Backups for beginners

In short: A backup is a second copy of your important data in another place. Rule of thumb 3-2-1: three copies, on two media, one of them off-site.

In more detail: Disks break, devices get stolen, ransomware encrypts data. Without a backup, photos, documents and work are gone. A backup only helps if it runs regularly and has been tested.

In Depth

• What to back up: Documents, photos, school work, password-manager export.
• Where to: External disk, a second USB stick, cloud storage (OneDrive, iCloud, Google Drive).
• 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies, 2 different media, 1 in another place.
• Automatic: Windows “File History” or cloud sync. Regularly instead of “sometime”.
• Test: Restore a file now and then to check it works.
• Cloud ≠ backup: Sync also mirrors deletions. A real backup keeps older versions.
• Disposal: Wipe old storage devices securely before throwing them away.

See also: The cloud for beginners, Using the recycle bin