A survey in the States has revealed some shocking results demonstrating that Americans have a tendency to not bother backing up their data.
The survey was conducted by Wakefield Research and found that 51% of Americans have experienced a computer crash leading to them loosing all of their digital files.
More than one-third admitted they had never backed up their computers or haven’t done so in the last twelve months.
A staggering 40% of Americans admitted that they would have no way of recovering, recreating or repurchasing such data.
“It is interesting to contrast the way people insure their treasured possessions, like their home and their car, with the ways in which they leave often-irreplaceable digital assets unprotected. Most have experienced at least one major disaster, yet are still not taking simple steps to protect the contents of their computer” David Friend, CEO of Carbonite.
The most common files to be stored by Americans are photos and music. Fifty- five percent of those surveyed stored photos and 46% stored music.
Eighty-two percent of people keep only electronic files on their personal hard drive with the majority of these keeping files nowhere else.
Putting a value on digital data is often difficult but the survey made some interesting comparisons. For instance 50% of Americans would rather loose an entire year of vacation time than loose all of the files on their computer. Thirty-four percent would rather give up wine and beer for a year. Thirty-eight percent would rather loose their wedding ring. Sixty-two percent would pay as much as $500 to retrieve their documents and files while 27% said that they would pay whatever it took.
