So you’ve decided that you need digital backup for your files. How exactly do you start?
The way you’ll back up your digital files depends on which service you’ll be using. With well-known sites like Mozy, you’ll need to download and install their software. The installation process is usually short and simple – with Carbonite, another popular digital backup service, it takes only a few minutes, and you don’t have to restart or close any files you’re working on. Some services offer smartphone apps that also have to be downloaded.
Although digital backup is a great service – and an essential one – there are a few limitations to be aware of. This shouldn’t influence your decision to go digital, but it’s best not to be caught off guard.
While it’s usually easy to download the basic software for a service, uploading your data to its server is another story. Depending on the amount of data you’ve got, and the speed of your Internet connection, the uploading process could take, literally, days. The uploading process runs in the background while you’re working on other files, so it’s not that inconvenient – just lengthy.
The same thing is true if disaster strikes and you need to recover your files. Sending them back to your computer is, again, a lengthy process. Usually, the service just sends back your documents and files, not programs used to start up the computer itself. But you can have the files sent to another computer if you want. For an additional price, some services will also send you a DVD or USB drive with your data.
