“CyberGuy”: Spring Backup
Protecting your digital life with reliable physical backups isn’t just a precaution, it’s a necessity. Kurt Knutsson provides an important backup checklist.
It happens without warning. Simple hardware failures, nasty viruses, cyberattacks, software glitches, accidental deletions, and human errors can suddenly disrupt access to your personal data. It is clearer than ever that our personal data is vulnerable.
He is a privacy and security advocate and editor of the popular CyberGuy Report. You can subscribe to this report for free below. CyberGuy.com/Newsletter, I have always emphasized the importance of personal responsibility when it comes to data security. My top recommendation for protecting your precious memories, important documents, and the vast amount of personal data you’ve accumulated is simple. That means using your personal drive for backup.
woman on laptop (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Choosing the right backup tool
Spring is traditionally a time for cleaning, but this should also apply to digital hygiene. I do a deep cleaning of my personal data every year and always back up documents, family photos, and other irreplaceable items. Whether you’re using a Mac, PC, or even a Chromebook, nothing beats the peace of mind that comes with having a physical backup. Physical backup keeps control firmly at your fingertips.
man on laptop (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Recommended backup solution
One of my favorite tools to use for this task is wd portable drive, provides 2 terabytes of storage. Easy connection to your device via SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ensures fast and efficient data transfer and is fully compatible with Chromebooks. A reliable drive like this is a must. I use another similar his WD model for his MacBook and PC.
wd portable drive (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
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Back up your portable drive, unplug it, and store it in a safe place
In addition to regular, continuous backups in the cloud or another drive, I also have this WD drive that I connect to my Mac, PC, or Chromebook that can be disconnected and kept in a safe place away from hackers and attacks. It is used as an additional copy of data. other threats.
man typing on laptop (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
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What to back up: Digital checklist
When deciding what to back up from your computer, it’s important to prioritize important and irreplaceable documents, files, and memories. Here is a comprehensive list to consider.
1) Personal documents: Include items that may be difficult or time-consuming to replace, such as birth certificates, passports, social security cards, marriage certificates, wills, and other legal documents.
2) Financial records: This category includes bank statements, tax returns, investment records, and other financial documents essential for personal record-keeping and regulatory compliance.
3) Photos and videos: Family photos, vacation videos, special events like weddings and graduations, and other personal memories that can’t be recreated.
4) Work and education documents: If you use a computer for work or school, be sure to back up important projects, research papers, presentations, and related correspondence.
5) Email: Some emails may contain important information, contracts, or attachments that you may need to refer to later. Consider backing up or archiving important emails.
6) Contact information: Backing up your digital address book can save you a lot of trouble in case you lose access to your device.
7) Music and Media Collection: If you collect music, movies, and books digitally, backing up these files will help you avoid losing your collection.
8) Software and App Data: Back up settings and data for apps you use frequently, especially if they help you manage your schedule, finances, and health.
9) Website bookmarking: If you rely on bookmarks to navigate the Internet efficiently, backing them up can save you time in case you need to restore or switch to a new device.
10) Save game and profile: If you’re a gamer, backing up your game saves and profiles will prevent you from losing your progress in the event of a system failure.
11) Creation: Includes writing, artwork, design files, coding projects, and other personal or professional creative works.
The reality of digital threats, whether they come from ransomware attacks, viruses, or even cloud technical glitches, is a matter of when, not if. By maintaining physical backups of your most important data, you can keep what matters most safe even in the event of a digital catastrophe.
woman with phone and laptop (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Cart important points
Remember, protecting your digital life with reliable physical backups isn’t just a precaution, it’s a necessity. This spring, take the time to protect yourself from potential data disasters in the future. Remove your backup drive and store it in a safe place. This is a simple step that can save you a lot of heartache.
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