Backup – your digital lifeline

Imagine losing your phone. Or your computer gets hit by a virus and all your files disappear. It can happen suddenly – without warning.

But it doesn't have to mean everything is lost.

Backup means you have made a secure copy of your important things. Photos. Documents. Contacts. The things that matter to you.

If the worst happens, you can use the backup to recreate what you would otherwise have lost.

What is a backup?

A backup is an extra copy of your data stored somewhere other than the original. It could be in the cloud (like Google Drive, iCloud or OneDrive), on an external hard drive, a USB stick – or anywhere else you have access. The point is the copy is not on the same device as the original. That makes all the difference when something goes wrong.

If your computer breaks, your phone is stolen or a virus deletes everything, it all disappears if you don’t have a backup elsewhere. But if you made a backup, your important things are still safely waiting for you.

It's a bit like having a fire extinguisher at home. You hope you never need it – but you're really glad it's there if an accident happens. A backup might seem invisible in everyday life, but when crisis hits, it can mean the difference between “everything is gone” and “it just takes a little time to restore.”

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Why should you make backups?

Many people don’t think about backup until it’s too late. But when we keep our whole life on our phone and computer – photos, files, finances, messages – the loss can be both personal and practical.

Common causes of data loss:

  • Your phone is stolen or destroyed
  • You delete something by mistake
  • Your computer crashes or gets a virus
  • A hacker locks your files with ransomware

If you have a backup you can recover most of it – and avoid the desperation many feel when everything suddenly disappears.

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How do you make a backup?

You don't need to be technical to make backups. There are several options – the important thing is choosing one that suits you and your habits.

The easiest solution for most people is cloud backup. It works by automatically saving your photos and documents on the internet via services like iCloud, Google Drive or OneDrive. You just turn it on – and it runs by itself.

Another option is to use an external hard drive. You connect it to your computer and copy your files over. It takes a bit more manual work, but you have full control over your data – and no dependence on the internet.

But what is the most secure backup?

It's the one completely disconnected from the internet and inaccessible to hackers – also called an offline or air-gapped backup.

That means:

  • The physical backup device is not connected to the internet
  • It's stored somewhere safe – e.g. in a drawer, a safe or with a trusted person
  • It's only connected to your computer when you update the backup

This method protects you best against things like:

  • Viruses and malware
  • Hacker attacks and ransomware
  • Accidental deletions in the cloud

A good strategy can be to combine:

  • An automatic cloud backup for everyday safety
  • An offline backup as the last resort if everything else fails

Test your recovery before it matters

A backup is only valuable if you can restore your files – and it's best to figure out how before you face a crisis.

How to test your recovery:

  1. Open your backup program or cloud service and find the “Restore” function.
  2. Select a single test file – for example a photo or document – and restore it to a new location on your device.
  3. If you use an external hard drive, connect it and copy the file back manually.
  4. Open the file and check that everything is intact.

By practicing the process now, you know exactly what steps to take and avoid stress and panic if disaster strikes. It's like having tried a fire extinguisher before a fire – you react faster and more confidently when it counts.

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Good backup habits

The most important thing about backup isn't just doing it once – it's making it a habit. And the best way is to make sure it happens automatically. When backup runs in the background on its own, you don't have to remember it or stress about it. You set it up once – and it takes care of itself.

There are many systems and apps that can back up automatically. Some make a copy once a day, others every time you save something new. Whatever you choose, it's far better than hoping you'll remember it yourself.

But even if it runs automatically, it's a good idea to check your backup once in a while. See if it's actually saving what you think. Are your newest photos included? Are the documents up to date? And most importantly: Can you easily restore your things if needed?

It's like having a smoke alarm: it's not enough that it hangs on the ceiling – you also want to know the battery works.

Backup isn't about technology – it's about peace of mind

Backup isn't just for IT experts or people with important documents. It's for everyone who doesn't want to lose what they care about.

A holiday photo, an important letter, a digital memory – it can't be recreated if it disappears.

With backup you sleep a little more soundly at night.