Top Cyber Security Practices

Backing up the contents or your computer is critical

Most of us live digital lives.

Our computers contain vast amounts of data in many forms: from family photos and music collections to several years’ worth of financial records and personal contacts.

In fact, a recent NSCA/Symantec study found that more than 68% of Americans store more the 25% of their photos digitally. For most people, the loss of that information could be devastating.

There are many risks to our data, such as hardware or software malfunctions, natural disasters and emergencies—floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, house fires, and theft. But viruses, spyware, and cyber attacks are also externally launched events that can lead to data loss and can either destroy your computer or render it useless.

It’s not only big events that cause a data loss. Important files can be lost by accidental deletion as well.

Protect yourself against data loss by making electronic copies of important files, commonly referred to as a backup^G. Data backup is a simple, three step process:

1. Make copies of the data on your computer(s)
2. Select the appropriate hardware to store the backup data
3. Safely store the backup device that holds your copied files

Read on for further details on each of the steps.

1) Make copies of your data:

There are several software tools you can use to backup your computer. First, check to see if your computer already has backup software program installed; many programs do.

Most backup software tools will allow you to make copies of either everything on your computer (files and computer programs) or just the files you’ve changed since the last time you conducted a backup (thus you will always have copies of the most up-to-date versions of your files). For more information, see How to decide what data to back up.

Below are links to backup utilities in popular operating systems:

Windows XP: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/maintain/backupfiles.mspx

Vista: http://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/data/backup.mspx

MAC^G OS: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1553

Other software programs are available for purchase if your system does not have a backup program or you’re seeking other features.

Ideally, you should backup your files at least once a week. In some instances you might want to do an immediate backup, such as after you download 1000 family photos from the trip of a lifetime or invest time in digitally archiving your music collection.

2) Select the hardware to store your data

When you conduct a backup, the files will have to be stored on some kind of memory device—external hard drive, CD’s, DVD’s or USB flash drives (sometimes called thumb drives because of their size).

The option best for you depends on several factors, but the most important question to answer is: How much data do you have to backup?

If you don’t store much in the way of music, photos, videos, or other large files and mostly use your system for surfing the web and the occasional document, try using CDs, DVDs (if your computer has a CD or DVD drive that can “write” to that media), or a USB flash drive.

If your computer serves as the family photo and video album as well as your music library, the best bet is to get an external hard drive that plugs into your computer (preferably via a USB port).  This way you can assure more adequate storage space for all your files. Copying information will also be faster with these devices. Like most computer hardware, the prices of these devices have been dropping over the years, and become more affordable all the time. When viewed as the cost of insurance to protect you memories, music, and vital information, they seem inexpensive compared to the value of the loss.

If you don’t want to hassle with new hardware, there are online backup services available, usually for a monthly fee. You simply backup your files to a secure server over the Internet^G. These services have the added advantage of safely storing your files in a remote location (see below) and the files can be accessed anywhere you have a connection to the Internet and they will also be backed up at the remote location by the service provider. Please check to ensure the backup site you choose is a secured one. See How to recognize spoofed Web sites for more information on verifying secure sites.

3) Safely store the backup device that holds your copied files

Now that you have set up the software and started copying your files on a regular basis, you need to make sure you do the last important step: Keep the files on your backup device somewhere safe. The most secure practice is to keep your backed up data offsite. That way, should the unthinkable happen—house fire, natural disaster, or theft—you can recover your valuable files quickly. If you use an online backup service, you’ve already accomplished this goal.

Keep your backup device close enough so you can retrieve it quickly and easily when you do your REGULAR backup. Some ideas include:

• A trusted neighbor (you store your device at their house and they store theirs at yours).
• A nearby family member or friend.
• Your workplace, if it can be locked up, doesn’t violate workplace policies or the law.

If offsite won’t work for you, find a secure place in your home that would likely survive any natural disasters. For example, if flooding^G is a concern, keep the device somewhere above the worst possible flood threat^G. You may also want to consider keeping your backup in a bolted and/or fireproof box. For more information, see Tips for protecting your backup files.