Backup Your Data!
Don't risk losing important data.
Your computer can be repaired or replaced. Your data can't!
Data backup is the process of copying the data from your computer system to a separate and external storage device such as a digital tape or USB flash sticks. This backup MUST be stored at an offsite location. This way the data will be safe if the office is damaged by fire and resulting water.
Suppose for a moment that a virus infects your computer, or the building burns, or a hurricane strikes. All your work, all your data—it’s all destroyed. How would you recover?
If you do not have a solid backup procedure that is strictly followed, your data is at risk! If the original data was backed up and main computer system is subsequently lost or damaged, you can restore the information from the backup device and resume normal business operations within hours.
One questions that I'm constantly asked is how often should I backup my data? I always respond with the same answer - "How much data can you afford to loose?" In our humble option, you should be backing up it data on a daily basis - especially if you have a home based business. Once the daily backup is completed, the backup media should be moved to an offsite climate controlled storage location. You should have a Monday through Thursday daily backup, 
an end of week backup, and end of month backup and a end of year backup. The backups should be stored for the following period of time:
Keep the Daily backup for 1 week.
Keep the End of Week backup for 4 weeks
Keep the End of Month backup for 1 year
Keep the End of Year backup for 7 years
Let us help you determine the best backup system and practices for your needs and budget.
If you use you home computer, I would suggest you look at an on-line backup service or an external disk drive. The on-line backup service has the advantage of being "offsite" so if anything happens to your house, you still have your data.
Links to other "Data Backup" articles: