System Administrators, buckle up and backup!
Backup! Now! Don't waste time, for you don't have any.
If you are not convinced, then consider these facts: Every day hundreds of new viruses are let loose on the internet by over enthusiastic amateur programmers, even more malicious worms find its way around the cyber world, scores of modified and updated Trojans are 'deposited' on the net by 'wanna be' hackers. Not impressed about the need for backup?
Here is some more for you: Every other day, many big software houses admit gaping security holes in their software that make a sitting duck of any online system where the software is installed. Popular software like internet browsers, operating systems, file sharing software, download managers and mailing software are fraught with security holes leaving the system where they are installed vulnerable to data loss. So backup, now!
Security threat? Gimme names! Convince me about backup!
Need names? Here they are!
Internet Explorer, (the most widely used web browsers) according to several reputed online computing communities, is one of the most vulnerable Internet browsers available! Several popular versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system has numerous holes that makes it possible for Trojans to access a system without the knowledge of the user. Kazaa, the popular file/mp3 sharing utility comes bundled with spyware, leaving the system prone to take over.
Do you hear yourself asking, what does all this mean? It simply means that, a system administrator needs keep himself updated about what is happening in the field of Internet security as it has a close relationship with data security. Agreed, it is impossible to keep oneself abreast of all the security related developments. So all you network/system administrators out there please backup all the important files on the system/network or be prepared for a total wash out, however cruel that might sound!
So, How should I backup?
Hmm... There you are, asking the right questions! Here are your options for a safe backup of files. Allot a system on the network exclusively for backup and make sure that the 'backup system' does not have access to the internet and vice versa. Before you start backup of files, install the best anti-virus software that you know on the system to be doubly sure. Also, ensure that your backup system is connected to a dependable uninterrupted power supply system.
Now, if you are not sure as to which files on the network are important, then circulate a note among the network users asking them to give list of files that need to be included in the backup list.
Remind yourself every day to backup all the important data on the network. Even if it sounds funny, make a to-do-list and add the item "backup files" right there on the top of the list! Since data can be a continuously changing variable, it is important to ensure that the files in the backup are updated to the hour! If you have done all this, then rest assured that the day is not far away when the CEO would give you a special performance incentive!


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