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If you use a computer do you do back ups and hoe often - a precautionary tale.

(11 Posts)
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M0nica Sat 31-Oct-26 14:18:17

On Monday my computer crashed. A virus got round my AVG protection and crashed my computer and wiped all the data on it. My local computer shop has cleaned the machine and reset it, but my documents and pictures have gone completely

Fortunately I have only had the machine 3 months and when DH was setting it up for me and moving my documents etc across from the machine that was being replaced, he backed up first to a hard drive so I can reload all my files up to approx early August from that.

This means not only have I lost any new documents I have opened since August, but also all the data I had entered on existing documents since then. For me this includes my calendar, and all the spreadsheets that run my life..

I am now instituting a new regime of backing up files weekly. First thing Sunday morning. Fortunately I can still get email and internet on my old pc

But if you use a computer start backing up. With AI the viruses and other disruptive systems are coming thicker and faster and on occasion they get round existing protection before that protective system can stop them I have bought another years protection for the replaced and essentially defunct previous pc. I am taking no risks now.

Another form of prepping.

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M0nica Sat 31-Oct-26 14:19:30

Oh, I am aware of the cloud, but these days is that safe?

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fancythat Sat 31-Oct-26 14:38:59

I have spent years taking things off my computer altogether.
If mine crashes, it wont matter in the slightest.

I think DH backs up his regularly.
But I need to check.

Some of his stuff is paper too.
Neither of us went fully onto computer. Even from the beginning.

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Samsara1 Sat 31-Oct-26 14:40:46

All my stuff goes to The Cloud.

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Chestnut Sat 31-Oct-26 15:05:11

I use a desktop pc but keep all my files on an external hard drive. Several years ago the hard drive gave up and I hadn't backed up for quite a while. I had to send it to a company who charged nearly £500 to retrieve the data. Expensive lesson!

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Tenko Sat 31-Oct-26 15:20:02

My laptop does an automatic back up . As does my phone. They’re both Apple

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Wyllow3 Sat 31-Oct-26 15:24:09

Get an Apple.

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Wyllow3 Sat 31-Oct-26 15:26:26

Apple Macs cost more but its not just I cloud but also using them since 1989 I have never once had to worry, or pay for virus security.

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M0nica Sat 31-Oct-26 15:55:24

Wyllow3

Apple Macs cost more but its not just I cloud but also using them since 1989 I have never once had to worry, or pay for virus security.

I could have said that until last Monday, although I do have AVG installed.

As I said, as well,given recent happenings. the cloud could get taken down or hacked.

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Graphite Sat 31-Oct-26 16:21:05

No internet-connected device is completely immune to cybersecurity threats but Macs are far safer than other systems.

Like Wyllow, I have been using Macs for decades, pay for no additional security and have never had any problems.

Bear in mind that up to 90% of cyber attacks involve some form of direct human element involving data abuse.

You need to be thinking about why you have been subject to this attack now and what might have precipitated it.

Did the people who cleaned up your machine identify exactly what the attack was and how it infiltrated your system?

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JamesandJon33 Sat 31-Oct-26 16:28:17

I write, so save all my work on the compute plus on a separate USB stick. If I am interrupted saving my work comes first.
Norton scans regularly.

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