Are you looking for a better way of backing up your system?  Listen to the podcast, “Back It Up” by Startup Nation.   The accompanying podcast also includes a list of the better known online backup services.

Some of the unlimited storage services are great for photo backups and your less confidential files.  I am very wary about putting any financial or other files that people can use for identity theft on online storage although some have great security in place.

Be prepared for the first backup to take a significant time (maybe even days) depending on how much data/pictures you have.

How do I backup?

I use my web hosting package (which has a large amount of storage available that I don’t use) to store less confidential files - for the most part my pictures.  I do this through a backup program, Genie, that I own and an FTP server.  My husband has access to this server as well so he can edit or send photos to the family.

I also use a secure connection on my hosting package to store the files for the geneology of my family.   Other family members, located throughout the US and Europe, have a password and id to get to it.

I also own two external hard drives.  One is kept in my safety deposit box at the bank.  I backup my computer once a week.  Every other month (which is enough for me), I swap the hard drive in my safety deposit box with the one I keep at home.

This system works for me.  I have my files at home (in case my computer crashes) and off location in case there is a house fire.  Finally, my pictures and geneology files are shared with family members so we can collaborate on them.