Backup advice, part 2: Get it in duplicate

Many people who do remember to backup their data only have one extra copy of their important files. That means they’ll be out of luck if the backup copy is lost to the same calamity that wiped out the computer. To avoid that, back up your data to two different kinds of media. If you normally use an external hard drive for backup, make a second backup on rewritable DVDs or CDs; if you use CDs or DVDs, get an external hard drive as well. Make sure you don’t keep this secondary backup right next to the computer, and if possible store it in a separate location. One way to accomplish that goal, provided you have a broadband Internet connection, is to employ such online backup services as Carbonite, Mozy or Apple’s Mac.

 -Rob Pegoraro, Consumer Technology Columnist