Roadmap for backing-up
Making a back-up is simple to do. Back-ups can be made on various information carriers (USB-stick, CD or DVD) or on the hard disc of your own computer, another computer, an external hard drive or in the cloud.
Secure, if possible, your mobile information carrier. Like for example an USB-stick with a code or biometric (fingerprint authentication). You can also use encryption (encrypt messages). Don't forget your password when using encryption; otherwise the data is lost to you!
Manually backing-up
1. Determine which file needs backing-up
2. Find out how big the file is and decide which medium you are going to use. Is it a small file than use an USB-stick or a writeable CD. For large files put the back-up onto a DVD, another hard disc or another computer. To make files smaller, in order to take up less storage space, ‘packaging’ or ‘zipping’ the data could be an option. Than perhaps it is also possible to use a USB stick or CD.
3. Download free compression for programs such as 7-Zip (which you can use to encrypt files). Select the files for the back-up and copy them to the other storage medium.
4. Check the storage medium to see if the correct file indeed is on there.
5. Make a good habit of making back-ups from your files. Do it for example always at the end of the week or every time you change an important file.
6. Are you making back-ups from encrypted data; then make sure the back-up is encrypted too.
Automatically backing-up
1. Install a back-up program. A free download program , for example, is 2BrightSparks.
2. Close all programs you have opened before getting started with the back-up. These programs can be in the way and also significantly slow down the process of backing-up.
3. Determine which from which file you want to make a back-up (name and location).
4. See how big the file is and decide which storage medium will be used for the backing-up.
Is it a small file; use an USB-stick or a writeable CD. For larger files use a writeable DVD, another hard disc or another computer. The data can also be zipped; so it uses up less storage space and than perhaps it is still possible to use an USB-stick or a CD.
A free download program to make zip files is for example: 7-Zip.
5. Select the files you want to back-up and copy them to the other storage medium.
6. Check the storage medium to see if the correct file indeed is on there.
7. Set a time for the program to make the back-ups for you. After the first time check if it indeed has worked.
DON'T FORGET TO CHECK TE BACK-UP!
Just backing-up is not sufficient; check every once in a while if the back-ups are made and are usable! To make sure the files are useable; put one back and open it. Do this at least one time but preferably more often. Only then you can be sure that the set-up cycle for the back-ups is complete and usable.
Finally
Put your backup in a safe place, preferably in a different location. Prevent it getting lost in the event of a fire or through theft. Store the backup with a friend, family or at another location far away from your work- and study place .