Do you run your own website ? Or perhaps you store important files and documents on your laptop? You must be prepared for the possibility of data loss due to device or software failure, as well as a hacker attack. It's worth protecting yourself against such situations in advance. Backup is ideal for these situations . What is it and why is it important to have it?
What is backup?
A backup is most often defined as a copy of all the data comprising a website . Backups typically store files, pages archived on the server, and all related databases and emails.
Data backups, also known as security copies, play a crucial role in the work of all professionals involved in the broadly defined IT industry. Properly prepared backups enable quick and efficient recovery of website content and critical company data. All items saved in backups are fully restored , regardless of their storage location (e.g., hard drive, disc, flash drive, or online cloud).
What is a backup and how is it different from a security copy?
We already know what a backup is and that it's often called a security copy. However, it's worth being aware that in practice, the two concepts are not entirely identical. A backup, at its core, is a duplicate of data that can be quickly restored in the event of data loss . They allow for a quick return to the state before a failure.
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A backup copy, on the other hand, is created for long-term data storage while providing effective protection against leaks. Such a backup is used when a backup copy has become corrupted and the stored data cannot be read. Restoring data from a backup copy takes longer than restoring backups.
Backups – why is it worth creating them?
As we've already mentioned, backups effectively neutralize the risk of losing data stored on a server . Contrary to popular belief, such situations occur quite frequently. Sometimes, all it takes is a few accidental clicks to irretrievably lose all the fruits of your labor, for example, on a website's SXO .
It's worth creating a backup before you begin working on a given website. This will allow you to effectively avoid various problems related to failed updates or poorly implemented plugins . Backups allow you to restore a website to its state before technical problems occurred. Furthermore, backups are IT specialists' allies in the fight against malicious scripts . Loading an appropriate backup often proves to be a lifeline for those who failed to identify and remove malicious commands earlier.
Types of backups
Backups performed by users or marketing agencies typically differ in scope and the type of files stored. In practice, we most often distinguish three types of backups : full backup , differential backup , and incremental backup . Each type of backup is described in detail in the table below.
Table: Comparison of backup types
| Backup type | Description |
| full backup | contains the full range of files from a given systemis irreplaceable in the event of loss of all data on the disk |
| differential backup | includes only files that have changed since the last backup was savedit contains one file that collects all modifications made after the last backup copy was created, it is created relatively quickly and takes up relatively little space |
| incremental backup | a variant of differential backupcontains several files storing various changes made to the original version of the data since the last backup was created |
To create differential and incremental backups, it is necessary to have at least one full backup copy.
Correct backup – how to create it?
You already know what backups are, but how do you create them? The entire process of creating website backups isn't very complicated. Depending on your individual needs, you can create a manual backup or use plugins.
First, you need to connect to your website server using an FTP client. Next, you need to copy all the files to your hard drive. You can use a special database management tool to export the database.
Users of various content management systems (e.g., WordPress) can use appropriate plugins to create backups. These functional tools allow for the quick generation and transfer of a copy of a website to a hard drive. In more advanced systems, the entire process is automated.
Backups – what should you remember when performing them?
Backups must be kept in good condition. This determines their potential future use to recover lost data. When generating backups, it's important to remember several important things:
- the need to create at least three copies of data – one original and two backups;
- placing each copy made on another medium;
- care and regular backups;
- encryption of data contained in the backup copy;
- systematically conducting audits of existing backup copies.
As a rule, it is recommended to store backups of the same data on different external drives.
Online backup – a modern and functional solution
You don't have to create website backups yourself. This task can (and often should) be entrusted to hosting specialists. Experienced professionals typically choose to create online cloud backups . The resulting data warehouse is typically created using tools like Microsoft OneDrive. The entire process involves first copying all necessary files and then transferring them to OneDrive. This process is simple and intuitive.
Creating backups is a crucial activity that should be performed regularly by website owners (or other authorized individuals). This minimizes the risk of irretrievable website loss and eliminates the need for additional costs associated with re-creating the site.
Summary
The above article covers the following topics:
- It is explained that a backup is a backup of website data, including files, databases and emails, enabling quick recovery of the content.
- A distinction is made between a backup (a duplicate for quick restoration) and a security copy (long-term storage with protection against leakage).
- The reasons for creating backups were identified: protection against data loss, failed updates, bad plugins and malicious scripts.
- Three types of backups are described: full (all files), differential (changes since the last backup), and incremental (individual changes in separate files).
- Backup methods are presented: manually via an FTP client or using plugins in CMS systems such as WordPress.
- The principles of proper backup were listed: minimum three copies on different media, regularity, encryption and audits.
- Online backup in the cloud (e.g. Microsoft OneDrive) was discussed as a modern solution offered by hosting specialists.
