Southern Utah Technology & Design Computer Consultants

Unfortunately the time that people think about data backups is about 10 minutes after you really needed to. Loss of your computers data can be devastating to you and/or your company. The old saying better safe than sorry particularly applies to your computers. Hardware failure occurs all of the time. Hard disk heads can only re-magnetize a hard disk platter so many times, particularly in those pesky Windows XP temporary files cache locations.

Here are a few things to consider when you want to backup your important data:

1) Try to store your data in a central location.

If you are running Windows, Microsoft has made this somewhat easy for you. All of your data related to you is in your Profile Folder. (Desktop, My Pictures, My Documents, Bookmarks, Addresses) Some of these things are harder to track down than others. If you’re like me and don’t like to clutter up your My Documents folder with work related things and keep some data right on your hard drives root then make sure and back up that folder too.

2) Don’t backup your data to the same drive.

I know this seems like common sense but it must be said. A drive failure causes all data on that drive to be lost. Data storage is very inexpensive these days. (This is where the prevention comes in) Get yourself a second hard drive. The easiest way to do this is an external hard drive. Slightly more expensive but can be really convenient.

3) Smoke alarms save people not data.

It’s been said, “if your data doesn’t exist in three places, it doesn’t exist.” Guess where the third place should be? Any other building that is not where your computer is located. If your data is at the office, take it home. If it’s at home take it to the office, if it’s at the office take it home. Remember that external Hard Drive you just bought? While your ordering that why don’t you make that two. Once a week swap your two backup drives. This way if building burns down, is broken into, or suffers an explosion you won’t be up a creek without a paddle.

There are many software backup solutions out there. Some with more bells and whistles than others. If you are looking for something simple, Windows has a build in backup utility. You can find more information about it here.

Company wide backups are a bit trickier. (Warning: Shameless plug ahead!!!) Southern Utah Technology and Design LLC can help you in that department. We offer advanced company backup systems that will give you automated incremental (Save Changes to individual Files) backups of your data.

With all that said remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Protecting a company’s information is important no matter what size of a company. Companies and individuals are moving into a digital age. In order to ensure the security of company information proper password procedures need to be followed. Some useful tips in order to have proper security are as follows:

1. Increase password length – Most web sites and software programs require a minimum of 6-8 characters. This is a safe bet but having a longer password makes cracking the password more difficult.
2. Use numeric, capital letters and special characters – By using numeric numbers, capital letters and special characters it eliminates certain types of password attacks such as dictionary attacks where common words and phrases are used to determine the password.
3. Avoid writing the password down – By writing the password down and displaying it on the monitor or desk it makes it assessable for anyone walking by. This defeats the purpose of the password in the first place.
4. Changing the password – Changing your password every so often say monthly or every few months helps eliminate someone from using old or previously used passwords to gain entry to current sensitive information.
5. Have multiple passwords – Having multiple passwords can reduce what an attacker can gain access too. One concern for an individual is remembering all the passwords. A good way to do this is to use a password locker. A password locker is a digital filing cabinet, which stores your passwords in an encrypted file. You then only have to remember one password.
6. Use the first letters of a phrase – An easy way to create an easy to remember password is to use the letters of a phrase with easy to remember numbers. IE: ILtWomC23 (I Love to Work on my Computer 23)

Password security is vital in protecting company’s digital assets. By using the above tips, possible violation can be avoided.

Welcome to Southern Utah Technology & Design. Each week, Jake and I will be posting helpful tips and tricks in the world of small business management, account, and IT design. Please check back often to see the latest developments of our site and up and coming features.