Back up your data!

[balababe]

This is a warning to everyone who has not backed up the data on their laptops.

I have just spent 10 days in Fuerteventura and during the last night there, some ******* climbed up from the beach and broke into the apartment, breaking the lock on the patio doors. We slept through it all. The passports, credit cards etc. are an inconvenience but can be stopped and replaced. My beloved Macbook Pro may be four years old and is replaceable (at a cost) but the data, which I only talked about backing up but didn't get round to doing is now lost. Also some personal information is on there which could help someone to take my identity. I feel very stupid, but I am also looking for sympathy! I suggest everyone backs up their data NOW.

[Margaretta]

Sympathy is with you all the way, Balababe. A laptop becomes a very personal item and we are a bit lost without it.
It's no use when people say "You should have.....", "You ought to......". It should not have been taken and burglaries are mean and should not happen.
Some virus protection programmes back up automatically.....just a chance that yours did this but I suppose you would know by now. It has been very upsetting for you and in the circumstances it was very kind of you to warn us here. Thank you.

[videotalker]

Yes it's easy to become complacent, sorry to hear what happened to you.

[Addick]

Sorry to hear of the break-in and your loss balababe.

Thanks for reminding me to do this. My lappy caught a cold at the weekend and every time I clicked on a link on any site I'd get a pop-up for casinos etc and ended up going back to a restore point to sort it. Made me think I needed to do a back-up (one of those things you'll 'do later' but never get round to it). So am now backing-up my data for the first time ever!

Had something similar with my phone last year that died - lost all the contacts in it because I hadn't got them stored anywhere else either. You don't miss it 'til it's gone.

[Albatros]

Backing up your data is only part of the story.

Ensure that you backup is kept secure. No point backing up if the backup is at the same risk as your PC/Laptop.

Secure your laptop/PC with a password. Not perfect but stops casual lookers :)

Apple IOS X has a remote feature whereby you can wipe your device if it is stolen. Check it out using someone else's laptop/PC. (assuming you have set up iCloud)

[Su1]

Really felt for you when I read your post....could have easily been me! Guess what I've just started doing.....backing up my lap top and transferring data from tab too. Thank you for your post.

[Hannah01]

I use "Comodo Backup" to save my important data as a backup.

[chifleta]

bucketloads of sympathy heading your way.... I always feel a bit stupid, I back up on a external hardrive, which is permanently plugged into my computer... so if anyone ever broke in, they'd probably nick that too..... DOH!

Same goes for mobile phones... hubby's phone died the other day, along with loads of phone numbers that didn't transfer to his new phone.... I've got all mine on my computer... but really should put them all on a piece of paper and keep them in a safe place too....

Horse and bolted and all that right?... :ashamed:

[casabonny]

Okay I am a proper numpty, how do you do this and where do you store the info?
I used to do this years back and stored on a floppy disc.
Some idiot proof instructions would be appreciated .
Sorry for OP .

[Addick]

Okay I am a proper numpty, how do you do this and where do you store the info?
I used to do this years back and stored on a floppy disc.
Some idiot proof instructions would be appreciated .
Sorry for OP .

Best way is to get yourself an external hard drive (not as daunting as it may sound) - they are available on sites like Amazon etc and prices vary on size/make from about £30 up.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_8?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=external+hard+drive&sprefix=external%2Caps%2C519
I got a 1TB one recently for the same purpose and just checked how much of it was used and it's only 10% full so plenty of space left on it. The hard drive just plugs into a USB port on your PC.

To do the 'back up' you go into the Control Panel of your PC and in the System & Maintenance section you should have the option to start the Back Up. It should also have the option to set a routine so it's done weekly/monthly/once-in-a-lifetime etc so you get a prompt and don't forget for another 12 months.

*all the above is based on me and my Vista system - yours may be slightly different if you run on something else but I'm sure I/someone can help if you get stuck.

[balababe]

Update on my stolen laptop - we have had some emails from someone in Morocco, saying he has bought our laptop and has sent photos from it. HELP!!!!! What do I do now??? The policia in Fuerteventura were not interested - but now I have an email???

[junglejim]

Shame about the police and their inertia , more importantly have you changed all your access passwords to all your accounts such as Bank, FB etc,?
Don't know if your ISP would be interested as they can obviously track address of laptop and may take action ?
Good luck!

[Malteser Monkey]

Even without back up you can gain your data by using a software, for that data but if you back up your file it is useful for you

Reported..........

[essexeddie]

Dont know much about this stuff but I always elect to have all my phone contacts on the sim card and not the phone, so if it dies or breaks its all easily transferable. But PCs are another story.

[9PLUS]

We just purchased the Western Digital 5TB My Cloud hard drive, which ccame with a 12TB on line free storage which works similar to Dropbox

Great buy you can remotely back up and access.