Have you ever lost anything on your computer?

I bet you have!  (If you were to do backups online, you won’t lose it again!)

I’ve lost files and I have been working on computer systems for more than 25 years – including managing computer environments for companies ranging in size from 1 user to 17,000 users!

My name is Ron and  I am a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Windows Server Virtualization, Virtual Machine Manager,  and an Altiris Certified Engineer (ACE).  My job is Information Technology (IT) Consulting.

I build Active Directory networks and Microsoft Exchange E-Mail Systems for companies all over the United States.  Many of these companies have offices around the world.

I know a thing or two about backing up data.  I have seen businesses and individuals lose data and not have backups.  It’s not a pretty sight!

“Backing up data should be one of the top priorities of all home users and especially small business owners!  Backing up your data online is Smart!”

“Small Business Owners might think they are getting everything backed up and the tapes are getting taken off site as prescribed.”

Many times that is not the case.

Many times, the tapes are just sitting on top of the tape drive, or server, some not labeled properly, and often put back in the system and overwritten.  When you need them, the data isn’t there!

“Many small businesses only have a single tape drive. They just overwrite the data every night.”

Home users are usually in the same boat.  They purchase a secondary drive that is planned for storing pictures and backups, but they end up not checking the backup as often as they should.  Many times they just don’t understand what they are seeing and believe that the backup is working properly.

Six months later, you find that your backups were not running properly and that your data was vulnerable to loss.   If nothing was lost, count yourself lucky.

“Data loss can happen quickly and is most always completely unexpected!”

You can lose data in many different ways.

“I’ve seen it all  -

Hard drives go bad.  Buildings burn down.  Salt water damage.  Accidental reformatting of the hard disk!  Theft!  Disgruntled Employee!

I could go on and on…  Ok, I will!  (Hint:  Do backups online!)

Here is a list of more things that could happen that put your data at risk!

Lightning

Flood

Burst water pipes

Smoke damage (more dangerous than you think)

Food and beverages spilled into a vital system or laptop

Vandalism

Hurricane

Tornado

“If disaster strikes you tonight, would you be able to get your data back?”

Maybe!  Maybe NOT!

Maybe the tape drive functioned properly and maybe the restore will go as planned.

If you are a home user, maybe the data was on the external hard drive.

During these times, we rely on our computers more and more every day.  I can’t afford to lose all my data.  Can you?

Even if you have backups running every night, are you still safe?

Are you taking your backups off site every night?

The Solution:  Do Backups Online!

If you backup your data online every time a file is changed, or a picture is added, or a document is created, you would feel much safer about your data.

If there was a disaster and anything happened from the terrible list above, your data is safe.  Online backups are the way to go.

I have reviewed a couple of online backup services and have found that Mozy gets my recommendation.

They have a free service for up to 2 gigs of data and a very affordable unlimited service for the home user.

“Their Business Class service is an incredible value.”

So I strongly recommend you check out this service.

My second choice is Carbonite.  I have been using Carbonite for over a year and been very happy with the service.  Their business class service is not as strong as Mozy so that’s my main reason for recommending Mozy over Carbonite.  “I also use Mozy!”  I have several machines to back up…