a woman typing on a keyboard with Kingston XS2000 external SSD plugged into her PC

6 Simple Backup Tips for Your Computer

Computer users may not realize it until the time comes, but one of the worst things that could possibly happen to your system is your data becoming inaccessible. There are many ways this could occur: theft, power failures, liquid spillages, and the most notorious of all, storage corruption. Corrupted data means the files under question suddenly become unusable, whether this is memorable photos or classified files, backing your data up is a must!

If you haven’t made a backup of your chosen files before, the first time may take slightly longer depending on how much data you want to store. But once you get the bulk out the way, regular backups can become quite a simple task. We want to share with you some simple yet effective system backup tips which will hopefully make the task much easier. Let’s jump in!

1. Decide what data needs backing up

When it comes down to the decision of what to back up, the instant thought is work or personal files. These could include photos, videos, and documents which, if corrupted, could be impossible to replace. You can also have the choice of backing up apps, programs, and system settings you may want to keep a version of. All of this in turn will put your mind at ease, and if anything was to happen to your system you will have an updated version at arm’s reach.

2. Scheduling

If you always want to have the most updated versions of your files, then a schedule is a must-have plan! The pattern of your schedule will be very dependent on what you would like to back up. If it’s just personal files, then a less regular upload plan would be needed due to the smaller volume of data created per month. On the other hand, a working backup would need to be updated more frequently. Depending on your workload, a daily or weekly backup would be recommended. Check out our guide on how to setup and schedule automatic backups on Windows and MacOS.

3. Don’t just have a cloud backup

The cloud is probably one of the easiest ways to back up data, especially when you talk about phones and computer systems. This system of data collection can be automated, which makes it effortless for the user. Although this is a good way to back up your data, it shouldn’t be your only option. Cloud companies can be hacked and more frequently we have seen that the account conditions and agreements can change, which might put your files at risk. A monthly subscription could also prove more expensive than if the user was to purchase an external storage device instead.

4. Automation

Automatic backups require minimal effort, which is incredibly helpful in today’s world. It is simple to set up on the cloud and you can choose how regularly you would like to update your file saves. There is also an option to use the same process on your external storage devices through some programs on your system, these can include Windows® Backup/File History and macOS® Time Machine. All you need to do is type in ‘backup’ to the search bar and read the instructions if you wish.

5. 3-2-1 backup theory

So, this rule is based on the theory that you have three copies of your files: you store two copies on different devices (whether this is the cloud or external storage) and one copy in a secure location such as a safe or offsite. For some people, this theory could sound slightly overkill but if anything was to happen to your backups you will thank yourself!

6. Choosing the right external drive

When choosing the right external device for your backups, you need to think about not just the capacity but the durability and speed of the device too. External hard drives (HDDs) are a well-priced option for large amounts of data and can have great speeds, but they can be misplaced and dropping them will damage the insides and potentially make some data impossible to retrieve.

a hand typing a pin number on the IronKey VP80 SSD’s touch screen

External SSDs are seen as a slightly more expensive version of their HDD cousin, but it is well worth the purchase if you are open to spending a bit more. They are more durable, faster, and normally much smaller than HDDs, which makes them more portable. Kingston’s USB-C XS2000 External Solid State Drive is a great option for personal or work backups, with speeds up to 2,000MB/s read, 2,000MB/s write* and capacities ranging from 500GB – 2TB** there is a specification to suit every user’s need. It is a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 which reduces the wait time to transfer data from one device to another!

If you would like something more secure to protect your sensitive files, Kingston’s IronKey Vault Privacy 80 External SSD is FIPS 197 certified with XTS-AES 256-bit encryption. The color touchscreen will allow a multi-password (admin and user) option to ensure your data is protected at all times.

If an SSD isn’t your thing, Kingston also offers a range of storage options to suit your needs such as USB flash drives, SD and microSD memory cards. A reliable storage for personal photos, music, videos, and documents that keeps your files safe and accessible.

By choosing the right storage and following these simple tips, your backup processes will be a walk in the park!

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