Introduction
Backing up data is one of the most important things you can do to protect your files and information. However, it’s easy to make mistakes that render your backups ineffective. In this article, I’ll share the most common backup blunders people make and how to avoid them. Proper backups can save you from catastrophe – follow these tips and sleep easy knowing your data is safe.
Not Having a Backup at All
The most egregious backup mistake is not having any backup at all. Without a backup, a single drive failure or accidental deletion could mean losing your files forever. I’ve made this mistake before and lost years of photos and documents when my hard drive died. Don’t let this happen to you! Implement a backup solution right away, whether it’s local external drives or a cloud backup service. The peace of mind of having your files backed up is well worth it.
Backing Up Too Infrequently
One of the biggest backup mistakes is not backing up frequently enough. I used to only back up my computer every few months. In that time, I could have lost days or weeks of work if a failure occurred. The ideal frequency is daily incremental backups combined with weekly full backups. This ensures you never lose more than one day’s work while also maintaining multiple versions of files. Set reminders to back up so you don’t let it slip.
Relying on a Single Backup Copy
Having just a single backup copy can also lead to trouble. If that external drive fails or gets lost/stolen, you’re still out of luck. Always maintain at least two backup copies – one local and one in the cloud, for example. This protects against both hardware failure and events like theft or natural disaster. Some cloud services like Backblaze even let you mail in a hard drive to “restore” your backup in case of catastrophic data loss or hacked online account.
Improper Storage of Backup Drives
Many people make the mistake of storing their backup drives improperly. External hard drives and USB drives are vulnerable to physical damage, theft, fire, water damage, and more. I’m guilty of just throwing mine in a drawer! Treat backup drives with care, and keep them in a secure, climate-controlled location. Consider a fireproof safe or safety deposit box for optimal protection. At the very least keep it somewhere high and dry.
Backing Up System Files Only
While it’s crucial to back up system files and the operating system, people often neglect to also backup their personal files and folders. Photos, videos, documents, music – these can be impossible to replace if you only back up system files. Always include your User folder contents in your backup routine. Most backup software will do this automatically, but double check to be sure. Don’t lose your priceless memories and work!
Forgetting to Test Restores
The only way to know your backup is working properly is by performing test restores. Simply having backup copies isn’t enough – you need to verify you can successfully restore files and folders. Test your restoration process monthly. Spot check different file types and folders, from both local and cloud backups. This ensures your backups are working as intended when you eventually need them.
Not Encrypting Backups
Unencrypted backups are vulnerable to unauthorized access if lost or stolen. Always use encryption when backing up sensitive personal data. Enable backup encryption settings in your software. For local external drives, consider using encrypted containers like VeraCrypt to store your backups. The minimal effort is worth it for the enhanced security and peace of mind.
Forgetting to Back Up Mobile Devices
In today’s world, so much of our data resides on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. But it’s easy to overlook backing them up! Losing that data would be devastating. Remember to implement backups for ALL of your devices, using built-in tools or third party apps. iCloud, Google Photos, and Android Backup are great options that run automatically in the background once set up. Don’t have an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality when it comes to mobile backup.
Not Verifying Backups Completely
Backup software will report if a backup job has errors or warnings. But few people take the time to actually verify backups completed 100% successfully. Scan backup logs for any red flags, and check sizes of backups vs source data. An incomplete backup is better than nothing, but you may be missing important files you assumed were backed up. Take the extra few minutes to thoroughly verify each backup job.
Conclusion
Avoiding these common backup mistakes can save you from devastating data loss. Implementing a robust backup strategy with local and cloud redundancy, encryption, and testing will go a long way. But the most important thing is to simply START backing up if you haven’t already. Don’t wait another day to protect your irreplaceable data! What backup tips would you add? Let me know in the comments.
