Apart from keeping your computer safe and your internet connection secure, don’t you think it is necessary to protect, secure and prevent your personal files, important data and information on your computer from getting lost? Files and data loss is one of the most common problem faced by many computer users including the pros. Due to neglect and carelessness, many users lose tangible information, substantial and useful files on their computer. No matter how smart you may be, if your files and data are not backed up and secured the right way, there is no way you wont lose them, unless these steps are put into work.
#1 Use Windows Backup
System backup is one of best and important features on Windows Operating Systems, it simply let you select and backup some important data and files on your computer. Any backed up files and folder can be successfully restored back if something goes wrong with your computer but it’s painful that many computer users only remember this feature after their important files might have been lost already. To back up the files & data on Windows XP, go to my Computer > right click on your hard drive and select Properties > Tools > click on Backup Now > and follow the next steps properly. After the drive is successfully backed up, any time something happens to your files, you can restore them back from your backup.
For Windows 7 users, this detailed guide should help and if you’re using Windows 8, go to Control Panel and search for Windows 7 File Recovery where you can set up a backup.
#2 Use Cloud Storage
To ensure the safety of your files, you can think of saving or uploading some of your important files online, there are many ways or sites that allow you to upload your files and you can restore it back anytime you want. I use Google Drive mostly with more than 10+ GB available space and also Hotfile. You can do little more research on the best cloud storage to use that fits your need. Sometimes some sites require you to pay for unlimited available space but with Google Drive, Skydrive and a few others, it’s is free with limited available space. Additionally I use my email to save some little files like pdf, txt and picture files in draft.
#3 Updated Antivirus
No doubts, virus attack is one of the major causes of data loss. File damage and corruption is a good example of the dirty work of Trojan Horse and worms but having an updated antivirus is only best way to prevent you from such malicious viruses. Viruses are discovered every single day, no matter how you scan your system with outdated version of antivirus it can only see virus that it knows about but having updated antivirus will help your antivirus to scan and detect any available virus on your computer before it can do any damage to your files, data and your computer as a whole.
#4 File Recovery Software
There are lots of software programs that help you recover any files on your computer. I must tell you that these kind of programs don’t produce good and accurate result but it is good to have them right by your side because anytime something terrible happens to your computer leading to loss of valuable data, having these kind of software might really help you to save the day.
#5 Using CDs, DVDs and external hard drives
This is another useful way to keep your files safe from being lost. It’s alright to have your stuffs right there on your hard disk but at times, a crashed hard drive can be catastrophic. This is why it’s important to burn your important files to CDs and DVDs and keep them somewhere safe place. Most people fail to see the need to use and external storage device but this is wrong.
Got any suggestion to prevent loss of files and data on your computer? A technique you personally use not mentioned here? Feel free to share them using the comment box below. 🙂