How to backup computer Files Directories and More

The majority of us know that we should be backing up our data.If you've been lucky enough to never have a computer crash on you then realize that you're a lucky fella and there's never been a better time then right now to start backing up your important data.

There's a few tips and items you should familiarize yourself with before you select a backup method to use.Having an idea of the files you want to backup, keeping the process easy, and doing some research on the popular products before you buy are the main items you should keep in mind.

Know what Files and Data to Backup

Before you rush out to buy an expensive piece of software to backup your system you need to know what it is you want backed up.Some of the backup programs are designed to create complete system backups, how ever this is often more then the average computer user needs.

The majority of home PC users need their photos, videos, and Documents backed up but can skip all the system stuff. This is just a bit to technical to get into for the average computer user.

Go for Simple not Feature Rich

More features in a piece of backup software or online service doesn't automatically make that service or program better.Trust me when I tell you to avoid buying a service or program that is very feature rich. Get the features you need but to many features slows down the backup process, this will in turn make it difficult for you to stick to a regular backup routine.

Instead opt for a simple program, more specifically one that backups up your files all on it's own and only requires a one time setup.Two online backup services that meet these criteria are Carbonite Backup and Mozy Backup.

Do your Homework

Before you rush out not to purchase a program or subscribe to a service take a bit of time to read the latest online backup reviews, and ensure you're getting a good product. This just confirms that the software or service you've chosen is every bit as good as it claims to be.

A few minutes doing some research can save you a big headache later on if a service isn't easy to restore files that are backed up, or worse doesn't backup data correctly.