1. Regularity. Making backups should be as regular as brushing your teeth in the morning.
2. Examination. Check the backup you just made. It will be very disappointing if, at a particularly tense moment, your lifesaver turns out to be a dummy. Open several files from the archive and make sure they work.
3. Separation. It is better to store backups not in one place, but at least in two. For example, on an external hard drive and in the cloud. After all, disks sometimes fail, and cloud storage may be unavailable at the right time.
4. delimitation. Divide into several clear categories what you are going to store. Data of different importance requires a different approach to archiving.

System solutions

Windows

Windows has a regular backup and restore tool that allows you to save both individual files and an entire image from which you can restore the system in case of failure.

Windows 7

Go to the "Control Panel" by left-clicking on the "Start" button and selecting the appropriate item. In the "Control Panel", select "System and Security" → "Computer Backup" → "Set up Backup".

Next, the system will ask you to specify a location to save the archive. Please note that if you want to back up data from drive C, you will not be able to save it there. To do this, you will have to select another medium, such as a second physical disk, flash drive, DVD, or folder in local network. If you recall the principles of creating a backup, the archive must be stored on a separate medium, and not on the very computer from which the copy was made.

Next, the system will prompt you to automatically or manually select folders for archiving. Click on “Give me a choice” and in the window that opens, check the boxes for the folders you want to save. Click Next → Save Settings and Exit.

Now in the "Backup or restore files" window there is a button "Archive". Clicking on it will start the process of archiving your data.

Recovery follows the same principle. To do this, click on the item "Select another backup to restore files" and specify the one into which the backup was performed.

Windows 8 and above

The built-in File History tool allows real-time archiving. It only requires initial setup to work.

Go to "Control Panel". To do this, click on the "Start" button with the right mouse button and in context menu find the line you want.

As a storage location, select a drive other than the system drive, a USB flash drive, or network folder. Click "Enable".

"File History" will automatically copy the following libraries: "Documents", "Music", "Images", "Videos" - and standard user folders: Windows, "Desktop", "Favorites".

By default, backups are made every hour, but you can change this time, for example, to 10 minutes. However, this will require more disk space. The retention time for each copy can be configured in the Advanced Options menu.

macOS

Time Machine is Apple's standard solution for creating backups applications, files and folders, documents, videos, music.

To work with Time Machine, you will need a third-party storage device, such as a flash drive, external hard drive, or network solution.

When you connect an external drive to your Mac, you should be asked if you want to use it as backup storage? Select "Use as a backup drive".

If the window does not appear, the backup drive must be selected manually:

• go to the menu and open time settings machine;
• click on "Select backup disk";
• select the one you want and click on "Use disk".

Backups will be automatically created once an hour, copies for the past month - every day, and backups for all time - every week. Do not be afraid that the volume of your hard drive will be small. Time Machine will save only changed information, and old copies will be automatically deleted as disk space fills up.

Android

Android Backup Service

Designed to create backup copies of data Google accounts. With it, you can save:

• data about Wi-Fi networks;
• desktop wallpaper;
• Gmail settings
• applications Google Play;
• language and input settings;
• date and time;
• row settings third party applications.

To create a backup you need:

• open device settings;
• go to "Personal data" → "Restore and reset";
• turn on Data Backup.

To restore data on another device, just log in with your account. To restore the settings of saved applications, go to "Personal" → "Backup and Reset" → "Auto Restore".

Synchronization

Android has a built-in synchronization tool that allows you to save user contacts installed from Google Play apps, calendar, display settings, languages ​​and input methods, Google data Drive and settings for some third-party applications. The tool requires a mandatory Google account.

Synchronization in Android is enabled by default. If you want to get the latest backup, do the following:

• open phone settings;
• in the "Accounts and sync" section, select Google;
• check the boxes and click "Synchronize".

The data will automatically be sent to the cloud Google storage. To restore them on another Android device, just connect your account.

You can also synchronize most popular accounts: Skype, Telegram, Viber and VKontakte. To sync photos and images, Android has a built-in google solution photo.

iOS

iTunes

Apple's universal app for getting and playing content. Allows you to locally save data from a device connected to a computer under Windows control or macOS. This is especially handy when you don't have internet access.

