When disaster strikes, your backup strikes back
by Kate Hernandez | October 30, 2025 | Threat Lab
Reading Time: 4 mins
Disasters don’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it’s a spilled coffee on your laptop, an accidental “delete all,” or a ransomware attack that locks your family photos behind a digital ransom note.
Yet over 70% of users have lost data at least once, and most say they didn’t have a working backup in place when it happened.
A smart backup plan isn’t about being paranoid—it’s about being practical. When done right, it quietly protects you from accidents, device loss, and even malware that tries to encrypt everything you own. And with automatic tools like Webroot Total Protection, backups can run in the background while you get on with life.
Why backups matter—and how version history beats ransomware
When ransomware hits, it often encrypts your files and demands payment to unlock them. But versioned backups give you a time machine: you can simply restore a clean version of your files from before the attack.
Backups also protect against everyday slip-ups—like saving over a document or losing a phone. With version history, you can roll back to the last known good copy, no stress, no ransom.
Here’s a simple rule that can keep your backups safe.
The 3-2-1 Rule—plain and simple
Think of your files like favorite photos: you wouldn’t keep the only copy in one frame. The 3-2-1 rule keeps you covered:
- Three copies of your data—your main one and two backups.
- Two types of storage—like a cloud service and an external drive.
- One copy off-site—so a fire, flood, or ransomware attack can’t take everything out at once.
It’s simple, reliable, and easy to automate with today’s backup tools.
Choose the right tools for the job
Not all backups are equal. The best setup depends on how you use your devices.
- Cloud backup: Perfect for automatic protection with off-site safety. Options include Google Drive, iCloud, or Webroot’s built-in cloud backup.
- External drive: Affordable and great for large files. Choose one with enough capacity and connect it regularly.
- Network or NAS storage: Ideal for families or home offices that need shared access and automatic syncing.
Make sure to keep your backups up-to-date with an auto backup schedule.
Set a schedule
Automatic backups are your secret weapon. Set them to run daily or weekly when your device is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi.
- Laptops: Keep power settings on “plugged in = active” so backups don’t pause mid-run.
- Phones and tablets: Use Wi-Fi only backups to avoid data charges and battery drain.
- Work files: Back up before major software updates or travel.
Once you set it, forget it—your data stays protected automatically. You just need to test it occasionally.
Test a restore
Here’s the step most people skip—and regret later. Run a small restore test once a month.
- Select a file: choose different files from different folders each month.
- Delete the file: you can make a copy and rename it if you want to be extra safe.
- Restore the file from your backup: restore it to a new location on your computer.
- Test it: Open the restored file in its new location and make sure it looks as you expect.
If it works smoothly, you know you’re protected. If it doesn’t, fix the issue before disaster strikes.
And it’s not just your computer files you need to ensure are backed up.
Mobile photos and videos
Your phone is your camera, diary, and connection hub. Don’t risk losing it all if it’s lost or stolen.
Turn on automatic photo uploads:
- Android: Set up Google Photos backup
- iPhone: Enable iCloud Photos backup
To save space, use storage optimization so only recent photos stay on the device while full versions live safely in the cloud.
Secure your backup
Backups are valuable, so treat them like any other sensitive data and make sure to follow best practices to secure them.
- Encrypt drives and folders so only you can read them.
- Store recovery keys in a password manager or printed copy in a safe spot.
- Label drives and cables clearly to avoid confusion or accidental overwrites.
These extra steps ensure that even if someone finds your drive, they can’t access what’s inside, and if a problem occurs you are ready.
What to do if ransomware hits
No matter how diligent you are about your backups and online safety it’s still possible you could experience a ransomware or malware attack. Here steps to take when the worst happens:
- Disconnect immediately. Unplug drives and turn off Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to stop the spread.
- Assess and scan. Use trusted antivirus or Webroot Total Protection to remove the malware.
- Recover clean versions. Restore files from your most recent uninfected backup—cloud first, then local.
- Change passwords and enable MFA. If an attacker gained access, they may try again.
Remember: paying a ransom doesn’t guarantee your data back—but good backups always do.
Make backups effortless with Webroot Total Protection
Webroot Total Protection makes it easy to back up, encrypt, and recover your files across all your devices. Automatic scheduling, versioned recovery, and integrated malware protection mean you can stop worrying about “what ifs” and get back to what matters.
Set up your backup today and test a small restore. Your future self will thank you.
Check out the Cybersecurity Resource Hub for more ways to protect you and your family online.
