How to backup your computer files?

There are various ways to backup and save computer files, these include:

Local Backup:
Windows Operating System has a built in Backup program that you can locate via the 'Search' facility on your PC or Laptop. Follow some basic wizards in the backup program and your files will be saved locally on the hard drive of your computer. You can run the backup process manually or set up a schedule in the program so that the backup runs automatically at a set time or day. Each time you backup your computer files, it will overwrite the previous saved version.

External Backup:
Use Windows Backup program or purchase a recommended Backup program to process a backup of your files to an external hard drive. This may be a hard drive that is permanently plugged in to your computer but sits 'outside the box' or could be a tape drive or a usb stick drive that you plug in when you want to do the backup. You can run the backup process manually or set up a schedule in the program so that the backup runs automatically at a set time or day. If the external device you are saving your files to is not plugged in at the time of the backup, then the backup will not be able to run. Each time you backup your computer files, it will overwrite the previous saved version.

Offsite Backup:
Similar to an external backup, your files are manually or automatically saved to an external device, and then physically removed from the premises so that the backup is stored in a secure offsite location of your choice.

Online Backup:
Using a backup program provided by an online backup service provider you may run manual backups or scheduled backups that utilize the benefits of internet to automatically send your data to a secure and managed offsite location (a data center). Your data will be stored offsite and updated each time the backup runs normally saving historic versions of your backups in storage so that you can restore copies of files from previous dates. For security and privacy, most online backup programs will automatically encrypted (scramble) your files while in storage. Click here here to read more about the benefits of online backup.