Data Backup Methods: How to Keep your Data Safe and Secure

Data is one of the most valuable assets that we have in the modern digital age. Our data, which includes anything from personal images and documents to company files and financial records, is what keeps us connected, informed, and productive in our daily lives. Yet, with the increase in cyberattacks and data breaches, protecting our data from loss, theft, or damage has become increasingly challenging. In this scenario, using data backup strategies is one of the most effective ways to keep your data safe. In the following guide, we’ll look at data backup methods, why they’re important, and how you can use them to keep your data safe and secure.

What is data?

Data is the information that computers and other digital devices collect, store, and process. Data can be in various forms, including text, images, videos, as well as sensor readings from Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Data can be both personal or professional and can range from emails and social media posts to financial records and confidential business information.

The importance of data cannot be overstated, as it plays a vital role in decision-making for individuals, businesses, and governments. It allows us to examine trends, anticipate outcomes, and uncover patterns, all of which can be used to improve not just our lives but also the world around us. Yet, as technology has advanced and the amount of data generated has increased, it has become more difficult to manage, store, and preserve it. This is where data backup strategies come in.

What are data breaches and how do they happen?

A data breach occurs when sensitive, confidential, or personal information is accessed or disclosed without consent. This happens due to a variety of reasons, including hacking, malware attacks, phishing, insider threats, or simply human error.

• Exploiting software vulnerabilities and stolen credentials

Hackers and cybercriminals frequently target financial institutions, healthcare providers, and government entities that keep vast volumes of sensitive data. They utilize a variety of tactics to obtain illegal access to systems and steal information, including exploiting software vulnerabilities, using stolen credentials, or social engineering.

• Performing Phishing scams

Another common way for data breaches to occur is through phishing scams. This involves duping people into disclosing personal information via bogus emails, websites, or phone calls. Cybercriminals may impersonate genuine companies or employ other deception techniques to acquire trust and obtain sensitive information.

• Insider threats are more common than you think

Insider threats pose a substantial risk to data security as well. Employees, contractors, or partners who purposefully or unintentionally leak or steal sensitive data are all included. Human error, such as system misconfiguration or accidental data deletion, can also result in data breaches.

Data breaches can have major consequences for individuals and companies, including financial loss, reputational damage, and legal ramifications. It is critical to take precautions to preserve your data and avoid data breaches.

Data breaches that shocked the world

Data breaches have become all too common in the modern digital age, with many having serious consequences for both individuals and corporations. Here are some of the most well-known data breach incidents that have shocked the world:

1. Medibank (2022) – Medibank Private Ltd, one of the biggest health insurance providers in Australia, was recently hacked. Data belonging to 9.7 million customers, which includes 1.8 million international customers, was stolen by the hackers.
2. Optus (2022) – Optus, another Australian company, was breached last September, and data belonging to its 9.7 million subscribers, which includes their names, dates of birth, phone numbers, and email addresses, was stolen by the hackers.
3. DoorDash (2022) – In August last year, data belonging to 4.9 million customers, workers, and merchants of DoorDash was stolen by hackers. Even though DoorDash itself was not hacked, one of its third-party vendors became the target of a phishing scam which led to hackers stealing all of DoorDash’s private data. 
4. Sony Pictures (2014) – In 2014, a group of hackers stole classified data from Sony Pictures, including confidential employee information, unreleased films, and private email exchanges. The incident was allegedly prompted by the release of the film “The Interview,” which had portrayed North Korea’s leader in an unfavorable light.
5. Celebrate (2014) – In 2014, a group of hackers got access to the iCloud accounts of numerous high-profile celebrities and stole their private pictures and videos. The episode, dubbed “Celebgate,” gained a lot of coverage and elevated the issue of online privacy to the forefront of public attention.

Sadly, it’s not just celebrities and large businesses that are vulnerable to data breaches. As proven by numerous examples of identity theft, credit card fraud, and phishing scams, ordinary people are equally vulnerable to having their personal information stolen. Everyone must take precautions to secure their personal information and be aware of the threats posed by hackers.

The best ways to backup your data

Data is important in our life, which is why safeguarding it is critical. Creating backups of your data is one of the most effective ways to protect it. Here are some of the best methods for backing up your data:

1.    Backing up your data on the external hard drive 

Storing data in external hard drives is the simplest and the most inexpensive solution to back up your data. You can simply connect the external drive to your computer and copy your data to it. External hard drives are available in a variety of storage capacities, allowing you to select one that meets your backup requirements.

