Ever lost a file, photo, or document you thought was safe? Whether your computer crashes, your phone breaks, or you accidentally delete a folder, data loss happens more often than you think.
In this guide, DFN shares how to back up your digital life — with easy, practical steps to protect your photos, files, and memories using cloud storage, external hard drives, and fast fiber internet.
Quick Takeaway:
Back up your important files in three places: locally, on an external hard drive, and in the cloud.
With fiber internet, your backups upload faster and stay protected automatically.
Data Backup Basics
Backing up data means creating a separate copy of your important files so that if your device is lost, broken, or hacked, you don’t lose everything.
You can create several different kinds of backups of your data. Most people back up their personal data to either a physical external hard drive, to the cloud, or to a combination of both.
Backing up to a hard drive gives you a physical copy of your information that doesn’t require a solid internet connection or a paid online storage plan. However, to access your data, you have to have the drive physically with you. And because the drive is a physical asset, it is also prone to damage from things like drops, fire or flood, or theft.
Cloud backups are stored on external servers that another company hosts online for you. Some of the most well-known cloud storage services include Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, or Apple iCloud. Storage space on these servers may cost extra, but you can access all of your files no matter where you are.
DFN recommends using a combination of backup methods both to create redundancy (a backup of your backup) and to make access and recovery as simple as possible. However, like the University of California, Berkeley Information Security Office says, “the best backup is one that works for you and works for your data.” The important part is to back up your most valuable information in a way that is easy for you to manage and restore.
What Should You Back Up
Here are some of the most common, but often missed, items you want to include in your backups:
- Photos & Videos: Family pictures, vacation videos, kids’ milestones, and other irreplaceable memories.
- Documents & Files: Tax returns, financial records, school/work files, or legal documents.
- Contacts & Address Book: Both on your mobile devices and on your email accounts.
- Calendars: Birthdays, memories, and appointment reminders.
- Email Archives, Messages, & Chats (if possible): Including important attachments and conversations.
- Password Vaults & Credential Managers (if you use one): Losing this can lock you out of many services.
- Browser Bookmarks: All those favorite links you’ve gathered over years.
- Social Media Content, Posts, & Memories: Posts, conversations, and photos you’ve been tagged in or you’ve uploaded (especially if you don’t keep local copies).
- App Settings and Configurations: For tech-savvy users, this makes restoring your workflow easier.
In short, anything you’d hate to lose is something you should back up.
Setting Up Backups is Simple
Backing up your data isn’t hard. It just tales a little setup on the front end, and the software manages the rest for you.
Both Windows and Mac computers have built-in backup software, and there are dozens of reputable backup service software options available. (If you choose a third-party app, research the publisher’s credibility and the app’s ratings first.) If you use a cloud service, install its desktop application to make the backup process easy.
Mobile devices, including all of the latest Android and Apple phones and tablets, also include built-in backup services through Google Drive or Apple iCloud, but you can also use third-party apps to back up your data. You can also plug them into a computer or external flash drive to create local copies.
Plus, with the easy-to-use HomePass by Plume® App, you can monitor and manage the performance and connectivity of any device connected to your home network.
Regular Backups are Crucial
The key to protecting your data is making regular backups, since your stored information is constantly changing.
Automatic backups are the easiest and most efficient way to save your files on a schedule without adding one more manual thing to your mental checklists. Set them once, and your chosen software will handle the rest.
DFN strongly recommends a daily backup if you create new files often and a weekly schedule for lighter users. Keep in mind that creating new files includes more than documents. Daily photos, emails, or app data are all worth backing up frequently.
Use the 3-2-1 backup rule: keep 3 copies of data, on 2 different media types (such as 2 hard drives), and 1 copy off-site (like in a cloud service). This may sound like a little overkill, but it’s a proven strategy for ensuring your data is safe.
Finally, test your backups occasionally. Verify that your most recent files are stored correctly, and try restoring a file to confirm it works.
Upload Speed & Bandwidth Boosts for Backups
Backing up to a cloud service can take up a significant amount of bandwidth, especially if you upload large files or frequent updates. If your upload speed is slow, backups can take hours or even fail entirely.
Many internet providers (especially cable, DSL, satellite, or 5G cellular services) offer asymmetrical internet plans, where download speeds are much faster than upload speeds. For users running cloud-based backups, this imbalance can create a major bottleneck on your home network. We recommend setting your automatic backups to run overnight, when everyone is offline.
Symmetrical internet, where upload and download speeds are equal, makes cloud backups much faster and more reliable, particularly for video, photography, or business data. DFN provides symmetrical speeds on all of fiber internet plans, so you’ll never have to worry about slow uploads.
Why Fiber Internet Is the Best Choice for Cloud Backups
With symmetrical upload and download speeds, DFN Fiber Internet ensures your cloud backups complete faster and more reliably. Whether you’re uploading photos, videos, or work files, fiber handles it all without slowing down the rest of your home network.
Not sure whether your current plan supports cloud backups? Give us a call, and our Customer Service Representatives will help you choose a fiber plan that fits both your upload and download needs, and your budget.
FAQ
- What’s the best way to back up my computer in 2025?
Use a combination of local and cloud storage for redundancy. - Is cloud backup safe for personal data?
Yes, as long as you use reputable providers with encryption and multi-factor authentication. - How often should I back up my files?
DFN recommends daily automatic backups for active users, weekly for casual users. - Why does upload speed matter for cloud backups?
Faster upload speeds — like those from fiber internet — make backups quick, reliable, and less likely to fail.
Visit DFN.net or call (541) 673-4242 to learn more. Our Customer Service Representatives can help you choose the right plan.