One in four South Africans are not backing up data on their phones.
With World Backup Day on 31 March, Dialdirect Insurance says backing up data should be non-negotiable.
A report by Dialdirect shows that 25% of respondents in a survey don’t back up their phones, with 9% citing no specific reason and 16% saying they can’t, due to data or storage limitations.
“The issue is that while insurance can replace a lost, damaged or stolen phone, it can’t replace the precious data that’s on it. Rebuilding contacts and data could already be a nearly unsurmountable task, but replacing memories captured on photos and videos is virtually impossible, making a solid back-up strategy an absolute must,” said Anneli Retief, the head of Dialdirect.
10 tips for doing backups:
– Know how to back up: The most basic but effective way of backing up is simply copying and pasting files and folders to a new storage device to create a duplicate. Most software on modern smartphones and other devices, however, allow for easy, automated backups, which can be done at the click of a button or automatically at scheduled times, or when your device isn’t in use, in case you forget.
– Know what to back up: Prioritise more irreplaceable items like pictures, videos, e-mails, address books and documents first, then things like program and music files.
– Calculate your storage requirements: Check the amount of data your device has stored on it, normally in Settings – Storage, and make sure that you have adequate space on your backup device.
– The 3-2-1 rule: Digital security company, Norton, suggests creating three copies of your data, on at least two storage platforms and having one of them stored remotely.
– Use backup time to declutter: Delete any pictures, videos and documents you no longer need before backing up, as this can save a significant amount of space.
– Label your backups clearly: Use physical labels on devices, as well as smartly labelled folders, to make sure that all data is easy to sort and find.
– Backup care: Make sure that your backup devices and drives are stored as specified by their manufacturer – mostly in clean, dry and cool environments. Check your backups from time to time to make sure they work, as none of the devices have an infinite life span. Make backups of the backups if and when needed.
– Protect your info: If certain information on your backups is sensitive, it’s wise to password protect the files and/or folders they are contained in.
– Do it now: The biggest regret that many people have is that they postponed their backups for too long, because they didn’t have time or storage, or because they were confident that “it won’t happen to me”.
– Set reminders: Even if you schedule automatic backups, be sure to set reminders to check your backups every now and then to make sure that they are taking place and working.
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