2.     Make data storage more convenient with cloud storage backup

Another popular backup solution is cloud storage. This is where your files are saved on remote servers that you can access from any device that can connect to the internet. Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive are some of the most popular cloud storage solutions.

3.     Network Attached Storage (NAS) to connect with your network

A network-attached storage (NAS) device is a specialized file storage system that connects to your home or workplace network. It allows you to back up data from multiple devices and access your files from any device on your network.

4.     Store your data on remote servers

Online backup services back up your data automatically to remote servers. These services also include extra capabilities such as file syncing and sharing. Backblaze and Carbonite are two famous online backup services.

5.     Best of both worlds with physical and online backups

A hybrid backup system combines local and cloud backups to provide redundancy and enhanced security. This method entails establishing local backups on an external hard drive or NAS device as well as cloud backups.

6.     Ensure that you don’t lose data by creating multiple backups

Creating numerous backups of your data is usually a smart idea. This ensures that even if one backup fails, you have other backups to fall back on.

By implementing one or more of these backup methods, you can ensure that your data is protected from loss or damage.

How PureEncrypt can help you encrypt your data

PureEncrypt is an advanced encryption tool that can assist you in protecting your private data. This process converts plain text data into an unreadable format, preventing hackers from reading or accessing it. PureEncrypt encrypts data using advanced encryption algorithms, ensuring that it stays secure and private.

PureEncrypt has several features that make it an excellent data encryption tool:

• It’s simple!
  One of its most notable features is its simplicity. PureEncrypt is intended to be user-friendly, even for those with little to no experience with any encryption software. To encrypt files or folders, you can simply drag and drop them into the PureEncrypt interface.
• Offers end-to-end encryption
  PureEncrypt also provides several encryption options to meet a variety of needs. You can choose from AES-128, AES-192, or AES-256 encryption depending on the level of security you desire. You can also add an extra layer of security by encrypting the data with a password.
• You can use it on any device you want!
  PureEncrypt’s compatibility with a wide range of devices and platforms is another key feature. The tool is available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, allowing you to encrypt data on any of these devices.

PureEncrypt helps keep personal information, financial data, or confidential business information safe from prying eyes. By using PureEncrypt, you can ensure that your private data remains private and secure at all times, even if it falls into the wrong hands.

Keeping data safe in the cloud with PureVPN

Cloud computing has become an indispensable part of our digital life, allowing us to access data from anywhere, at any time. This convenience, however, comes at a cost, because cloud storage can pose major threats to data privacy and security.

Fortunately, you can secure your cloud storage and protect your data from cyber risks by using a reputable VPN service like PureVPN. Here’s how PureVPN can help you:

1.     Encrypting your online activity

PureVPN uses powerful encryption protocols to encrypt all of your online activity, including uploads and downloads from cloud storage. This means that even if someone tries to intercept your online traffic, your data will remain secure and protected.

2.     Hiding your IP address

Hackers and cybercriminals can use your IP address to determine your location, device kind, and other sensitive information. PureVPN allows you to conceal your IP address and maintain your online anonymity.

3.     Bypassing geo-restrictions

Some cloud storage services can be restricted in certain locations or countries, making access to your files difficult. PureVPN enables you to bypass these limitations and access your cloud storage from anywhere in the world.

4.     Preventing data leaks

PureVPN has a kill switch feature that disconnects your internet connection instantly if the VPN connection breaks. This keeps your data from getting exposed to your ISP or other third parties.

Overall, PureVPN can give an extra layer of security to your cloud storage, ensuring that your data is secure and safe from cyberattacks.

World Backup Day

World Backup Day serves as an annual reminder to take necessary precautions to safeguard our valuable data. It is a day to contemplate the significance of data backup and to take action to protect our personal and commercial data from loss or theft. 

You can ensure that your data is always safe, secure, and easily available by applying best practices for data backup and encryption. Thus, on World Backup Day, let’s make a promise to back up our data and protect ourselves from data loss and breaches.

In a nutshell

Your data is extremely valuable, not just for you but also for others with not-so-decent backgrounds. This is why you must back it up and keep it protected at all times. We’re sure that the methods and tools mentioned above are sure to help you in making this possible.

Frequently Asked Questions