What Files Should You Backup?

Protect the files that matter most

If you're new to online data backup, you may not know what files you should be backing up. The best way to evaluate this is to ask yourself: "If I lost this data today, would I miss it? Would my business be able to function without it?"

Look at the types of files you have on your system and categorize them into one of the following categories:

• Most critical
• Needed
• Not needed

Now, of that most critical data, try to determine how much space you will need in megabytes. Also consider the various files types and formats. Some may be database information. Others may include e-mails and contact lists. It's generally not necessary to backup program files or operating system files, unless you are only doing this ONCE for a master backup to safeguard in an offsite data storage facility. For ongoing backups these types of files need not be backed up regularly.

Personal users may want to backup these types of data online:

• Documents
• Spreadsheets
• Databases
• Reports
• Financial data
• Resume
• Contact lists
• Address book data
• Photographs and videos
• Genealogy
• Research material
• Internet bookmarks
• E-mails

Once you've determined what to backup, consider how often your files change or you create new ones. This will help you determine an effective online backup schedule that works best for you.

Now you're ready to backup and protect your data against anything! Go to the online backup signup page or the getting started section for the next step to an effective, online backup solution!