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Computer FAQ Gal
April 6, 2022

What’s the Best Backup Method?

We talked about keeping your computer backed up to keep your data safe in case of cyber-attack. There are multiple methods or mediums to store your backed up data.

Backup to an external hard drive. You can purchase an external hard drive starting at around $50, and they come in varying storage capacities. They generally plug into your USB port and away you go. You can do a one-time backup or set up your computer to automatically backup every day, week, or month as you choose. If your computer goes down or your data is hacked, you have a ready at hand backup to restore your data.

Backup to a USB thumb drive. These little portable storage devices are cheap and easy to use. They come in different storage sizes, but you won’t be able to store as much as you can on an external drive. They can also easily be misplaced. If you don’t have much to backup, they are a good solution, but make sure you label them. I have a bunch of them on my desk and you can spend a lot of time looking at their contents to see which one you want to use if it’s not labeled.

Backup to a CD or DVD. This is similar to using a USB or external drive, and you are limited to the size of your disc. Writeable and rewritable discs are fairly inexpensive. The drawback here is that most new laptops don’t come with CD/DVD drives anymore so you may need to purchase an external drive.

Backup to the cloud. Doing a cloud backup has the advantage that there is no physical storage device to lose or to store away securely. The data is stored off site so if there is a fire or some other problem at your home, your backup is still safe. Google, Microsoft, and Apple offer a limited amount of free storage which can fill up quickly. After that you have to pay for a subscription to store your data. This generally starts at around $1 a month and goes up from there. You have to have an internet connection to access the cloud for backup and retrieval.

All these methods are good options, chose the one that’s right for you and your budget.

Have a great week!
Kathie Pearce
ComputerFAQ #98
360.496-8662
computerfaq@live.com


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How I Came To Write This Weekly Column

When I took over the ComputerFAQ business from Robert, he told me that the job also came with writing a weekly article for the Shopper.  Now I knew about Robert’s article, and I read it weekly, but my stomach was immediately inundated with very large butterflies when I found out that I would be writing for other people to read.
I hadn’t written anything outside of instruction briefings and meeting notes in my previous job. Those things were easy-step one do this, step two, etc.  But actually, writing an article was totally new to me.  Several people offered to pre-read the articles before they were published but even this seemed terrifying to me. What if I really stink at it?

I made it through my first introductory article without the walls caving in on me. I didn’t get any hate mail or hysterical laughter from anyone that I knew that read it. Whew, made it. But then it dawned on me that I had to do it again, and again… oh dear.

Well, fast forward almost two years and I’m still writing! I have to admit that some weeks I have a hard time coming up with new material, but I thoroughly enjoy the process.  I’ve had several people tell me they cut out some of my articles and save them for reference! That is such a wonder to me, and I am very grateful to my readers for their thoughtfulness and to The Shopper for allowing me to continue providing information to you.

Happy 46th Anniversary Shopper!
Kathie
Computer Faq Gal

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Computer FAQ GAL - Previous Columns
Kathie Pearce
 

Computer FAQ GAL
Kathie Pearce

April 6, 2022 Best Back Ups

March 30, 2022 Security Reminder

March 23, 2022 Of Memory & Storage

March 16, 2022 Recycle Electronics Safely

March 9, 2022 Replace Windows 10 Computer Now?

March 2, 2022 Keep Your Computer Cool

February 23, 2022 End of 3-G

February 16, 2022 How Fast Is Your Internet?

February 9, 2022 Help Internet Is Down

February 2, 2022 eMail Large Pics

January 26, 2022 Instant Ink

January 19, 2022 Cutting The Cord

January 12, 2022 Head In The Clouds

January 5, 2022 Digital Resolution

December 22 2021 e-Readers

December 15 2021 Operating System VS Browser Review

December 8 2021 Holiday Shopping Scams

December 1 2021 Tech Support Scams Alive & Well

November 24 2021 Gift List

November 17 2021 Got SPAM

November 10 2021 WIFI For Hotspot???

November 3 2021 Windows Versions Review

October 27 2021 Batten Down Your (Computer's) Hatches

October 20 2021 GMail Clean Up

October 13 2021 Auto Correct Blues

October 6 2021 File Sharing With One Drive

September 29 2021 Mail Clean Up

September 22 2021 Time For Microsoft Account

September 15 2021 Get Computer Ready For School

September 8 2021 Windows 11 Release Announced

September 1 2021 Talk Passwords AGAIN

August 25, 2021 Amazon Sharing Your Internet

August 18, 2021 Apple Invades Privacy

August 11, 2021 No Secrets with Alexa

August 4, 2021 Delete Google Photos

July 28, 2021 Free Money

July 21, 2021 Find Your Computer Specs

July 14, 2021 How Fast Is Your Internet

July 7, 2021 Windows 11 Arrives Later This Year

June 30, 2021 Keep That Pocket Computer Happy

June 23, 2021 Mark Your Calendars

June 16, 2021 Windows 10 New Widget

June 9, 2021 Summer FREE Microsoft Workshops

June 2, 2021 Good-Bye Old Browser

May 26, 2021 Windows Accounts

May 19, 2021 ReBoot

May 12, 2021 A Year To Remember

May 5, 2021 Cool Windows 10 Features

April 28, 2021 Got Smarts

April 21, 2021 Not Too Late For FREE Windows10

April 14, 2021 Facebook Data Breach

April 7, 2021 G-Mail CleanUp

March 31, 2021 Google Storage

March 24, 2021 Keyboard Shortcuts

March 17, 2021 How's Your Memory

March 10, 2021 Big Brother Is Tracking

March 3, 2021 Windows 10 Refresh

February24, 2021 Starlink Satellite Internet

February 17, 2021 No Secrets With ALEXA

February 10, 2021 WIFI Security Cameras

February 3, 2021 Extend Ethernet Capabilities

January 27, 2021 Desktop Computer Wireless Options

January 20, 2021 Other Options

January 13, 2021 Operating System vs Browser

January 6, 2021 Happy New Year, Now BACK UP!!!

December 23, 2020 Is My Computer Upgrade-able?

December 16, 2020 Browser Update Needed

December 9, 2020 Flash Player

December 2, 2020 iPhone Tips

November 25, 2020 Default Browsers

November 18, 2020 Passwords ReVisited

November 11, 2020 How To Import Favorites

November 4, 2020 Windows 10 Versions

October 28, 2020 HotSpot-Free Internet Alternative?

October 21, 2020 Microsoft Office FREE

October 14, 2020 Virus Lingo

October 7, 2020 You Can Choose A Different Browser

September 30, 2020 Google Maps Privacy

September 23, 2020 How Much Data Do You Need?

September 16, 2020 Memory VS Storage

September 9, 2020 Speed Up Your Windows 10

September 2, 2020 Restore Points - Part 2

August 26, 2020 Restore Points - Part 1

August 19, 2020 Broadband Survey Results

August 12, 2020 Windows 10 Mail

August 5, 2020 Edge Blocking My Website

July 29, 2020 Setting Your Browers Homepage

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July 15, 2020 Tech Support Scams

July 8, 2020 New Wierd Icon

July 1, 2020 The Waiting Game

June 24, 2020 Windows 10 Tips

June 17, 2020 BackUps AGAIN

June 10, 2020 Windows Updates Necessary?

June 3, 2020 Driver Updater Software

May 27, 2020 Comp Faq Gal

May 20, 2020 Comp Black Screen

May 13, 2020 BackUps

May 6, 2020 Google Docs

April 29, 2020 Work and School From Home Safety

April 22, 2020 Welcome CompFAQ Gal

 

 

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