To create a copy using iTunes, do the following:

• connect the device to the computer;
• go to the "Devices" tab;
• click Sync.

• Photo;
• notes;
• list of contacts;
• calendar;
• SMS/MMS messages;
• Safari browser;
• access point settings;
• application data;
• view of the main screen.

iCloud

Cloud service for storing user data. Like any cloud, it has two limitations: the need for Internet access and a relatively small (5 GB) amount of free dedicated space.

To save data when iCloud help On your device, open Settings → iCloud → Backup and start the backup process.

Stored in iCloud:

• purchase history in the App Store;
• Photo;
• Phone settings;
• application data;
• view of the main screen;
• ringtones;
• voice mail.

Software

Windows

License: commercial software.

Russian language support: there is.

A simple backup solution. Allows you to save both individual files (photos, music or movies) and mail files, for example from Microsoft Outlook or TheBat.

In the main window of the program, click "Create new task» → «Create a backup copy». From the catalog tree, select the data you want to save. In our case, this will be the Music folder on the desktop.

Finally, give the task a name and click Finish. Archiving completed.

The same principle applies to data recovery. Select the saved backup, and then specify where you want to restore it.

The trial period for using the program is 30 days. The developers offer to purchase the full basic version for 800 rubles. There are other versions of Handy Backup - Professional and Expert. Their capabilities are much wider and tailored for professional needs, but for our purposes, the Standard version is enough.

License: shareware software.

Russian language support: no.

Another solution for creating backups and recovering lost files. The interface is so simple and clear that even the absence of the Russian language will not be an obstacle.

First of all, choose where to save the data. Let it be removable disk E.

The next step is to specify the data to save. The program offers both a smart choice, where you can mark desktop files at once, system folders"Pictures" or "Videos" and a directory tree. Go to it and save the already familiar "Music" folder.

After clicking on the checkmark, the archiving window will open. On the selected disk, the program automatically creates the Genie TineLine folder, where it places the saved files.

Save and restore features are available in the basic version of Genie Timeline Free. The extended paid versions of Genie Timeline Home and Genie Timeline Pro have much more features: sending email notifications, encrypting data with a high degree protection and scheduling. But for saving home files, the Free version is enough.

Genie TineLine has an iOS app with which you can check the status of backups on your computer.

License: commercial software.

Russian language support: there is.

Powerful backup and restore tool. You can store backups not only on physical disks, but also on Acronis' own cloud service. True, for this you will have to subscribe for a year, and the amount of space provided will depend on tariff plan. With a standard subscription, 50 GB is allocated, with the purchase of a premium version - from 1 TB.

Immediately after installation, the program prompts you to choose what data to send to the copy: from the entire computer, from disks and partitions, or individual folders.

Select "Files and Folders" and select the ones you want. Let it again be the "Music" folder on the desktop. Click "OK" and proceed to the storage selection.

Select flash drive E, click "OK" again → "Create a copy". A copy of the Music folder is created on a flash drive.

Acronis has others useful features. For example, "Archive" allows you to free up disk space by compressing large files, and the "Disk Clone" tool creates a complete copy of local disks, which, in case of failure, will allow you to restore the initial state systems.

The cost of the program is 2,700 rubles. A standard subscription for a year will cost users 2,400 rubles, an extended one - 5,100 rubles. Mobile applications work in conjunction with the desktop version and are downloaded for free.

macOS

Carbon Cope Cloner

License: commercial software.

Russian language support: no.

A utility for creating a duplicate disc. Support for the Russian language is not provided, but it will not be difficult to understand the interface.

In Source Disk, select the disk you want to copy. In Target Disk, specify the location to store the copy. Start the process with the Clone button.

The free period of using the program is 30 days. After the Carbon Cope Cloner will cost 2,405.65 rubles.

Android

License: shareware software.

Russian language support: there is.

A convenient solution for backing up and syncing apps on Android without requiring root rights. However, for full-fledged work, you will have to install Helium on a computer running Windows, Linux or macOS.

After installing the application on your smartphone, you will immediately receive a notification about the need for a desktop version. For ease of installation and saving time, the program offers to send a link to a user-friendly messenger or by email. From there follow the link to the program website, download and run. Installation in the style of "Next" → "Next" → "OK" is straightforward.

