| Data Protection |
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by Clay Cushman – Lead Technician
Data Backup What is a data backup and why should I implement one? A data backup is a copy of your data that you keep in case something unexpected happens to your original data. A sad but true fact of life is that computers do break—hardware failure, malware (such as virus and advertising software), data corruption, hacker intrusion, natural disasters, and power outages are some of the things that we see happen to computers on a daily basis. Since everyone is using computers more in their day to day lives to store their photos, music, videos, and e-mails, it becomes even more essential to implement some sort of data backup in case the unthinkable happens. Backups can also be a safeguard against user errors—did your child accidentally delete the family photo collection to install the latest video game? A reliable, working, and routine backup helps to alleviate the worry.
What are the different ways that I can back up my data? There are several options when it comes to data backups, and since everyone has unique needs, there is no single solution that will meet the demands of every computer user. It depends on what you are looking for in terms of reliability, ease of use, and cost. The most economical way to create a very basic backup is to burn essential data to a CD or DVD. This can be effective and cheap, but storage space is limited and there may not be enough space on a CD/DVD disc for the average media collection. CDR and DVDR media can only be written to once, and CDRW and DVDRW have limited rewrite capability. It is also time consuming for the user, and storing the CDs and DVDs can become a organizational headache. A solution similar to the CD / DVD method is using a tape drive to do backups. A tape drive uses magnetic tape similar to an audio or video cassette to store data. The tapes are reusable, and the amount of storage can be scaled to meet the needs of most users. Tape backups are time-tested, reliable, and still widely used for day to day backups. Tape storage space is significantly better than a CD or DVD, but tape drives are slower, and may require maintenance from time to time. Tape drives can also be a bit pricy, depending on the amount of storage and reliability the end user is looking for. However, they are still a de-facto standard for professional backups, and the ability to take tapes off-site adds an extra layer of security. Another popular option is to buy another hard drive and schedule regular backups to run, storing the data on the second drive. This method has the advantages of requiring less interaction on behalf of the user, plus better storage capacity so that a more complete backup can be made. There is also the option of using external USB or Firewire drives allowing the user to take the drive off-site to protect against natural disasters. The downsides to this method are cost (since hard drives are more expensive in the short term), and the setup required to implement the solution, which takes a little more advanced level of computer skill. A backup solution that has been gaining popularity lately, but is still not widely adapted is a remote off-site backup. This is a backup that is done over a network connection (usually the internet) to a computer that is “off-site”—usually in a data center or another company building. There are several companies, us included, that offer this service for a monthly charge. Additionally, you can have a professional set up a custom off-site solution to back up to any location you choose. The advantages to this method are flexible cost, reliability, and storage space can be tiered to meet the needs of any business or individual. The data is also off-site in case of a natural disaster. A disadvantage to this method is that it tends to be slower than a tape or hard drive backup, and getting your system back online after a catastrophe takes much longer. There are emerging technologies that can be applied to backup solutions, and usually a combination of two or more existing backup technologies can be very beneficial. It is best to contract a professional to get their aid in setting up a solution that can be right for you, and ensure that it is working right from the beginning .
Protecting Your Data Another aspect to data integrity is knowing what to look for in order to avoid data disasters, and doing a little “preventative maintenance” to keep things running smoothly. Hard disk drives are the center of all data storage on modern PCs. They are a complex collection of moving parts and magnetic surfaces that provide the home for your data. An unfortunate truth about hard drives is that they will not last forever. That means at some point, your hard drive will fail. Doing regular backups on a regular basis and looking for signs of trouble are essential to maintaining your important data and your sanity. If you ever experience any of the following symptoms, create a backup (if possible) and contact a computer professional immediately:
Preventative maintenance is a great way to keep your computer running better, as well as extend the life of your PC. A word of warning, though: if there is a problem with the hard drive, doing a defragmentation or check disk may cause more damage and create some serious problems. If you are in doubt about the condition of your drive, contact a computer professional before performing these actions. Defragmentation (commonly known as a “defrag”) works by re-organizing the data on the disk so that it is easier for the computer to read. It is a good way to speed things up and create a little less wear and tear on the drive. A disk check lets the computer take a look at the overall health of the files on your system. Scheduling regular disk checks can help to identify problems and fix file system issues. Doing a disk cleanup removes temporary files that are no longer needed. Keeping the drive clear of unnecessary temporary files will help free up some space and may speed things up a bit. Most computer shops, including ours, will offer maintenance packages to keep your computer clean and healthy, and may also look for any signs of trouble to avoid problems in the future. Accidents will happen Accidents are a part of human nature, but when the accident involves destroying essential files or irreplaceable photos, the impact is definitely worse. The recycle bin or trash bin’s main purpose is to try to prevent the accidental deletion of files. It allows you to “sort through the trash” looking for any file you may have deleted, giving you the chance to get it back. Of course, as soon as you “empty” it- those files are gone forever. If you ever accidentally delete a file you didn’t mean to or, even worse, accidentally format or re-partition a drive—stop immediately and call a computer professional. Every second that the computer is on the chance of recovering deleted files decreases. In conclusion, keeping regular backups of your most important files and keeping your eyes and ears out for unusual sounds and error messages will ensure that those important documents, pictures, music collections, and whatever else is dear to you on your computer will be kept safe. Compumedic offers a complete line of products and services to assist you in setting up a reliable backup solution, tailored to your needs.
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As we turn to computers to help us with our business, our organization, our entertainment, and our communication, their importance in our lives is growing almost exponentially. Of course, computers are machines that aren’t perfect, and almost anyone can relate to the horror stories of the dreaded “hard disk crash.” Without a doubt, it is becoming increasingly important to protect the lifeblood of the computing world: data. The goal of this column is to cover a few subjects that will help keep your computer running as smoothly as possible, and help ward off the catastrophe of a total data loss.