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Budd:e

With the new school year upon us, it’s a great time for kids, teachers and families to learn about the simple steps we can take to stay safe and secure online

Back-up your data

For most people, the information they create and store on their computer—personal photos, email and documents—is more valuable than the actual physical box. They are irreplaceable if something goes wrong and you don’t have a proper back-up.

Creating a copy or a back-up of data is a sensible and easy way to help you recover your information from your computer if a virus destroys your files, or your computer is stolen or damaged.

Create a copy of all the data and programs on your computer and keep them in a secure location away from your computer and if possible away from your home.

Top tips

  • Make regular backups of critical data and programs on your computer. Store the backup disks in a secure location away from your computer.
  • Make sure you avoid needing to recover data by having good security practices in the first place. Install and use security software including a firewall and anti-virus and anti-spyware software.

On this page

  • How to back up your data

Fact sheets and resources

How to back up your data

  • Assess what data and programs on your computer need to be backed up and how often. For example, you will need to back-up operating and applications software when it is purchased. Once a month may be appropriate to back-up current and past client folders, email folders and files to do with your office, home accounts and finances.
  • Select a back-up device that is large enough to store the backed-up files and fast enough so it is not too time-consuming to do back-ups. Examples include CDs, DVDs, memory sticks or an external hard drive.
  • Make a repeat note somewhere obvious reminding you to do the back-up.
  • You can either:
    • back-up all the data and certain programs on your hard drive each time you do a back-up, or
    • perform incremental back-ups, which means that you only back-up the files that have changed since the last time you backed up.
  • Test the data that has been backed-up to make sure the process is working properly.
  • Store the back-up copies in a safe location away from your computer systems i.e. away from your home or business premises. Remember putting this information on portable media makes it vulnerable to physical removal so secure it.