Backing up ought to be compulsory, with a course that includes listening to the horror stories of data loss from others.
Likewise, a portable hard drive or network storage appliance should be an absolute must have.
But, while data recovery might be possible on the cheap, it's far better to protect your data now for peace of mind. It needn't cost you a penny, so read on and take action while you still can.
1. FBackup
Free back-up tools are ten-a-penny, but rely on you knowing where key folders and settings like your email are stored. FBackup lets you back up both files and settings using free plug-ins, with Outlook Express and Windows Mail included as standard.
2. Allway Sync
File-sync utilities offer a good way of backing up specified folders to remote locations. Allway Sync is free for personal use, and supports FTP and networked locations as well as external drives. It also features a built-in scheduler for automatic synchronising too.
WIDE SUPPORT: Allway Sync can sync your files to an external or networked hard drive
3. Mozy Free
Online backup gives you the opportunity of storing your files in a secure, remote location. Mozy Free offers 2GB of free online storage space for your files and key settings - other free services offer more, but only Mozy gives you access to a built-in app that backs up automatically as new files are added and existing ones changed.
4. Buddy Backup
Here's a neat alternative to a costly online backup service: Buddy Backup enables you to specify "buddies" - specific PCs you trust (such as those of friends and family), and then uses P2P technology to back up your files to those computers. Your files are encrypted for security, and multiple revisions are stored too. The biggest drawback: your buddies must be online for the backups to take place, and should you need to restore any files.
5. Macrium Reflect Free
This is one of the best free drive-imaging tools out there: user-friendly interface, support for a wide range of back-up media (including CD and DVD), rescue disc creation and the ability to mount your image as a drive letter in Windows for browsing and recovering individual files.
6. FileHamster Lite
This handy free tool can be set to watch specific folders for file changes, enabling you to store different versions of the same file - now if you accidentally make an unwanted revision, you can undo it quickly and painlessly.
7. NetSetMan
This tool ostensibly allows you to manage up to five network profiles for your laptop, but it effectively acts as a back-up tool for all your network settings too.
8. MozBackup
Back up and restore entire profiles for Mozilla-based apps, including Firefox, Thunderbird, Songbird and SeaMonkey. Backups are stored in your Documents folder by default, so pick another drive for greater security.
9. Foxmarks/X-Marks
A shiny new name for Foxmarks doesn't detract from the fact it's the perfect tool for backing up and synchronising your Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari bookmarks and passwords across multiple PCs.
10. DriverMax
While drivers are easily replaceable, it can be a bind having to reinstall them all singly. DriverMax enables you to back up and restore driver sets, plus identify unknown drivers and check for the latest updates online.
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Like this? Check out 10 essential tips for recovering lost files
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Your comments (3) Click to add a new comment
gandharva81
July 6th
3. Okay As I Understand that this is also one of the best site which where there is 10 steps to follow during and backing up your data.
All it depends on users choice and interactions not performance.
Any one whom you like please advice me about this online backup.
I would be very very thankful to all of you.
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cloudberryman
April 9th
2. There is a new kid on the block - online backup product that will come out later this month called CloudBerryDrive. It will
be powered by amazon S3 reliable and cost efficient storage. If you want to take part in early beta and perhaps get a discount later sign up on the website http://cloudberrydrive.com What safer place to keep your files than Amazon's servers?
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no1nate
April 8th
1. My favorite is iDrive, www.idrive.com . I'm not sure if there's a difference between all of these, but it works for me. I get 2 GB for free. That wasn't enough for my home computer, so I pay $4.95/mo. for like 150 GB of room.
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