Backups
Let's say the worst does happen and your computer's storage drive fails or is stricken with some nasty rootkit, trojan or ransomware. Suddenly, all of your important documents, pictures and other sensitive information are at risk. What do you do now? Storage drives can always be replaced, but what about your files? Sure, you can spend a lot of time, money and frustration salvaging your data or getting rid of the infection, but there is a very simple solution: load a backup. No matter how bad the damage or infection, with a simple backup you can be up and running in just a few minutes. The cost is any available external storage medium with sufficient space and a few minutes of your time now, before it happens. Remember, you're not just buying a backup plan, you're buying peace of mind. The backup process itself can be automated, but this will involve always having the backup medium online and vulnerable to data errors and infection. Occasional manual backups will keep your data safe and, if available, the option for incremental or differential backups will make the process quick and easy. Windows comes with built-in backup software, but you can also use other popular (and often more fully featured) paid versions, like Acronis True Image and Macrium Reflect. Also, some manufacturers of storage drives, like Western Digital and Seagate, will offer their customers limited versions of professional backup software free for download at their websites.
The Cloud
The "Cloud" is an often misunderstood term. It is not a world-wide autonomous storage medium that encompasses the globe. Nor is it an infallible means of backing up your personal data. The cloud or, more accurately, cloud computing is actually a service offered by a plethora of companies to store and safeguard their customers' private information and processing resources. Your data is shared across a network of servers designed to improve storage capacity, ease of access and security through distribution. But the cloud is still a budding industry and a third party means of storing and processing information; therefore, your sensitive data is still vulnerable to unauthorized access. While it is useful for storing large capacity files like images and videos, you may wish to keep your sensitive data off the cloud and on your personal computer or backup drive.