How to Back Up Files With DropBox

DropBox is a free online storage and backup service that securely encrypts and safely stores your files remotely. You can use this as a supplemental way to back up your important files, as redundancy is key in every backup routine. It's not a replacement for an external hard drive or backing up to CD/DVD, but you can never be too safe and you can't backup in too many places. DropBox gives you 2GB of storage for free and offers more storage for a fee. The following instructions are Mac-centric, but the basics are the same for both Windows and Linux as well.

Things You'll Need

• Mac, Windows or Linux Computer
• DropBox program (free download)
• DropBox account (free)

Instructions

1. 

   Go to GetDropBox.com and download their DropBox software (see link in Resources below).

2. Install DropBox by double-clicking on the Dropbox.dmg file you downloaded, then dragging the DropBox icon to the Applications folder.

3. 

   Launch DropBox by double-clicking the icon in your Applications folder.

4. 

   Create your DropBox account in the DropBox setup window that comes up when you first launch the program. DropBox will place an icon on your Menu Bar to the left of the date and time.

5. 

   Click on the DropBox Menu Bar icon and select "Preferences" to change the location of your DropBox if you want, otherwise, DropBox created a folder called "DropBox" in your Documents.

6. Drag and drop all files you want DropBox to save. Files that have been modified or added will be backed up automatically to your DropBox online.

7. Access DropBox from anywhere in the world you have access to a web browser by going to GetDropBox.com and entering your login information. Or download DropBox on any other computer you own, link it to your account and you can have access to those files as well.

Tips & Warnings

• DropBox also syncs files, so when you change a document on one computer, it automatically updates on the other computers you have linked to your DropBox account.

• You can also share files and photos with the world or just your friends with DropBox.

Resources

• DropBox