Easy Backup Guide | Set It & Forget It for Peace of Mind

Why You Need a Backup (Yes, You!)

Hard drives fail. Phones get lost. Ransomware happens. Without a backup, your photos, documents, and work could be gone forever. The good news? You can set up automatic backups once and forget about it.

1. Use Cloud Storage (Set & Forget Backup)

Cloud storage automatically syncs your files in the background. Great for daily backups without effort.

• Google Drive (Best for Android/Windows) – Free 15GB, automatic file sync

• iCloud (Best for Apple users) – Backs up iPhones, Macs, and iPads seamlessly

• OneDrive (Best for Microsoft users) – Built into Windows, 5GB free

• Dropbox (Great for sharing) – 2GB free, auto sync

✅Once cloud sync is enabled, your files will always be backed up.

2. Use an Offsite Backup Service (Full Protection, Fully Automatic)

Cloud storage syncs files, but a real backup service keeps versions and restores everything if disaster strikes.

• Backblaze – $9/month, unlimited backup, runs in the background, backs up everything

• iDrive – Cheaper for multiple devices, 5TB for $7/month, automatic file versioning

• Acronis True Image – Cloud plus local backup, built-in ransomware protection

✅Best for: Hands-off, continuous backups of entire computers, not just select files.

3. Use an External Drive (Extra Security for Local Files)

For a fast, offline backup, keep a copy on a portable drive.

• Windows: Use File History to back up files automatically.

• Mac: Use Time Machine for full-system backups.

• Portable SSDs and HDDs – Faster and safer than flash drives.

✅Plug in the external drive once a month, allow the backup to complete, then store it safely.

4. Use a File Sync Tool (For Local Backup and Automated Syncing)

File sync tools allow you to back up files between devices, drives, or network storage without using the cloud.

• FreeFileSync (Windows/Mac/Linux) – Free, powerful, includes RealTimeSync for automatic backups

• SyncBack Free (Windows) – Easy to schedule backups or sync between drives

• Syncthing (Advanced users) – Peer-to-peer syncing between multiple computers

💡 How to Automate It:

Most of these tools allow scheduled tasks or run in the background, so your files stay backed up without you doing anything. FreeFileSync’s RealTimeSync can monitor folders and sync changes instantly.

✅Best for: Local-only backups, fast recovery, and avoiding cloud storage limits.

Follow the 3-2-1 Backup Rule

• 3 copies of your files

• 2 different storage types (e.g., cloud plus external drive)

• 1 copy stored offsite (Backblaze, iDrive, or another location)

✅This protects against hardware failure, accidental deletion, theft, or disasters.

Set It and Forget It

Once automatic backups are enabled, your files remain protected without any extra effort. Need help setting up a reliable backup system? Contact me here.

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