Computers form a major part of our modern lives. They make things easier for us, allow us to be more productive, let us communicate with friends and loved ones, and they’re a source of fun and entertainment. It’s no surprise that the computer holds a lot of files and information – some of which may be priceless.

Many people use digital cameras and digital video recorders. If you do, your data is most likely stored on the hard drive of your computer. This is not just computer data, it’s a priceless storage place of memories. Losing it all would be devastating.

If you use your computer for work or schoolwork, your data is very important. Losing it could set you back months, even years. It could bring projects to a complete standstill – or even make it impossible for you to finish some.

I know from the experience of deleting several files accidentally that even a little mistake can cost a lot of time and frustration. And I know from having a computer system fail on me that a problem can occur anytime – and without warning.

Regular backups not only preserve your data in case you delete a by accident, they also keep you protected in the event of a catastrophic computer failure. Computer backup is not an option, it is a requirement. Luckily for us, the options for backing up our computer data today are robust and extensive.

The simplest way to back your data up is the use of writable CD’s or DVD’s. Most newer computers come with a CD or DVD burner. You can simply choose the files you want to save and burn them to disk. Your computer probably comes with software to allow you to do this. If it doesn’t, there are many CD/DVD burning suites available for purchase.

The problem with this tactic is the ease of damage to the disk, and the fact that generally you can’t overwrite the data. Sometimes this is advantage, but sometimes it’s a hassle. You have an ever-growing pile of disks! I recommend you back up certain things, perhaps pictures or a web site you own, to disk. There are better options for your entire computer.

Another option good for a small amount of data is the “jump drive.” These drives go by as many names as there are colors in the rainbow. Jump drive, thumb drive, pen drive, and USB stick are several that you’ll probably hear. These nifty little gadgets plug right into the USB port on your computer and you can literally drag and drop files into them. They hold only small amounts compared to your computer hard drive. You can get drives that go up to 16mb and above. This is a good solution for documents, which take up little file space. They’re also nice for transferring files quickly from one computer to another. Many schools have student use a jump drive to store their classroom data on.

The external hard disk drive, or exHDD, is an excellent backup solution. These drives are just like the hard drive in your computer – except they sit on your own. They plug into your computer and you can drag and drop files to them just as you would files within your computer. They can hold massive amounts of data. Terabyte sized exHDD are on the market now and will probably seem small in a few years! This is the solution you want for storing your music and pictures. You can buy software to help automate and manage your backups.

A newer backup solution for you to consider is online backup. This is a relatively new industry, but it shows a lot of promise. You securely transmit your backup data via your internet connection. It goes into a password-protected storage folder on a server housed in your backup companies facilities. You pay monthly for this service. Since it’s an online backup, it can take time, especially the first backup. If you download a whole lot of music it may not be the best choice. However, there are huge advantages to having your data stored at a remote location – if anything happens to your house and computer, your data is safe.

You can weigh the pros and cons yourself. I personally use a service called iDrive and find it gives me a lot of peace of mind. They offer both online backup, and a small portable hard drive. Data is backed up to their servers and to my little drive. This gives me two backup copies. I have been very pleased. Another service provider to consider is Mozy.

No matter what you decide, don’t neglect to set up a backup plan. It’s not a matter of if – it’s a matter of when there will be a problem with your computer. Don’t lose important documents, a large music collection, or even more important – your priceless memories.