While the program is being installed, mobile app asks to connect the phone to the computer and enable USB debugging.

After receiving notification of successful synchronization, the smartphone can be disconnected from the computer.

Open the mobile app. From the list installed programs select the ones you need and click on the "Reservation" button. Specify where the backup will be stored and wait for the process to complete.

To restore from a backup, go to the "Restore and Sync" tab, select the location with the copy, select the desired applications and click "Restore".

The basic version of the program is free, the cost of the extended version is 149.86 rubles.

The extended version allows:

• disable ads;
• set scheduled backups;
• enable synchronization between Android devices;
• store data in the cloud.

The application cannot be installed by owners of Motorola devices and some Sony models.

License: shareware software.

Russian language support: there is.

Most popular among Android users application backup tool. Requires root access to the device.

To create a backup copy of one or more applications, open the "Backups" tab, which presents full list installed software. Exclamation point near the application indicates that a copy has not yet been created for it. The phone icon means that the program is stored on internal memory devices. The SD card icon indicates applications stored on the memory card.

Select an application and click "Save" in the menu that opens.

The backup has been created. Now, if you enter the application again, you can see the "Restore" button.

Titanum Backup supports group work with applications and backups. To do this, go to "Menu" → "Batch actions".

This function allows:

• check backups - both recently created and the whole - for errors;
• make backup copies of all installed applications;
• make backup copies of all system data;
• delete old backups;
• restore all backups;
• restore all system data;
• clear application cache;
• uninstall system or user apps.

The functionality of Titanium Backup is much wider, but for our purposes, the listed features are quite enough.

The extended version of Titanium Backup costs 349 rubles. Its main features:

• creating multiple backups for an application;
• backup data encryption;
• checking all archives;
• batch freezing and defrosting applications;
• synchronization of backups with the cloud.

iOS

iMazing

License: commercial software.

Russian language support: there is.

Compatibility: Microsoft Windows macOS.

Actually this file manager with the possibility of backup. In many ways, it is similar to iTunes, but it is much easier and more pleasant to work in it. You can transfer data both via cable and via Wi-Fi, and iMazing has no limit on the number of connected devices.

When you connect your device to your computer, iMazing automatically makes a backup of it. The function of changing data directly in the saved copy is very useful: the next time you connect, the changed data is instantly synchronized.

The free period is 30 days, after which you will have to pay $39.99 for use on one computer.

License: commercial software.

Russian language support: no.

Compatibility: iOS.

Device backup tool with . Allows you to save notes, contacts, photos, messages, call histories and more.

To create a backup, just select what you want to save and click on the corresponding icon. A copy can be stored on a smartphone, computer, in the cloud, or sent by email.

To restore data, click on the Restore button in the menu on the left side of the screen.

The cost of BackupAZ is $2.99.

iLex

License: free software.

Russian language support: there is.

Compatibility: iOS.

And this software product will require you to have a mandatory jailbreak. Free App iLex allows you to save absolutely any data from the device, besides, it does not require a computer to work.

After creating a backup copy, save it where it is convenient for you, and after flashing the device or in case of loss, copy the archive to your phone and restore the necessary information.

Cydia

License: free software.

Russian language support: there is.

To do this, just go to Manage Accounts, enter your account and select Installable Purchases. That's the only way to do this only for purchased applications. Information about free Cydia does not save.

Cloud Solutions

Google Drive

License: shareware software.

Russian language support: there is.

Compatibility:

Allows you to store user data on Google servers, differentiate access rights to files and folders, open access and share them with other Internet users.

The repository includes:

• Google Drive - used to store files;
• Gmail - saves the user's contacts and is a powerful email client;
• Google Photo - automatically finds images on devices and saves them to the cloud.

15 GB is free. For a larger volume, you will have to pay from 2.99 to 299 dollars. Max Volume storage is 30 TB and the file upload is 5 TB.

2 GB of storage is available for free use. The cost of 1 TB will be 9.99 euros. Unlimited space can be purchased for 10 euros per month.

Yandex.Disk

License: shareware software.

Russian language support: there is.

Compatibility: browsers, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Android, iOS.

cloud service Russian origin, former Yandex.People. Like previous solutions, it allows you to save data in the cloud and share it with other Internet users. Supports synchronization between different devices.

