Protecting Your Backup Files

Tips for protecting your backup files

Backing up is just the first step. You'll want your important personal files and information there when you need them. Here are a few suggestions to help you protect them.

• Get your information out of the house — or office. Keep your backups away from your computer — in a separate room, in a fireproof box. If you use a safety deposit box to protect valuable paper documents, keep your backup disks there, too.
• Make more than one copy. Keep the backups in two separate locations, so if disaster strikes one area, you still have your secondary backup.
• Keep your storage tidy. From time to time, delete old files or use compression software to compress information so it takes up less space — particularly if you are paying for storage.
• Protect your information with a password. Some media formats include password protection. Consider this feature if you will be backing up personal or sensitive information.

Hint: Write down your password and keep it in a secure location, such as a safety deposit box, along with your will and other personal documents. This will allow your loved ones to get your personal information if you can't.