What is the best way to back up a computer's files? [closed]

"Use Crashplan for backing up. Why? Its free, and has been out for 2 years w/ many robustifying updates. Also

Encrypts/compresses the backup;
sends backup off-site;
You can set up a second computer (parents, sister's, distant relative) to do backup;
Did I mention it is free?
Restoration of files is simple."

"Please note. Many people get the terms incremental and differential confused when discussing backups. In my experience, differential is preferable to incremental.

They both rely on a ""full backup"" that can happen once or on a recurring schedule. Then they differ.

Incremental backups only copy the data that has changed since the last incremental backup. This means that if you need to restore from backup you'll need the full backup and all incremental backups up to the date you are attempting to recover.

Differential backups copy all data that has changed since the last full backup. This means that if you need to restore from backup you'll only need the full backup and the differential from the date you're trying to recover."

"For me the best one is Mozy. Recently I had a notebook stolen and recovered all the files easily.
It has 2GB Free and is just $5 per month for unlimited storage. It makes incremental backups too and is very fast."

"+1 for SyncBack.

I've been using it for many months now and I am very happy with it.

It has many customizable options giving you total control over what files and folders are backed up.

Once it is setup it just runs all by itself."

"Since you are using Windows (question tagged Windows Windows-Vista)

I use SyncBack,
features at: http://www.2brightsparks.com/syncback/compare.html

(answer previously supplied to question 25544)"