2 Critical Reasons Jump Drives Are Weak for Backup
One of the easiest things you can do today to gain peace of mind is to back up your data.
There are just too many things that can happen to either your computer or your files - the continuum ranges from theft to coffee spills and events that are lurking out there to rob you of all your hard work by destroying your access to the data you have saved.
Furthermore, less than 6% of us backup every day - astoundingly low.
Given that most computer users are active on the internet and changing their data every day - saving pictures, sending emails, etc, it just makes sense to make backing up a daily routine.
The 2 most often used ways of backing up data are: 1.
Hard media 2.
Online data storage If you choose hard media, the 2 usual culprits are external hard drives or a flash/jump drives ("flash" = "jump).
External hard drives are large and bulky and hard to carry with you.
Flash drives are small and compact and an easy way to back things up.
The jumps even come with a little hole to put it on your key chain.
Jump drives are incredibly convenient but that's why this backup strategy scares me.
Actually, their convenience is a problem for 2 reasons: 1.
Easy to carry = Easy to lose I know, you are probably meticulous about your stuff and don't lose things.
I used to think that about myself too till I lost my wallet last week, right after losing my 2nd Jawbone.
Being in this business I am a magnet for data loss stories, so I hear about people losing data and devices all the time, so I don't feel all that unique! With your data, losing your backup copy can be devastating.
The jump drive is almost TOO convenient.
Anything that can be carried in your pocket has a huge potential to just slip out and be gone.
Also, if you use a jump as your backup strategy, you will need to store it somewhere else - how much good is a copy of your data if it is sitting next to your computer in your pocket? 2.
Flash Memory can be unreliable and can break Flash memory must be checked each time you save.
That can be a pain and difficult to integrate into a routine - especially if you have a lot of data.
Also, if you use a jump drive, you get one that is compatible with both USB v1.
1 and USB v2.
0 (and "backward" compatible with v1.
0).
Otherwise, you won't be able to use it on certain systems.
As well, the USB connector can get bent or broken and you won't be able to access your data copy.
Bottom line is, jump drives are just too big a risk to be used as your only data backup strategy.
Another strategy I strongly recommend is to consider online backup.
It's not as cheap as a jump drive ($5/month for online unlimited vs.
about $20 for an 8 GB jump), but it will backup all your data automatically, which is affordable for most everyone.
In conclusion, jump drives are theoretically great ways to save data but practically speaking, weak as a data backup strategy.
There are just too many things that can happen to either your computer or your files - the continuum ranges from theft to coffee spills and events that are lurking out there to rob you of all your hard work by destroying your access to the data you have saved.
Furthermore, less than 6% of us backup every day - astoundingly low.
Given that most computer users are active on the internet and changing their data every day - saving pictures, sending emails, etc, it just makes sense to make backing up a daily routine.
The 2 most often used ways of backing up data are: 1.
Hard media 2.
Online data storage If you choose hard media, the 2 usual culprits are external hard drives or a flash/jump drives ("flash" = "jump).
External hard drives are large and bulky and hard to carry with you.
Flash drives are small and compact and an easy way to back things up.
The jumps even come with a little hole to put it on your key chain.
Jump drives are incredibly convenient but that's why this backup strategy scares me.
Actually, their convenience is a problem for 2 reasons: 1.
Easy to carry = Easy to lose I know, you are probably meticulous about your stuff and don't lose things.
I used to think that about myself too till I lost my wallet last week, right after losing my 2nd Jawbone.
Being in this business I am a magnet for data loss stories, so I hear about people losing data and devices all the time, so I don't feel all that unique! With your data, losing your backup copy can be devastating.
The jump drive is almost TOO convenient.
Anything that can be carried in your pocket has a huge potential to just slip out and be gone.
Also, if you use a jump as your backup strategy, you will need to store it somewhere else - how much good is a copy of your data if it is sitting next to your computer in your pocket? 2.
Flash Memory can be unreliable and can break Flash memory must be checked each time you save.
That can be a pain and difficult to integrate into a routine - especially if you have a lot of data.
Also, if you use a jump drive, you get one that is compatible with both USB v1.
1 and USB v2.
0 (and "backward" compatible with v1.
0).
Otherwise, you won't be able to use it on certain systems.
As well, the USB connector can get bent or broken and you won't be able to access your data copy.
Bottom line is, jump drives are just too big a risk to be used as your only data backup strategy.
Another strategy I strongly recommend is to consider online backup.
It's not as cheap as a jump drive ($5/month for online unlimited vs.
about $20 for an 8 GB jump), but it will backup all your data automatically, which is affordable for most everyone.
In conclusion, jump drives are theoretically great ways to save data but practically speaking, weak as a data backup strategy.
