving all data to a “backup drive”

We frequently have customers who come to us with an external hard drive which they say is “my backup drive”, yet it holds the only copy of their precious data. A backup is only a backup if it is a second (or third) copy. External drives are excellent backups devices but if you are moving data off your computer to make space, always ensure you make a second copy to avoid falling into this common backup blunder. If your computer is running out of space, there are other options to consider before moving data off the hard drive. If in the end you still wish to do that, always make sure you have at least two copies!

Mistake #2: Confusing backups with syncs

Whilst iCloud, GoogleDrive, DropBox etc are excellent ways to store data, did you know that these cloud solutions are NOT strictly a backup? The Cloud is actually a synchronizing software which replicates the data stored on other devices. For example, if you delete data off the Cloud or off your phone, it will also delete off your device/ Cloud. To prevent falling into this common trap, make sure you carefully check your Cloud settings before deleting photos and also make sure you have a versioned backup of your devices.

Mistake #3: Using the same backup drive for years

Hard drives actually have a life span of only 4-5 years and so it is essential that you regularly replace the hard drives you are using for your backup. Also, take note too that the same applies to your computer’s internal hard drive!

Mistake #4: Forgetting to verify the backup

It’s all well and good setting up a backup system, but what if it fails and no one notices? Regularly checking your backup to ensure everything is running smoothly can save you a huge headache later on down the line. When verifying your backup, you should look to see if the time and contents are correct, that each backup has finished and that you can successfully restore any data written during the backup.

If you need help setting up a robust backup to protect your data please get in touch with us now by calling 81138682.