Back It Up, Back It In, Let Me Begin

Online Backup:

• Dropbox:
  • Dropbox 2GB Free
• Mozy Online Backup:
  • 2GB Totally Free Online Backup! Compliments of Mozy
  • Mozy Unlimited Backup – $4.95/Month

Online Backups are considered the safest way to backup your files.  In the event that something happens to your computer, or your home/office, all of your most precious information can safely be recovered from online services.

Dropbox isn’t just a backup service, although you can use it as such.  What Dropbox does is allow you to sync your files online and across multiple computers simultaneously, as well as share certain files with friends.  Dropbox creates a “My Dropbox” folder on your computer.  Anything put in this folder is then synced online to Dropbox’s servers, making it an easy way to backup critical files. This folder is also synced with any other computers you have running Dropbox.  I find it very useful for replacing a flash drive with files that I work on frequently.  The service is easy to use, secure, and even has iPad, iPhone/Android apps.  It comes with 2GB free, so you have nothing to lose by trying it out.  It has become one of the most productive services I’ve ever used!

• Lifehacker articles on Dropbox:
  • The Cleverest Ways to Use Dropbox That You’re Not Using
  • Best Online File Sharing Service: Dropbox

If you’re looking for a more backup-oriented service, Mozy is right up your alley.  Dropbox is meant for heavy use via updating and syncing, along with social sharing and constant interactivity.  Because of this, the price for more than the initial 2GB is pricey if you just need a backup solution.  Mozy is focused on just backup.  Much like Dropbox, MozyFree gives you 2GB of backup space for free.  However, their MozyHome unlimited backup for $4.95 a month is very reasonable for knowing that all of your files are protected.  The service can let you backup documents, photos, bookmarks, emails and more.  Mozy is run by a direct subisidary of EMC, the world’s largest provider of data storage platforms.

Local Backup:

• Clickfree:  Automatically Backup Everything That Matters!

If you’re looking for the easiest way out for backing up your computer, Clickfree offers some fantastic options.  Their products are designed so that regular consumers, without any technical knowledge, would be able to use them.  The software works for both Windows and Mac, with products for backing up single or multiple computers.  They also sell a Transformer that works with existing external USB drives (A little pricey, but you pay for the ease-of-use).

Other, more basic options for offline backup consist of utilizing your Operating System’s built-in backup software:

• Mac users: Time Machine is a great backup solution.
• Windows 7: Good Backup options built-in – use with an external drive for safe backups.
• Windows Vista: Good Backup options built-in – use with an external drive for safe backups.
• Windows XP: You may have to install it, but there is a basic backup service.

Do you have a favorite backup software?  Let us know!