Users are provided with 10 GB free of charge. For an additional 10 GB, Yandex asks to pay 30 rubles, for 100 GB - 80 rubles, while the cost of 1 TB will be only 200 rubles.

If you are still new to using an iPhone, then you definitely need to know what a backup is and how to use it.

Navigation

If you have recently started using the iPhone, we recommend that you constantly copy the data stored on it. This operation will not take you much time, and if you automate it, then it will not burden you with anything at all. Thanks to manufacturers' technologies, you can create a copy even without the personal participation of the owner of the smartphone.

Backup is a great opportunity to save personal data.

No one in our life can be insured against theft, loss or deliberate damage to an expensive phone. And in the absence of a copy, to regret the loss, there is also grief from the loss of a picture, contacts or other important information. It is better to make sure once again and, if necessary, restore everything.

By the way, a backup is also needed in case of unsuccessful updates, when the only solution is full reset smartphone settings. In this case, everything is deleted, and the backup helps to recover. Another backup is useful when transferring data to new phone from the old one.

As a rule, the iPhone uses two services - proprietary iCloud storage and iTunes. They allow you to easily create copies of all the necessary and important resources.

iCloud general information

Among the advantages of this resource stands out convenient use, since for copying you only need to turn on Wi-fi, and everything else will be done automatically. And so every day. Therefore, with its help, you will always have an up-to-date database. This is very convenient, since recovery can be carried out from any place where there is only a connection to wireless network and without additional devices and wires.

• The option is turned on in iCloud in the device settings.
• Further in the section "Backups" click on the suggestion to create a backup.

• You just need to connect once and the device will always copy the data on its own. As a rule, this happens in the evenings, when the phone is charging and Wi-fi is turned on, since RAM at this moment, the least loaded and the operation is much faster and better. The data is stored in your personal "cloud", to which only you have access.
• As the cloud fills up, the system will erase all data it does not need, as well as old databases. This is due to the cloud size limit provided by Apple. Initially, you get a resource that has 5 GB of memory. If you use more than this limit, you will have to pay an additional fee.
• As a rule, the last three copies are saved to the cloud. They contain personal settings, correspondence and messages. By the way, if you do not make new copies within 180 days, then Apple will erase the old ones due to lack of demand and it will be impossible to restore data from them.

Video: How to backup iPhone or iPad?

iTunes

This program is suitable for those who are used to storing personal data only on a PC or removable media. Before connecting, you must first install the latest version of the program so that there are no problems with recognition in the future.

• Connect smartphone to PC
• In the application, click on your device and click on "Review"
• Find "Backups"
• Select the offer to perform the operation manually and enable copying

If you need to clean your computer's memory and get rid of old copies, then through the settings, find "Devices", select the data and click on "Delete".

In order not to forget about the need to create another copy, create a small reminder on any of your devices.

Setting a password

It is best to set a password on your backup so that no intruder can access your files. To do this, when creating a backup, make a checkmark opposite "Backup Encryption" tab "Review".

Write it somewhere so as not to lose it, because now the password will be asked every time you copy.

How to use copies?

• First of all, everything software must be updated to the latest version.
• Select "Reset" in the main settings and activate the deletion through the item "Erase iPhone".

• Next, the assistant will start and you will be prompted to select a save location.
• Do you need an item "Restore from iCloud", specify the file with the backup and enter the authorization data.

If you choose to restore via iTunes, connect your smartphone to the PC to which the data has been downloaded.

By the way, be sure to disable the feature first. "Find iPhone".

Now you can choose one of the appropriate methods:

• Select "File" — "Devices" and click on restore.

• Or go to section "Backups" where there is a similar item "Restoring from a copy".

In conclusion, it is worth saying that the best combination is to use all services at once. Daily copy iCloud will save a little current information, and large files you can create at least once a month with using iTunes and store them on a PC or flash drive. In the future, if necessary, this will allow you to get the full lost data.

How to set up correctly new iPhone You can find out .

Video: iPhone, iPad backup - what is it? And is it worth restoring?

Recently, a friend of mine asked me to explain to her how to back up data. She is a humanitarian, so she needed options in which nothing needs to be configured. Since she is not a stupid person who likes to understand the problem and make decisions herself, I decided to collect the basic principles for her and describe the pros and cons of certain options (as I see them). I decided to publish here in case that it will come in handy for some of you - to help a friend or relative. I would be very glad to comments on how the text could be made simpler and clearer.

