Protect your data before catastrophe strikes – after is too late
I know you felt it because I did, too. Watching coverage of the Los Angeles fires and, now, the destruction left in their wake, has been heartbreaking. A reader emailed me: “People had very little time to gather anything before they had to leave their houses. I’d appreciate your advice on what to do before a catastrophe.”
I can absolutely help. Let’s focus on what’s hardest to take with you: The files stored on your computer. I hope you never need to rely on these backups. If you do, you’ll be glad you made ‘em.
Mix and match
Start with photos, documents, videos and anything else important in your personal or professional life. Ideally, you want two backups in case something happens to your original files and one of the backups fails.
Make sure both backups are stored remotely. For digital backups, that means in the cloud, not your desktop. For physical backups, I like a fireproof, waterproof safe.
👉 This $240 IslandSafe option can withstand 1,200-degree temps for up to 30 minutes.
What about old-school paper documents? Convert them to digital. Google Drive, Dropbox, Adobe Scan and the Notes app for iPhone all let you scan documents using only your phone’s camera. So easy. Keep the originals in a safety deposit box at your bank (if they still offer that) or with a trusted friend or relative who lives somewhere else.
Sync and save
Plenty of services sync files between the cloud and your computer in real time, so you don’t even need to click “Back up.” Expect to pay a few dollars a month for storage. Google Drive and Dropbox are super popular for this, but there are options built into your computer, too:
- On Windows: Hit Start > Settings > Accounts > OneDrive. Choose what to back up (like Documents and Pictures).
- On macOS: Click the Apple menu > System Settings, select your Apple account name, then hit iCloud. Select any category, like Photos or Notes.
Go external
For your most important digital data, get an external hard drive and set a calendar reminder to copy over your files every 60 days or so.
👉 The Samsung T7 Shield (45% off, $157) or the 5TB WD My Passport ($145) are both great picks. These drives come with backup software, but I prefer using my computer’s built-in options here, too.
- On Windows: Open your Start menu, search for Windows Backup and click to open it. Then, click Folders, Apps, Settings or Credentials to choose what to transfer and to where.
- On a Mac: Try Time Machine. Open System Settings > General > Add Backup Disk. Choose your external drive, and back up your computer manually or automatically. Click on the Time Machine icon on the menu bar (two arrows forming a circle) for both options.
Fun fact: I don’t like USB drives
They’re too easy to lose. I’ve seen recommendations to keep your important files on one and carry that on your keys so you always have it on you. Uh, that’s a disaster waiting to happen. If you insist on a thumb drive, stick it in a safe so you can grab it and move quickly.
👉 If you go this route, the SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB (16% off, $36) is durable and speedy.
While you’re thinking about having to leave home on short notice, there’s no harm in keeping a fully charged power bank close to hand. It means you can rely on your phone for a lot longer.
👉 The $90 Anker 737 (40% off) will recharge your phone about six times on a single charge.
Now, go forth and disaster prep. One day, you might be glad you did. And if you never need these backups, even better. Be a pal and share this with someone in your life.
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