Every year, thousands of computers crash and destroy all their owners data.
A simple act like accidentally knocking a cup of coffee over your laptop can destroy important financial documents and digital photographs containing some of your most precious memories.
It can be expensive and sometimes impossible to get this data back.
This really is a case of prevention is better than cure.
There are many ways you can overcome the problem of data loss.
Over the years backup methods have evolved from big server based installations through to tiny little USB keys.
The problem is, if the method of backup you chose is a low cost option the chances are you will have to run the backups yourself.
You then have the problem of where to store the backups.
The whole process of backing up your computer can be a real hassle, so you forget to do it.
Then, one day, your computer fails and you need your backup - but the only one you have is about 10 years out of date! The only way to properly back up your computer is have an automatic copy of your precious data taken and placed somewhere safe.
Online backup technology allows you to do this.
Most Online backup providers will give you a small software program to install on your computer.
You can use the settings in this program to determine what documents will be backed up and when.
Once you have completed the setup, the program will automatically connect to the online backup server and transfer a copy of your data to it at the time you specified.
Some programs even let you take a real time backup, which means files are backed up as soon as they are saved to the hard drive.
This is an invaluable tool if you always forget to do your computer backups as I do.
Once your data has been backed up it will be encrypted and stored on the online backup server for as long as you want.
When you need the backup, all you need to do it visit the website.
Enter your username and password and your data is all there - exactly as it appeared on your hard drive.
Because you can access the data in a web browser, you can access it from any computer with an internet connection, which makes it a really useful tool for me anyway.