Basic principles

1. Regularity and frequency

Backup data should be as regular as taking pills. It is for this discipline that one can thank oneself if some kind of collapse suddenly occurred. Sometimes losing even just a few working days due to the fact that the backup was not done can be very painful. To answer the question - how often it is possible to backup, having understood the data for which period of time it would be the least painful for you to lose. One of the best options is to backup data once a week on weekends.

separateness

It is desirable that the data be saved to a separate external HDD(or other media) were stored in a separate location from the main data. The principle is quite obvious - if a problem occurs, it will be localized in one place. For example, if the hard drive on your computer is broken, the backup drive will function just fine. However, there is a balance to be struck between ease of access and security. A hard drive next to a computer significantly increases the motivation to use it for its intended purpose. And at the same time, this is not the safest option for very important data that cannot be lost in any case. That is why there is a distinction between data backup and data archiving.

recheck

As soon as the first backup copy of the data is made, you must immediately check that this data can be restored from it! This means not only that the files become visible. You need to open several files to choose from and check that they are not corrupted. It is desirable to repeat such a check then once in a certain period (say, once a year).

distinction

The best practice is to differentiate data by category. The category could be their importance to you, the frequency of updates, or just the topic.

Often, backup programs make so-called "images" (image). They look like one single file. So in each such image it is better to save different data.

What is it for. Data of different importance requires different handling of itself, this is obvious. You will probably want to store your important documents more carefully than, say, a collection of films. By dividing data by update frequency, you can, for example, save time taken by backups. Topic - what data is it desirable to restore together in one step? A vivid example of two types of backup that should be done separately:

Data backup

it Word documents, photos, movies, etc. The same applies to this, but often forgotten - bookmarks in the browser, letters in mailbox, address book, appointment calendar, configuration file banking application, etc.

System backup

We are talking about the operating system with all its settings. Such a backup eliminates the need to reinstall the operating system, make all the settings, install programs. However, this is not the most necessary type of backup.

Where to backup

1. External hard drive. Often you can buy directly in the box. There are notebook ones - such disks are small in size, but more expensive. Ordinary hard drives you can buy 2 TB relatively cheaply - then you won’t have to worry about disk space for a long time.

Reliable enough (if not dropped or shaken excessively)
+ Relatively inexpensive

You must remember to connect the disk for backup yourself
-Not very convenient to carry (does not apply to laptop drives)

2. USB-stick - suitable as an additional tool when you would like to transfer data from one computer to another and / or have it at hand. Also, if the data itself does not want to be stored on a computer.
There is one big but - a flash drive has a limited number of entries, so if you store application data on it that will write intensively, then the flash drive (usb stick) will quickly die. In addition, in my personal experience, they break quite often. My friend, buying the most expensive flash drives, which were positioned as "not killed", received a broken flash drive in a month or two. To be fair, I must say that so far not a single flash drive has broken, some have been working for 5 years. Nevertheless, I would not store data on just one usb-stick.

Mobile storage
+ Takes up little space
+Very cheap

Unpredictable Reliability

3. Data storage on a remote server (or in the cloud).

There are pros and cons:

Data will be available not only at home, but also at work, while traveling.
+ Location separation of main data and backups (for example, if it happens, God forbid, a fire, the data survives)
+ There is no need to connect a hard drive for backup, as a rule, everything is done completely automatically.

It is advisable to encrypt the data, since it is not known who can access it
- A large amount of traffic is spent (if it is limited, then problems arise)
-Often, you can only store data up to 2 GB for free. So, such a backup is an additional expense item.

List with good description services can be found

How to backup

Here is a list of applications that you should pay attention to (in my opinion) when backing up to a hard drive.

Of the free ones are popular

1. Genie Backup Manager is a very handy program, but it slows down a little when working
2. Handy Backup - simple interface, fast.

Additionally

Often in the backup program settings there is an option - to make an incremental or differential backup. The practical difference is quite simple. With differential backup, you can save on the space it occupies. But there are only two recovery options: data in the state when the full backup was made + data at the time when the differential backup was made.

