Gary Helm
Information Technology Specialist
204 Hickory Oak Hollow
Cumming, GA 30040

Mon-Fri 9am-6pm
Evenings & Saturday by Appointment

770-744-2084 Email Gary at GaryHelm.Net

Near Me: Cumming Georgia, Forsyth County GA, Dawsonville GA, Gainesville GA, Dahlonega GA, Lake Lanier, Free Home GA, Ball Ground GA, Johns Creek GA, Milton GA


Cybersecurity Awareness Month

BACK IT UP

"Things Happen"

- When your computer, tablet, phone or other device quits working, having a backup can save the day. When your systems are compromised by a cyber-attack or failed update, having backup systems can save the day. It is not a question of "IF" something will happen. It is a reality "WHEN" something happens. Will you be ready?

I regularly see clients who have no backup, or the backup is several years old.

Two easiest and most common ways for Home and Small Office users to backup are either locally or to the cloud, or both.

How one Backs Up is as important as having a backup.

If you have good data backed up and replace it with corrupt data, the previous backup does you no good.
Do Full and Incremental backups separately.
If your backup is an instantly syncronized copy of everything, that does no good for corrupted recovery files.

BACKUP LOCALLY


Simply copy your important documents and pictures to a USB flash drive. And then regularly add new and updated documents and pictures as needed.

Or use an external or PORTABLE DRIVE to backup your important files.
Some external and portable drives contain backup software, ready to use. Just install the software and schedule your backups.
It can be that simple.


Western Digital

Western Digital has a wide range of products to chose from. From simple memory cards, flash drives, SSDs and HDDs, local and cloud backups and massive storage capabilities.
Western Digital has something for your data storage needs.

Western Digital
Western Digital
Western Digital


BACKUP TO THE CLOUD


Backing up to the cloud can be just as easy as backing up locally, plus some products give multiple options of cloaning your whole computer as well as backing up your important files.


Two of the best Cloud backups are iDRIVE and ACRONIS TRUE IMAGE. These services can backup your files and or backup your entire computer.

  • iDrive is consistantly listed to have the best overall cloud backup.
  • Acronis True Image is considered to have the most robust security.

Either is an excellent choice for Cloud Backup.


iDrive

"Backup multiple PCs, Macs, iPhones, iPads and Android devices into a single account."

iDrive can also clone your entire computer to recover it to a point-in-time, in the event of a disaster.
And automatically backup your files, data and pictures on a regular schedule.

Acronis

"The most reliable cyber protection software on the market.
Be protected from the unexpected. The complete cybersecurity protection you need with an easy-to-use and reliable solution against data loss, cyberattacks, and identity theft.*
* Only available in the U.S. for Advanced and Premium subscriptions."

Acronis True Image 2020
Acronis True Image 2020
Acronis



One Last Note:
I know this is against conventional wisdom but Please Keep an Updated Paper Copy of Service Provider Accounts, User Names, Passwords and PINs.
Conventional recommendations are do not write them down, but I see too many people who have no way of retrieving critical information when needed.
If you do make a paper copy, be sure to store it in a Safe Location, such as a fireproof safe. That way when you need them, they are not "somewhere on the computer" that isn't working. Or if you need your cloud backup, you have your account information.

Stay Safe