Protect Your Data-Hardware and Software Solutions

Backing Up Data

Is backing up your data important. Yes. In fact, backing up your data is essential to protecting your data when human and/or equipment failures occur. Let's begin with different methods to protecting your data through simple hardware solutions.

Different Hardware Methods To Protect Your Data:

1. Internal Back-up Hard Drives - You can use an internal back-up hard drive to back up your data. Basically, all you need to do is piggy back an additional hard drive to your computer.

The second drive gives you the option of either manually putting your data over to the hard drive or you can use an application like Norton Ghost to move either your full system backup or folder backup to the recreated drive..

It should be noted that a hard drive lifespan is about 5 years. So if you're using your old hard drive as your back-up hard drive, be sure to keep track of the years left.

Here you can put all your important data on a different drive. Making your data accessible, if you find that 1) your main hard drive crashed; or 2) if your hard drive failed.

2. Portable external hard drive - A portable external hard-drive usually comes with an USB connection and an ac adapter. The portable external hard drive is a great device to use, however, be use to read the instructions.. Why? If you put the external hard drive into service on your computer incorrectly you can blow up your computer's USB ports. Usually this is the sequence that you should follow: 1) plug in the adapter first; 2) then plug the USB cable into the USB port.

If you plug the USB cable into your computer first, without plugging in your adapter into the electrical socket - the unit will begin pulling all the power it needs to make it work directly from the motherboard. The motherboard cannot handle this amount of pull, causing the USB port/ports to malfunction (die).

Since this is important, let me again say: To plug an USB unit/with adapter in you must: 1) plug in the adapter; then; 2) plug the USB cable into your computer. To remove the USB unit; 1) unplug the USB cable from your computer, then: 2) unplug the adapter.

3. Hard-Drive Dock/Hard Drive Toaster - A hard drive dock is a device that allows you to plug in your regular internal hard drives, as though they were pop-in flash drives. This is how it works.

A hard drive dock is a separate device that connects to your computer by way of a sub port. Some units offers hot-swap capability, allowing use with 2.5 and 3.5 SATA hard drives.

Here are things to be aware of:

Look at high big of a hard drive they are capable of running

Whether they are compatible with Windows or Mac operating systems

Whether it works with 2.5 SATA or 3.5 SATA or both. FYI, a good solid unit is the ThermalTake, and it's price is around $39.99.

This is how the unit works. You drop in your hard drive, and the dock instantly gives your system access to the drive, no wiring, no power connections, it's done by the hard drive toaster.

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4. Online Hard-Drive Backup Support - More and more companies are offering online backup support. For example, for the consumer, Mozy, offers a free and paid service- free service limits your backup support to around 2 gig. (If you're looking for the free service, click on the link and look under "Home" link.)

MozyPro--secure online backup is the service they offer to business to backup their hard drives.

5. USB-Flash Drives – Flash Drives make a quick backup option. Not only are they reasonable but their useful life is 10 years. Several things to note. The USB 2.0 drive offer faster downloads than the USB 1.0 drive. Recommend buying a USB Drive/Flash Drive that states "no drivers needed".

6. CDs- Life of a CD-R or CD-RW can be used for a 1000 rewrites. They have a life span of 5 to 10 years, depending upon care. It’s great for small amounts of data but not large data storage.

7. DVD-Like the CD life span is about 1000 rewrites, Life span is considerably longer however they are more acceptable to scratching and that can make them useless.

8. Zip Drives- The Iomega Zip Drives are compatible with both Mac and the PC. Zip drives are a good option for storing large amounts of data. They are faster and more durable than the floppy. There life span can range from 2 to 10 years. One downside to the zip drive: Prone to failure, causing you to lose your data. Just like the hard-drive-if you begin to hear strange noises, it time to move your data from the old zip drive to a new zip drive.

9. Floppy Drive- The life span of a floppy is about 2-years. The floppy drive is giving way to the flash drive due mainly to the fact it is one of the most vulnerable of all the data storage options.