Incremental backup allows you to roll back to any of the moments in the past when the backup was made. However, especially if data changes occur frequently, space will be eaten up quickly.

Special project with Acronis

We all sooner or later face the need for a backup. And trust me, better early than late. Once upon a time, in 2009, I lost all my data. I then made backups on DVD-R/RW, which was not very convenient, so they were rarely made. Part of the data was sent by colleagues (it’s good that they kept it), but a lot of things were lost. Since that time, I regularly make backups, and today we will talk about finding the perfect product for the family budget.

Where will we store backups?

Before choosing software, you need to decide where we will store the backup. You know, DVD-R is not good for backup. Firstly, a small volume, secondly, slowly, thirdly - noisy. And since I switched to laptops a very long time ago and I don’t recognize stationary ones at all (although they are available on the farm), I had to buy several external drives. First, 250 GB, then a larger volume.

I did not consider the cloud for one simple reason - there is not enough space:

You understand that even 15 GB is not enough, especially if the minimum size of an external screw available on the farm is 250 GB. Extra space? Of course, it would be possible to give $ 2 a month for 100 GB of Google Drive or $ 10 for an additional 1 TB, but 100 GB will not save me, and 1 TB is a little expensive. Ideally, 500 GB would be suitable for 2-3 dollars per month 🙂

Later, two Android smartphones and one tablet appeared in the family, from which backups were also made from time to time to an external screw, in the old fashioned way (after all, I was used to just such a process). Here one could safely use the cloud, but habit is a strong thing.

Search for backup software

Here we come to the most interesting. What to do backup?

In principle, the free Clonezilla can be used. The capabilities of this program, if not impressive, then at least quite good. Here are some of them that I consider the most important:

• support file systems Linux/macOS/Windows: ext2 to ext4, xfs, jfs, FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, HFS (macOS);
• MBR and GPT support;
• support for data encryption (AES 256);
• the ability to deploy one image to multiple local devices;
• support for SSH, Samba, WebDAV and NFS.

If you need to make a backup in a corporate environment of a server, and even on a ball, you won’t find a better option. For cloning systems in the case of deploying one OS to many machines with the same configuration, it’s the most: they brought a fleet of computers, put an axis on one of them, set everything up, made its image and deployed it to other computers. Admin dream!

I have also been familiar with Acronis products for a long time, but mainly with server versions. I won’t compare them with Clonezilla now, since we are talking about a home backup: after all, at home there are one or two computers and several Android devices, you don’t need to constantly create images of all these devices. In general, CloneZilla is not suitable for the home. Once, I remember, I made a backup of it at home when I changed system disk on a larger disk and too lazy to reinstall all systems. Then this program, of course, saved me.

CloneZilla- good program, but it's 2016 and I want something more modern, but she's stuck in the past. I want some kind of automation, backup management from all devices, including mobile devices, I want to copy photos from my profile on social networks, I want to search inside the backup copy in order to find desired file. Want a lot of things. Sometimes I even think about buying a NAS just for storing backups.

Actually, I started looking for the perfect software for myself. I came across at one time the "File History" function in Windows 8/10. I somehow missed the "eight", and the "ten" is installed on only one computer. Although the "File History" was created in the image and likeness of Apple Time Machine and should be convenient, in practice it turned out to be not very convenient to use it, moreover, with computers running "seven" and Android smartphones it is not compatible.

If anyone is interested, while I was looking the right software, all this time I made backups with Total Commander by simply copying files. But it's very inconvenient. Firstly, no automation: you need to go to each computer with an external screw and make a backup. Secondly, the irrational use of space. I didn't use compression. Why? Yes, because I periodically need to search for information on the backup. Have you tried looking for something in an archive several GB in size?

Quite by accident I remembered Acronis True Image and discovered that the 2017 version was released. Let's see what it can do now:

It looks like the perfect backup software exists! However, it’s not very ideal, but I’ll talk about the shortcomings later, but for now I’ll brag about its capabilities: Acronis True Image 2017 is a completely modern backup program, and unlike ancient software like CloneZilla, it has everything that a modern person might need. Here's what I really liked...

First, saving space on the screws that are used for backup. The backup is made in a compressed form, but Acronis allows you to search inside the backup.

