46% Of All PC Users Never Back Up Their PCs

The Toyota Way

As more information is stored digitally, our computers have become the lockbox for our memories, diary entries and financial records. But nearly half of us don’t back up our data, according to a recent survey.

Forty-six percent of respondents never make backup copies of their data to external devices or media, although 55 percent consider that data worth more than $1,000.

More than one-third of those who don’t back up their data find the process too technical, while 29 percent don’t find it important enough to think about.

Those who do back up their data overwhelming prefer to store the information on CDs or DVDs, while nearly one quarter use thumb drives or USB keys.

But Jon Van Bronkhurst, Maxtor’s senior director of product marketing, warns that these methods are not password protected. “The CD or DVD is a great distribution mechanism, but not a great security system,” he said.

Bronkhurst emphasized that computer users should have backup systems both on and offsite to protect data from catastrophic events.

The poll was sponsored by Maxtor Corp. and surveyed 2,604 U.S. adult computer users.

Associated Press