The Complete Guide to Backing Up Your Data

Losing data is devastating. Here's how to make sure it never happens to you.

The 3-2-1 Rule

• 3 copies of your data
• 2 different storage types
• 1 copy offsite (cloud)

Backup Options

Local Backup

• External hard drive
• NAS (Network Attached Storage)
• Second internal drive

Pros: Fast, no subscription Cons: Can be lost/stolen/damaged with computer

Cloud Backup

• Backblaze ($9/month unlimited)
• Google Drive (15GB free, $3/month 200GB)
• iCloud, OneDrive

Pros: Offsite, automatic Cons: Monthly cost, slower for large files

Hybrid Approach

Use both! Local for quick access, cloud for disaster recovery.

What to Backup

• Documents and work files
• Photos and videos
• Music library
• Game saves
• Software license keys
• Browser bookmarks

Automation is Key

Manual backups don't happen. Set up:

• Windows Backup (built-in)
• Cloud sync (Google Drive, Dropbox)
• Scheduled backups to external drive

Test Your Backups!

A backup you can't restore is useless. Periodically:

• Try restoring a file
• Check backup dates
• Verify file integrity

Data Recovery Services

Already lost data? Don't panic. Tekklina offers data recovery services in Victorville. We can often recover files from failing drives or accidental deletion.