Secondly, now I don't have to worry about the data on mobile devices Oh. Over the past two years, two microSD cards have failed: one on my wife's phone, the other on a tablet. From one photo it was possible to save at least partially, from the second - no, she "died" completely. Acronis True Image 2017 allows you to backup an unlimited number of Android/iOS mobile devices to your local computer.

Thirdly, you can (as I have already noted) remotely manage the backup on all home devices. Using the web panel, you can check the status of backups and set up real-time data protection.

Fourth, there is support for copying Facebook profile content. A lot of information is now published on social networks: photos, videos, comments. A backup of this data will protect against page hacking or accidental deletion.

Finally, focus on the cloud. I couldn't even imagine that Acronis had such powerful cloud support: by purchasing a subscription, you get 500 GB of cloud space! This volume is quite enough for me for home purposes (unless, of course, I upload images to the cloud hard drives entirely, although Acronis allows it).

About the disadvantages

Everything has its drawbacks. I hope the Acronis developers will heed the criticism. Personally, I didn't like two things about the program.

The first is the lack of Linux support. The data that is stored in Linux will have to be done the old fashioned way: either by copying, or with using Clonezilla by creating an image of a partition with data (fortunately / home I have out of habit on a separate partition).

The second is the lack of support from others. social networks other than Facebook. I think, however, that over time it will appear. Whether and here there will be a support of Linux is a question. Of course, Acronis has a Linux Server product, but I don’t want to use it for several reasons: firstly, using the server version for home use is tantamount to firing a cannon at sparrows, and secondly, I don’t want to pay for another product (and this is a minimum 792 rubles per month), and thirdly, I want everything to be managed from one product.

About price

We all know that Acronis has never been free. However, the prices also pleasantly surprised me: the official website has a calculator that allows you to find out how much Acronis will cost you.

A one-time license for 1 computer (the number of mobile devices is unlimited) will cost 1,700 rubles (about $27 at the current exchange rate). But it is more profitable to buy a subscription: in this case, you will get both the program itself and 500 GB cloud storage. The cost of a subscription for a year will cost 1400 rubles. (~$22), for two years - only 2000 r (~$32), which is about $1.83 or $1.33 per month. For that kind of money, you can only buy 100 GB of Google Drive! And here I got an excellent tool for backup + 500 GB in the cloud.

If we calculate a more realistic configuration: 3 computers and 1 TB in the cloud, then a subscription for a year will cost 2400 rubles, and for 2 years - 3600 rubles. Only 150 rubles per month compared to 600 rubles for 1 TB of Google Drive! As for me, the conclusion was obvious. 150 rubles - the amount is quite affordable for home user, this will not hit the family budget.

When working on computer devices, we constantly have important data that we would not like to lose. To prevent this from happening, you need to make backups of the most necessary information. In computer parlance, this is called "backup". What is a backup and how it is done you will learn from this article. I must say right away that this thing is extremely necessary and right approach will take quite a bit of time, but it will save it much more + save your nerves. Checked on myself.

Backup (from the English backup - “spare”) is the creation of a copy of the content hard drive. Why do you need to back up your files? As a rule, ordinary users use a hard drive that is in everyday use for long-term storage of information. Although magnetic media is a fairly reliable device, it loses its resource over time, and files can be irretrievably lost. A backup is made to prevent this from happening: the lost information can always be copied from the backup storage to a new permanent media. Unlike working ones, which are always available and are temporary, backups are made on a disk or flash drive that is disconnected from the computer. How to backup HDD?

When creating a copy of a disk, you need to be guided by several principles in order to ensure maximum data safety and "painless" information recovery:

Regularity. How often you make a copy depends on how regularly the data on your hard drive is updated. An ordinary user does not need to backup daily: in most cases, copying once a week will be optimal.

Separation. It makes no sense to keep a copy on the same hard drive as the primary storage location. The type of media used for backup depends on the importance of the information: in everyday life, any hard drive or CD is enough, with more serious backup - archiving - special expensive drives are used.

Recheck. After making a copy, you need to make sure that it is not damaged - open several random files and make sure they are safe. You need to do this regularly, preferably with every backup.

