QuickBooks Tip: Don't forget to backup your data. Your backup procedure is part of your disaster recovery should the unthinkable happen, from your computer crashing, to a stolen laptop, to fires, floods or other natural disasters. Backup as often as you don't want to have to re-enter your data should anything happen. If you enter a lot of data on a daily basis, then you probably want to backup daily. If you're only entering a few transactions a week, then a weekly backup is fine.
Also critical is getting your data off-site. If you house or your business is robbed or burned down, your data can be taken from you in an instant. There are several ways to backup your data online. They will require a piece of software downloaded onto your computer, but you set when you want the backup to run. This only works if your computer is turned on when you've got it set to run. Most backup softwares can also be set to run any time data is changed or to work in the background while you are also working. The last can cause slowing of your computer so be aware of this. If you chose not to use an online backup service, then be sure to take your CD, flash drive, or other backup media to another location, such as a safety deposit box. Your media rotation may also be a combination of a physical device and online backups. It's important to get a backup system of some sort in place and make sure it's carried out according to the plan by you and/or your employees.
Backups can also help in fraud prevention if you can have a slow rotation of your backup media. It's a good idea to have an archive backup done every year or every six months. This way, if you suspect transactions are getting changed, you can load up a copy of your older data alongside your current data to compare the two. If you do this, just be sure to not overwrite your current company data when restoring; always give it a different name than your current company name.
Your information is more valuable than you think, but most people don't realize this until it's too late. Don't get caught off-guard.
Don't let a good computer go bad!
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