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If the data being backed up is at all important then I recommend having both an automated local backup and an automated backup to the “cloud”. The local backup is usually much faster when you need to restore files. The cloud backup protects you against a local disaster. It is important that they be automated because if they are not then I can assure you that you will have a disaster after you load your wedding photos to your PC and forget to immediately back them up.

For example, if your PC died would you care that you lost all your digital photos? If your house burns down would you care that you lost all your digital photos on your PC and on your local backup drive? If the answer is yes then you need local and remote backups.

I use CrashPlan.com for my remote backup. I like it because they offer an unlimited storage plan and they let you specify your own encryption key.

Another great article Fred.

I agree with Gumnut. Networking home Windows PCs is much harder than it should be. For example, my Aunt & Uncle have 3 systems running Windows 7 and Norton 360 and I have been unable to get them fully inter-connected. They are in southern Maine Fred. Maybe I can convince you to give them a visit.

Hey David, I use LastPass also and share your concerns. I do let LastPass generate unique long complex passwords for most web sites. What I do is copy those passwords into a password protected document on my local hard drive. I also use a long complex password for LastPass itself. That takes care of the worry about LastPass going out of business. On those rare occasions where LastPass does not autofill the password for me I still have to get the password from the LastPass vault or from my password protected document.

Whenever possible I use Discover Card Secure Online Account Numbers. You can generate a new number for each online vendor. If anyone except that vendor submits a charge against that number it will be rejected. http://www.discovercard.com/customer-service/security/create-soan.html