Systematization. It is necessary not only to put all the files in one place, but to divide them into categories according to a user-friendly principle. Often, data backup programs create images - archives, which are a single file that stores all the copied information. Each category must have a separate image. This will allow you to back up files of different importance with different frequency. Thus, operational data, which is more important and updated more frequently, will be backed up weekly, and the image operating system can be done occasionally, only with the most significant changes.

There is no need to do manual copying - there is software that works in the background and independently performs computer backup according to the specified settings when the backup media is connected to the computer. However, before choosing a program, you should decide on what the copy of the disk will be stored on.

Where to save the copied data?

There are 2 main ways to back up: to physical drives or using cloud services on the Internet. They have their advantages and disadvantages, different types of media also have some features.

External HDD

This option is more popular than the others, as it's quicker and easier to back up to an external hard drive. External hard drives exist in two versions:

1. a regular hard drive inserted into a special box for connecting to USB;
2. large flash drive.

This device is quite reliable for domestic storage of copies and is relatively inexpensive. External drive with flash-memory is not inferior to HDD in terms of reliability, but ordinary flash drives not worth using: they can break at any time.

laser discs

For computer backup, any type of disc can be used - CD, DVD or Blu-ray. They are easy to use and store for a very long time, but they have a number of disadvantages:

• the need for careful handling, protection from sudden temperature fluctuations and mechanical influences;
• the need for computer equipment with a recording drive;
• the possibility of damage to the disk with frequent rewriting;
• small volume - from 700 MB for CD to 25 GB for Blu-ray (the largest HDD today has a capacity of 10 TB).

Because of these disadvantages, laser drives are more often used for archiving - long-term storage of files of particular importance, which rarely have to be accessed. For this, special rooms are even built in which ideal conditions for storage are maintained.

cloud services

The clouds are remote servers for computer backup. The most controversial option. Its advantages are the following:

• access to copies is feasible from anywhere in the world, from any device connected to the Internet;
• maximum data separation - a copy is stored not only in the user's computer, but even in another state;
• backups are created automatically.

The advantages are significant, but the disadvantages are also significant:

• There is no confidence in the security of data: it is not known whether the information is encrypted and who will be able to use it, whether the backup of the servers themselves is reliable, etc. In this regard, you can rely on the reputation of companies providing cloud services.
• Without access to the Internet, data cannot be recovered.
• You need an unlimited channel with good speed if the information is copied in large volumes.
• Not a lot of space is provided for free, you need to pay a subscription to get additional space.

Today, there are many cloud services for disk backup - Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc. There is no significant difference between them for the end user (except for the subscription cost and ease of access to the storage).

Backup software

When using Windows, you can use the standard tool for computer backup - when you connect a USB flash drive or external hard disk, the system itself will offer to use it as a backup storage, and will also provide the ability to select folders that should be saved. Very convenient and easy to use for an inexperienced user. The only drawback is the lack of encryption.

Windows 10 can also save, back up data using cloud service Microsoft. For a rather modest fee, 1 TB of server space is provided, copying is performed automatically when changes are made in the folders specified by the user, access to the storage is possible either through the Microsoft website or directly from the explorer on the computer. Minus - uncontrolled copying. If the process has started, you can stop it only by turning off the Internet or turning off the computer, it is impossible to cancel copying.

Among third party programs to back up files, there are paid and free products. Paid ones include:

Acronis True Image. The standard version costs €50, the upgraded version with a 50 GB cloud subscription is €40 per year, and the premium version, which includes additional products and 1-5 TB of cloud space, is from €80 to €240 per year.

Paragon Backup & Recovery. It costs only 890 rubles, quickly copies all the contents of the computer and allows you to recover data even if the OS is completely inoperable.

ABC Backup Pro. Highly simple program, which is controlled by literally three buttons. There is a scheduler that performs automatic backup at specified intervals.

Free programs for computer backup:

• Genie Backup Manager. Easy to use, but demanding on system resources.
• Handy Backup. It has a simple interface and high speed work.
• Back2zip - backs up data in zip archives. The most simple program.

There are many analogues of these products, and they are all similar to each other. There is no particular difference what to use. The main thing is to ensure the safety of drives and the regularity of updating backups.

I repeat once again that backup should not be neglected, since you can create a copy of data very quickly and without effort. It may seem that the probability of losing information is too small, and backup is Waste time, but the saved time, nerves and often money in the event of a computer breakdown is difficult to overestimate.