(1).png "Test your backups")
Those who back up important files will not lose them. At least if the backup works when needed. Therefore, check the backup regularly.
Check backups made
Every sensible user backs up important documents, photos and other files. Because the question is not whether something will go wrong, but when something will go wrong. Users generally forget to verify that the backup created actually works. It will happen to you: after a crash you take the backup but it doesn’t work at all. Lost all files. Therefore, check every now and then whether the backup is still functioning.
Backup options
The article “Backing Up: The Possibilities” discusses how to determine your backup strategy. The storage options are a USB stick or external hard drive, or storage in the cloud.
USB stick and external hard drive
Connect the USB stick or external hard drive to the computer. Open folders and files randomly to see if that works. Then try to copy them to an empty folder on the computer. And lastly, check that all important files that you expect to be backed up are present on the USB stick or external hard drive.
Cloud storage
Whether it’s a free or paid service, don’t assume everything will work perfectly. Log in to the service online and use your browser to see whether the files you are saving are available there.
How often should I check my backup?
There are no fixed guidelines for the frequency. One will want to check after every manual backup that everything went well. Another finds an annual check sufficient. But if you do the above monthly, you’ll get routine and it’s a job of a few minutes.