An internal hard drive is a primary storage device residing inside a computer system. It is one of the most common and dependable methods of storing critical data and running critical applications. Most of them come with pre-installed software applications, the OS, and other files in them. 

Internal hard drive storage probably reserves the most important place in consumers' devices by offering a reliable and low-cost solution to store a large amount of data, with good transfer rates, and quick access to any specific data. Without a good internal hard drive for PC, your computer will struggle to function at its best. Along with its good performance, it is also important to protect your data on a hard drive. However, hard drives can fail and data can be lost for a variety of reasons, which is why it's crucial to back up and protect your data.

In this blog post, we have outlined a variety of options for backing up and protecting data on an internal hard drive for those seeking to safeguard their data, each with its advantages and disadvantages.

Four Best Ways to Backup and protect your essential data

Failing to maintain backups is a common and costly mistake. A virus, hard drive failure, or even a basic system error can result in the loss of your files without the possibility of recovery. To help prevent such losses, this blog will provide an overview of the top four methods for effectively backing up your files and folders.

External Hard Drives

The traditional method of backing up internal hard drive data is through a USB flash drive or an external hard drive. This method is simple, efficient, and cost-effective. The benefit of using an external hard drive is its portability, allowing you to take your backup with you wherever you go. External hard drives come in a variety of sizes and capacities, so you can choose one that fits your needs. Once it is connected, you can use your system’s backup software to back up your data.

Some external hard drives are designed to be portable and draw power from the computer's USB port, while others are desktop drivers meant for stationary use. Additionally, there is a network-attached storage (NAS) drives that connect to your router or modem or can join via Wi-Fi, similar to having your own personal cloud.

Cloud Backup Services

Cloud backup services like iCloud, Google Drive, and Dropbox are other great options for backing up and protecting your internal hard drive data with end-to-end encryption. These services allow you to store your data on remote servers, so you can access your backed-up data from any internet-connected device, including computers, tablets, or smartphones, from anywhere around the world. Along with this, it offers an automatic backup facility, so your data is always up-to-date.

iCloud: iCloud usually offers 5 GB of free storage to its users. While on iCloud, Windows users can also sync their documents with iCloud Drive.

Google Drive: However, Google Drive offers 15 GB of free storage to its users. Google services are by default integrated with Android devices and have a desktop application for Windows and Mac users.

OneDrive: It offers 5 GB of free storage to its users to maintain their data digitally. Both Android and iOS users can have access to OneDrive through an app.

Dropbox: Dropbox contains 2 GB of free data for its users in their personal accounts. 

RAID Configuration

RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configuration is another way to back up and protect your internal hard drive data. RAID is a system that uses multiple hard drives to provide data redundancy.  There are several RAID configurations available, such as RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10. Each configuration has its own benefits.

RAID 0: RAID 0, also known as "striping," is a setup that uses a pair of disks to alternately write data. With both disks spinning simultaneously, data can be written at a faster rate than on a single disk. This RAID level is suitable for those who prioritize speed.

RAID 1: This is also known as "data mirroring," and it also writes all data to two disks simultaneously. This provides drive redundancy, ensuring that if one disk fails, the second is available to take over. This RAID provides data redundancy.

RAID 5: RAID 5 requires at least three drives. It uses block-level striping and distributed parity. This means that data is written in a way that allows for the recovery of all data in the event of a drive failure. RAID 5 offers a capacity of 8 TB like if you have 4TB drives in one unit. This RAID level is for those who prioritize capacity and data recovery.

RAID 10: RAID 10, also known as RAID 1+0, combines disk mirroring and disk stripping to protect your data. This level requires a minimum of four disks and stripes of data across mirrored pairs. Data can be retrieved as long as at least one disk in each mirrored pair is functioning.

Encryption

One of the best ways to protect your data is through encryption. It is the process of converting plaintext into ciphertext, which means it converts your data into an unreadable format, making it inaccessible to unauthorized users without the encryption key.

There are different encryption methods available, such as software-based and hardware-based encryption. Software-based encryption is easy to use and is generally installed in host computers to help encrypt and decrypt internal hard drive data. As a result, you can access the data using your encryption key, but hardware-based encryption is more secure because it protects your data using a separate processor, providing much greater capacity and speed. In this way, you can access the data using an encryption key and biometrics.

Final Words

Backing up and protecting your data on an internal hard drive is crucial. Four methods are mentioned above to help you create a successful data backup and disaster recovery plan. Each method has its own benefits, and the best method for you will depend on your needs and preferences.

It is recommended to have multiple backups, in different locations and use different methods, to ensure the safety of your data. Remember to regularly check and update your backups to ensure that your data is always up-to-date. By following these tips, you'll be able to keep your data on your internal hard drive safe and secure.