Vital data
For many, the most valuable thing about their PC is the data that is stored in it - the work created on the computer; documents, spreadsheets, database records and image files. Consider the time it took to create all these files and how disastrous it would be if they were lost.

So what do you do if your hard disk fails, a virus prevents you starting the PC or your computer gets stolen? You don't panic as long as you have
Backed up your data to a removable storage device.

Methods
There are a number of ways to copy your important files and so protect
them from danger. The cheapest would be to use a CD writer disk drive, but USB flash storage is a lot easier. Using the right software it is an easy matter to copy all your folders of data.
If you deal with very large files, maybe music or video then an External Hard drive might be the better choice. With capacities of over 100GB, external drives can offer another form of protection, that of Disaster Recovery.

Backup Everything
With an application such as Acronis True Image, it is possible to make a complete copy of the entire hard disk. That's the operating system, all the installed applications as well as all your data.
This is called an Image and gives protection against a real disaster such as a dead hard disk. With it, a new hard disk can be completely restored.
And as these 'Images' produce very large files the large capacity of an external drive makes it a great companion.

Ask about the best solution for your backup needs.