March 31 is World Backup Day, a reminder that the alternative to backing up your data is far too grim. I once lost 80 pages of my novel due to a faulty hard drive with no backups, missing out on a potential beachside sip of a Mai Tai with Stephen King. Now, I back up at least three times across multiple locations without lifting a finger.

If the perfect backup existed, it might seem overkill, but there is no such thing as a flawless system. Backups fail too; they just happen less often. So, why not hedge your bets? For most people, two backups—one local and one remote—set to make automatic copies should suffice.

To start with your PC drive, monitor its health regularly. Tools like CrystalDiskInfo for Windows or GSmartControl for Linux can help predict potential issues. While SMART technology is reliable, it’s not foolproof. Back up on an external hard drive daily; the WD Elements is our top pick. Even brand-name drives fail sometimes, but good customer service might be worth sticking with them.

A larger backup drive ensures you have enough space for incremental backups. With software like Time Machine for Mac, setting up your system should be a one-time task. But remember, even the best systems can and do fail. Back up, back up, and back up again—it’s the only way to truly avoid data loss.