Disaster Recovery

Do you have a disaster recovery plan? For when your computer fails? And you think you've lost all your precious data files? If the answer is Yes, brilliant! If the answer is No, keep reading.

I am having a disaster! It started on Sunday when my computer told me that files in the Windows startup area were either missing or corrupted. I went all hot and cold! And then I put my Disaster Recovery plan (such as it is) into action. Now read on!

My data files had been backed up only the day before, and I'm usually careful about doing a regular backup. But I need a plan set in stone, never to be deviated from.

So, Learning Point 1: do backups on a particular day at a particular time.

But what to back up? My list has:

• Internet Explorer/Firefox Favorites/Bookmarks
• MozBackup for Firefox and Thunderbird backups
• use the export function on my Diary and Address Book (I use Palm Desktop because I have a Palm Pilot that I sync with Palm Desktop)
• use the Backup function in Outlook (which I use for my business emails)

All the above backups go to a separate internal hard drive, where I also store all my data files, both personal and business.

• use SyncToy to backup my internal data hard rive to an external hard drive. (SyncToy is a free Microsoft program)

Learning Point 2: Regularly review what is backed up and where.

So, seems pretty organised, eh? Yes, but the panic still set in. There are hardware problems to sort out now. What happened next? Watch this space for updates on the process.

Key Programs to Keep Up-to-date

The main reason software producers provide updates is to plug security holes in their software. That is especially true of those programs nearly all of us have in our systems. If I were a creator of malicious and destructive viruses, I'd want to go for maximum impact, so I'd choose a program or operating system that is most used. (That's the reason Apple Macs have not been attacked by viruses, not because their operating system is "better" than any other, it's just not used by a significant number of people to be of interest to the virus creators.)

For example, Adobe Reader (the free version) has been the subject of a number of security updates recently, simply because nearly all of us use it to access pdf files and the virus makers found a security hole in earlier versions.

So, which are the programs we should all regularly make sure are up-to-date? Here are some suggestions:

• Adobe Reader (as mentioned above)
• Adobe Flash Player - because we all use it for the moving image bits of websites
• Java Runtime Environment - it sits there doing nothing most of the time, but occasionally other programs require it, and it is the only form of Java freely available
• Apple iTunes (and other Apple software) - especially in households with teenagers, as it is the place for downloading, storing, and playing music
• Any popular web browser other than Microsoft Internet Explorer, e.g., Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome
• Any non-Microsoft program you use to send and receive emails, e.g., Mozilla Thunderbird
  

And of course: Windows!

As other programs spring to mind, I will be adding to this post. Suggestions also welcome.

"How do I make sure my software is up-to-date?" I hear you cry! The answer to that question will be the subject of a separate post. Watch this space!

Windows XP

Windows XP has been the most successful operating system ever! But some good things have to come to an end. As of now, there will be no new sales of Windows XP. However, Microsoft will continue to provide updates till April 2014. Their argument is that will give us all enough time to plan the migration to Windows 7.

Internet Safety

In the USA, it's National Cyber Security Awareness Month.

For a variety of checklists - depending on who you are - go to:

http://www.defeatingthehacker.com/securitysavvy/freestuff.html

Some of the finest safety advice you'll ever get!

Sound Advice for Backups

This excellent advice comes with acknowledgments to Gizmo's Freeware at:

http://www.techsupportalert.com/

"If you're backing up to an external USB drive that's connected to your main PC, a disaster such as a fire, flood or theft could easily deprive you of both your main machine and the backup.

"When you're planning a backup regime, choice of software isn't as important as choice of storage location. Off-site, or at least a drive that you take away from your house (or small-business office) once the backup is complete, is always the way to go."

Free Security Software for Small Businesses

Microsoft is making available free security software. And it's a good product.
Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) is getting rave reviews, so if you have 10 or fewer work stations in your business, I would advise you to consider installing MSE next time you are nagged to pay to renew your existing software.

For the full story, go to:

http://tinyurl.com/2w2o57p

Microsoft Fix It Center

Microsoft is offering us the chance to beta test an "automated troubleshooter for your PC."

It's free, and certainly worth a look:

http://fixitcenter.support.microsoft.com/Portal

If your problem is not shown, there is the "Microsoft Fix It Center Online" to consult.

A word of warning: don't expect it to solve everything! Your PC has to be "working" to be able to use the facility, and preferably able to access the internet. So, there will still be a need for people like me. Phew!