How Do I Back Up My Computer Safely?

I learned the importance of backups the hard way in 2012 when my laptop’s hard drive died with three years of family photos and my graduate thesis. I lost everything—a mistake that cost me hundreds of hours trying to recover data and caused genuine emotional pain from losing irreplaceable photos. As an IT consultant who has helped hundreds of clients recover from data disasters, I can tell you that backups aren’t just for tech-savvy people or businesses—everyone needs them, and setting them up is simpler than you think. This guide explains exactly how to protect your important files using the battle-tested backup strategies I’ve refined over a decade of professional experience.