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24 May 2011 By ABradney-George

The Ultimate Backup Software Review

24 May

How much value do you place on a backup software review? Here we look at what should be considered before deciding on backup software.

Using backup software can save a lot of hassles when something goes wrong on a computer's hard drive, but how much should we invest in these types of programs? When products and publishers are not as familiar to us, finding the right kind of program, at the right price, can be tricky.

Considering the two main types of backup software, reviewed below, will help to focus the search onto more specific products. That means you can make use of reviews with some background knowledge of what you really want in backup software.

Traditional Backup Software

Traditional backup software will save content from your hard drive to a local, network or remote drive of your choosing. These copies can be accessed and updated regularly, which means the information is protected against any hard drive errors.

Some of the best backup software is from publishers including Acronis , Genie, Paragon and Symantec, who are all well established in the backup software field. The industry is becoming more popular as well, and other backup software from publishers like Norton and Nero - known for antivirus and multimedia software respectively - is creating more competition.

However, all backup software is different when the features are compared. The biggest consideration is the two main ways this software will work:

Copying only the files and folders that you specify; and
Making an exact copy or image of the hard drive

The first option is best for people who only want to backup or archive data files, so long as they also have a copy of Windows in case the system needs to be restored. The second option is better for people who want to copy everything, including Windows and makes it easier to restore everything.

Backup software like Genie Timeline Pro has become popular for using the second option, and "imaging" the saved content to mirror the layout of files on your computer. However, this software can be more of an investment for people, so it is important to consider whether it is the right choice for your situation.

Online Backup Options

Software and services providing online backup options allow users to backup important images, documents and files securely and easily over the Internet. These remote storage options are sometimes referred to as part of"the cloud" or cloud computing, which has been defined by this Infoworld article as a new online infrastructure that "extends IT's existing capabilities".

These backup solutions, led by software such as Norton Online Backup and Mozy Backup, allow people to purchase space as much space as they need for important files. Some services, like SugarSync, also synchronize data across the system so that it is always up-to-date.

However, some people are not yet convinced that "the cloud" is reliable, and it has been criticized as a risk for some users, as one argument in a PC Mag opinion piece outlines.

In spite of this view, the appeal for these services is growing and is also enhanced by more options for free data backup. Free software like IDrive Online Backup and MySecurity Centre Online Backup provide essential data backup services, and are a good way to get experience with online backup options without paying any money.

No matter what type of computer you have, whether it is old or brand new, having a data backup program in place can save a lot of time and money. Comparing different options and considering what will be the most appropriate and secure is an important part of the process and reading a backup software review specific to the options you are considering can make all the difference.