Backups

Losing your data isn’t just an inconvenience — for many businesses and families, it can be devastating. At WhiteStone Computers, we offer complete data backup solutions to make sure that never happens to you.

Whether you need on-site backups for fast, local access to your files, off-site backups that protect against local disasters and theft, or cloud backups that keep your data accessible from anywhere in the world — we have you covered. Our backup services are tailored to fit your needs, whether you’re an individual protecting cherished photos and documents or a business safeguarding critical customer and financial records.

Don’t wait until something goes wrong. Let WhiteStone Computers set up a backup solution that gives you real peace of mind — so you can focus on what matters most.

Backups

IN-DEPTH
(for the curious minded)

Why Backups Matter — And How to Do Them Right

If you’ve ever lost important files due to a crashed hard drive, a ransomware attack, or even an accidental delete, you know the sinking feeling that follows. At WhiteStone Computers, we’ve seen it happen to businesses and families in the Union City area more times than we’d like to count. The good news? It’s almost entirely preventable with the right backup strategy.

What Is a Backup, Exactly?

A backup is simply a copy of your data stored somewhere separate from your main device. That can include documents, photos, emails, databases, or your entire system. The idea is straightforward: if something goes wrong with your original data, you have a copy ready to restore.

Simple in theory — but a lot of people don’t do it until it’s too late.

Why You Can’t Afford to Skip Backups

Hardware fails. Viruses spread. Accidents happen. Any one of these can wipe out years of important files in seconds. For small businesses especially, data loss can mean lost customer records, financial documents, and operational data that’s nearly impossible to recreate.

Ransomware is a growing threat worth calling out specifically. This type of attack encrypts all your files and holds them hostage until you pay — often hundreds or thousands of dollars. A solid backup means you can simply restore your system to before the attack and walk away without paying a cent.

The Main Types of Backups

Not all backups work the same way. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Full Backup — A complete copy of everything. The most thorough option, but it takes the most time and storage space. Best done weekly or monthly.
Incremental Backup — Only backs up what’s changed since the last backup. Faster and lighter on storage, making it great for daily use.
Differential Backup — Backs up everything changed since the last full backup. A middle ground between the two above.
Mirror/Cloud Backup — A real-time or near-real-time copy, often stored offsite or in the cloud. Excellent for disaster recovery.

For most homes and small businesses, a combination of daily incremental backups and a weekly full backup is a solid starting point.

Where Should You Store Your Backups?

The golden rule is the 3-2-1 strategy: keep 3 copies of your data, on 2 different types of storage, with 1 stored offsite (or in the cloud).

In practice, that might look like:

Your main computer
An external hard drive kept at home or the office
A cloud service like OneDrive, Google Drive, or a dedicated backup service

External drives are fast and convenient but can be stolen, damaged in a fire, or simply fail over time. Cloud storage adds an important layer of protection since it’s physically separate from your location. Ideally, you want both.

Don’t Forget to Test Your Backups

This is the step most people skip — and it’s critical. A backup you’ve never tested is a backup you can’t count on. Every few months, try restoring a file or folder from your backup to confirm it actually works. You don’t want to discover a problem the day you desperately need your data back.

Also periodically check that all your important folders are actually being included. It’s easy for new files or folders to get left out of an automated backup without you realizing it.

Need Help Setting Up a Backup System?

At WhiteStone Computers, we help homes and businesses in Union City, Indiana and the surrounding area set up reliable backup solutions that fit their needs and budget. Whether you need a simple external drive setup or a more comprehensive cloud-based system, we can take care of it.

Give us a call or stop by — we’ve been keeping local data safe since 1986.