We’ll tell you how often you should back up your data. We’ve got you covered if you aren’t sure what to you. Tap or click here for five ways to back up your data like a pro. Before we dive in, we’d like to thank our sponsor, IDrive, for sponsoring this tip. Later, you’ll learn how this helpful tech tool protects your data.

Regular data backups protect you from ransomware

Ransomware is one of the nastiest threats out there. Hackers infect your computer or smartphone with a virus that locks down your information. Just like that, you can’t access any of your important files — unless you pay an expensive ransom. Never loosen your pockets for a cybercriminal. According to the FBI, paying a ransom doesn’t mean you’ll get your data back. After all, someone devious enough to put you in this situation isn’t trustworthy enough to keep their word. Instead, perform regular data backups ahead of time so hackers won’t have any leverage. This is one of the best ways to protect yourself against ransomware. Tap or click here for more ransomware prevention strategies you should know about. Think of a backup as an ace up your sleeve. Once your data is secured, hackers won’t be able to hold your files hostage. You’re stripping cybercriminals of their bargaining chip.

Follow these data backup frequency guidelines

You should back up your important data once a week at a minimum. Ideally, you should back it up daily. This way, you won’t miss anything important — even if a hacker or a technical issue hits you overnight. If you don’t backup your data at least once a day, you could permanently lose your:

Emails.Appointments.Invoices.Documents.Precious photos.Spreadsheets.Presentations.Contact information.Passwords and more.

Manually backing up your data daily might sound like a lot of work. Luckily, there are many automatic ways to get the job done. This way, you can focus on the important stuff while programs quietly protect your data in the background. Most cloud storage companies will automatically back up your data once a day. That includes our sponsor, IDrive.

Here’s why Kim trusts IDrive to protect her digital life

Some cloud companies charge an arm and a leg. With IDrive, you get an affordable service that lets you back up an unlimited amount of devices on one cloud account. You can even manage your files remotely from any web browser. On top of that, IDrive can restore your data — no matter how many files you have. It encrypts your data and has different privacy levels to choose from. At the highest level, you can create a custom privacy key for your entire account. Your files are secured so you can get peace of mind while you work. Defend your data with IDrive. Save a whopping 90% when you sign up at IDrive.com and use the promo code “Kim” at checkout.