The meaning of the word "backup" is: file to copy data from one memory to another mass for security reasons.

By analyzing all actions that take place when working with the PC, the back-up is the one that is most neglected, because no one ever think that a virus, or a trojan or simply incorrect action entails a loss data (sometimes of considerable importance) no longer recoverable.

Many cases can be linked to the loss of data, the most common:

-- Damage to the hard disk;

-- Electrical damage due to sudden voltage fluctuation;

-- Fire;

-- Flooding;

-- Theft;

-- Sabotage;

-- Viruses;

-- Incompetence.

Most people can understand the importance of back-up files only when such "accidents" occur, but do not know how to remedy.

The main reason why many people do not carry out operations back-up can be summarized in 4 points:

-- Are not aware of the possibility of being able to make copies of safety;

-- Have never placed this issue;

-- I am not aware of the procedures for implementing security copies;

-- The process of making copies of security implies waste of time and money.

The operation of the backup file is to copy all or part of the data on your hard drive:

-- A partition of the hard disk;

-- An external storage medium.

In the first case the backup is somewhat risky if you bear in mind that a serious failure physical hard disk lead to the definitive data loss; also this type of backup is not recommended if one takes into account that there are some viruses whose effect leads to the formatting of the hard disk.

It appears, however, safer to back up data on external storage media. Unfortunately, the small memory capacity of 3.5-inch floppy and the limited speed of data transfer does not help in the case of a backup high volume of data. But viable alternatives are available, such as:

-- Zip disks (with memory capacity from 100 to 750 MB);

-- External hard disk (from 20 to 60 GB);

-- CD-ROM (650 and 700 MB);

-- DVD-ROM (4.7 GB);

-- Jaz (1 to 2 GB);

-- Token (up to 4 GB);

-- Compact flash (from 8 to 512 MB);

-- Smartmedia (from 2 to 128 MB);

-- Secure digital (up to 256 MB);

-- Multimedia card (up to 128 MB);

-- Stick memory (up to 128 MB);

-- Optical Disk

There are three different types: 3.5 / 5.25 / 12 inches with a capacity varying from 128 MB to 7 GB.

Of course, the choice of a particular type of storage media regardless of the type of system (stand alone computer, or network server) and the following features that the storage media must have:

-- A high-capacity storage;

-- A high-speed storage;

-- Sound integrity over time;

-- A reasonable cost and support of "reader".

Then choose the type of support needed to define the backup procedures, which can be:

-- Complete - running copying all files;

-- Incrementally - where are copied only files that have changed since your last save

(Of course using different media).

As an alternative, it is possible to make a real "image" of hard disk through

Easy-to-use software including: Ghost and Drive Image. Using these two applications appropriately the hard disk is stored in a single file, compressed and hence in the case of an eventual restoration find the hard drive exactly the same situation at the time of rescue. The only disadvantage of this method is that the computer on which we can restore the image is the same as that of rescue.

As regards, however, the execution time of the backup process, the copy should be performed, if possible, every day in incrementally. There are certain programs that have the ability to act alone, for an hour established by the user. If the copy, for example, dates back to last week, if necessary, we can restore, losing only work one week, minimizing the risk.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF MAKING THE BACKUP ON MEDIA OUTSIDE

The market offers various solutions for a range of effective external storage medium.

The advantages of external storage media are to be found in their convenience and the ease with which they are used, technological development also helps to have more and more storage media with fast and large capacity, in addition to refurbishment costs.

Among other interesting features to be reported for these devices, there is the possibility of

Use them as boot disks with the operating systems Microsoft Windows 98 and ME if the motherboard supports booting from USB.

Another important factor is to be found in the smaller of the media, which are easily transportable and accessible at any computer, for example, equipped with USB ports.

In some cases, however, you must install drivers that allow the media to talk to the PC through its "reader".

If on the one hand these benefits bring you the choice of either of the products offered by the market, is not underestimate the security aspect which plays a key role both in the choice of product, in that.

Just think, only for a moment, with the consequences that this would have if an attacker in possession of a USB token, gain physical access to a car, given that this type of device can store up to 2 Gbytes. The owner sees no theft of information, if not consulting the operating system log.

An 'any disadvantage resulting from small devices, the loss could be the same, allowing for any person to improperly take possession of the data content.

To overcome these drawbacks can install an authentication token that authenticates in practice, with username and password, the person who enters the token on the computer. Another solution is to use certain kinds of storage media, with a chip whose task is to "download" files and encrypt at the same time: whole process is totally transparent to the operator.