Desktop backup software
Reinforcements
© Lead Image © viesinsh, 123RF.com
Backup strategies in IT are essential and expensive in terms of planning and administration, but individuals have simpler solutions. We look at five backup solutions for the desktop.
Experts regularly warn about the potential for data loss, but many users, including some IT professionals, have never had a serious hard drive crash, partly because they often discard their computers before their hard drives give up the ghost. Never having experienced a catastrophic loss of files, many users simply store data sporadically on an external disk; however, this isn't a real backup strategy.
More sophisticated users might employ Rsync [1] and Cron [2] scripts with their corresponding overhead, but graphical backup software, which often utilizes these command-line tools under the hood, is often a more satisfactory backup solution on the desktop. Linux users have a number of options suitable for automatic and continuous operation that allow them to save and restore files easily. These applications might even be worth using at work so that employees without root privileges can back up their data on an external hard disk or USB flash drive, allowing them to work at home or on the road.
In this review, I look at Déjà Dup [3], Back in Time [4], Sbackup [5], luckyBackup [6], and Areca Backup [7].
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Linux Mint 22.3 Now Available with New Tools
Linux Mint 22.3 has been released with a pair of new tools for system admins and some pretty cool new features.
-
New Linux Malware Targets Cloud-Based Linux Installations
VoidLink, a new Linux malware, should be of real concern because of its stealth and customization.
-
Say Goodbye to Middle-Mouse Paste
Both Gnome and Firefox have proposed getting rid of a long-time favorite Linux feature.
-
Manjaro 26.0 Primary Desktop Environments Default to Wayland
If you want to stick with X.Org, you'll be limited to the desktop environments you can choose.
-
Mozilla Plans to AI-ify Firefox
With a new CEO in control, Mozilla is doubling down on a strategy of trust, all the while leaning into AI.
-
Gnome Says No to AI-Generated Extensions
If you're a developer wanting to create a new Gnome extension, you'd best set aside that AI code generator, because the extension team will have none of that.
-
Parrot OS Switches to KDE Plasma Desktop
Yet another distro is making the move to the KDE Plasma desktop.
-
TUXEDO Announces Gemini 17
TUXEDO Computers has released the fourth generation of its Gemini laptop with plenty of updates.
-
Two New Distros Adopt Enlightenment
MX Moksha and AV Linux 25 join ranks with Bodhi Linux and embrace the Enlightenment desktop.
-
Solus Linux 4.8 Removes Python 2
Solus Linux 4.8 has been released with the latest Linux kernel, updated desktops, and a key removal.