The most common false assumption that I hear is people who say that they don't need to back-up just because their computer or laptop is brand new. They simply believe that it won't fail just because it is new, but although new computers are statistically less likely to develop problems they are by no means infallible. Hard drives are unpredictable beasts and have the potential to fail at any time, with the data they contain within often not retrievable.

People also don't take into account how easy it is to damage laptops. A spilt drink or dropped bag can be enough to put a laptop out of commission. Although they can usually be repaired and most businesses are sensible enough to insure them you will still have to manage without it until it gets repaired, leaving you without access to the data within.

Flash memory sticks are the backup tool of choice for most people, favoured because their lack of internal moving parts makes them a lot more robust than traditional hard drives. However, the common belief that a flash device will last forever is a misconception. They have a limited lifespan and the data can only be overwritten so many times before it will eventually fail. Flash sticks are also easy to lose because of their size. They will not survive a trip to the washing machine!

Online backup is increasingly becoming the default choice for many small businesses. This involves the data being stored in the 'cloud' rather than just on your computer. Once it has been uploaded, you can access the data from any computer terminal. Expect to see online backup becoming standard practice over the next few years for any business who values their