You should back up your important computer files so you have a second copy of them someplace other than on your computer. This is critical in case your computer ever has a serious problem, such as a virus infection, defective hard drive or corrupt operating system. Viruses and hard-drive failure can damage your files to an unrecoverable extent. It is recommended that you save important files in more than two locations. Here are some different options:

• Use your Stony Brook University file-storage options (MySBfiles or SharePoint My Site)
• Buy an external hard drive
• Burn files to a CD or DVD

USB flash drives (thumb drives, memory sticks, etc.) were intentionally left off of this bulleted list because they are easily lost and/or damaged and are not the best solution for data backup. Flash drives are better suited for transporting data.