Backing up online

I have met many clients who back up their data file on a USB stick, like the one pictured. They then toss it in their car or purse and take it home. In theory, this is an okay way to keep your data. However, is it secure? What if you loose it? It has happened. I even met a client who was very proud to be backing up his data every day, however, he put the backup CD in his desk drawer in his office. I asked him, what would happen if you had a fire in your office building? Your computer would melt, as would the backup CD.

My recommendation is to use the online backup through QuickBooks, at www.backup.com. I back all of my data to a file folder and then select that file, along with my other data (i.e., office documents, excel spreadsheet, contacts, etc.) to this backup. There is no need to backup your programs as you can always get new CD's. I have it set to backup each evening. Since it is online, it is sent encrypted, therefore, very safe. I have also used this service to reinstall my data. I had a computer crash on me last year and was able to reinstate all my data from the online location. This was a wonderful thing since my computer died in my winter home in Florida. I was able to log in from there to my new computer and not miss a day of work. The service saves the backups with dates, so instead of overwriting your data, you have several backups. This way if you accidently change a document and want to go back to the one you had two days ago, you can log onto your backup account and find that one document and restore.

Works like a charm!
Lynda

PS. Heard sunshine may finally be coming our way here in Rhode Island on Thursday. 21 days of rain is dreary.