If you've worked with a floppy you know that they are sensitive to hot and cold, and magnets.

In addition the few external parts that a floppy has, can, after a period of time, fall apart in your hands or in your floppy drive. Both have happened to me.

I've noticed that a lot of new computers are not even installing the floppy drive, instead they are putting several USB ports in the front of the tower for Flash Drives. However, it is still a media that is used on occasion.

Some people who do not have a floppy drive on their computer utilize instead, a portable floppy drive. However, if you feel that you need and want a floppy drive (as I do) you can get a floppy drive that incorporates USB2.0, photo card read, etc in one unit.

Power Surges

Power Surges, spikes, electric brownouts (power dims) can all affect the life of your equipment. Power surges can damage your components over time, and eventually cause your equipment to stop working before it's set in obsolesce is reached.

Thus, to protect all your equipment from spikes or lightning choose a surge protector that is designed to cover all lines that connect to your equipment.

What To Consider When Buying A Power Surge Protector

How do you determine which power surge protector you need? You need to know how much joules capabilities a surge protector can absorb to protect your equipment.

Energy absorption- the higher the level of joules that a surge protector has, the better the protection. You should have at least a joules rating of 400 joules-but more is better.

Response time-There is usually a delay in the response time of different grades of power surge protectors. <1 nanosecond is a quality response time.

Connected Equipment Warranty Guarantee - If you want and need the optimum protection. Look for a power surge protector that comes with a connected warranty guarantee. If the surge or spike does not protect your equipment, the company has to replace your equipment.

Software Solutions To Protecting Your Data

If you work on the Internet or spend a lot of time online, then you should invest your money in a good Internet Security Software program. Internet security software will protect you from online threats. This is one software that you should always keep in your yearly budget.

In addition, you should keep your operating system current (If you use any of Microsoft's operating systems that is an easy chore. Just go into your Control Panel, then Security Center and set the Automatic Updates to Automatic).

Power Protection - Good Investment

Power Protection for your office is in truth-a good investment. Why? It protects the life of your office equipment. So...

If you are in an area where your electricity has a tendency to go out on a more than usual basis, then you should look into a battery backup system.

What is a Battery Backup System? A Battery Backup System will defend your computer, modem, fax machine and other equipment from power threats, keeping your hardware and data protected. It can help prevent surges, spikes and even lightning from damaging your system. And-the battery backup will keep your computer up and running when the power goes out, giving you time to properly shut it down.

Note: If your system was hit by a lightning strike and the battery backup system did it's job and protected your equipment-be aware, that the backup system may not have it's full protective potential after the hit.

HARDWARE LIFESPAN

Knowing the lifespan of your hardware can give you a heads up on protecting your data. For your convenience, here is a quick rundown of the average lifespan of some of your typical hardware.

1. Modem - 5 years (if you need a external modem-with satellite connection you need to make sure the modem is well ventilated to extend the life of the modem.)

2. Computer - 2 to 5 years (You're probably been left behind and will find that you need to upgrade just to run the new programs)

3. Monitor - In most cases your monitor will last for a long time and will not become obsolete until the operating system(s) no longer supports the monitor. But when you have the opportunity, and the money to upgrade you should upgrade, because the newer monitors can offer better protection for your eyes and health.

4. Hard Drives - 5 years at most - This is an easy upgrade, the main thing to remember is to check your system. When purchasing a new hard drive be aware of the type of interface your PC uses. It can be the older ATA interface or the new SATA. Always check your computer specifications. It can save you a lot of headaches.

5. CD/DVD- 3 to 5 years. Upgrades should come when you need more speed and functionality.

6. Video cards - 3 to 5 years. Don't need to upgrade the video card, unless you need more functionality. Again check your stats for specifications.

5. Flash Drives - 10 years

6. Printers -- 4 years. You can only stretch the usefulness of your printer as long as the company updates the software for the printer. Once the software is obsolete, so it the printer.

7. Scanners -- 3 years

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