If you use an external hard drive to back up your files on a regular basis – give yourself a big pat on the back!

With luck you'll never have to use it.

Or, it'll save your precious data in the event of a internal hard drive failure.

Seriously, I wish I had a buck for each person who wrote to ask for a replacement of their Super Affiliate Handbook because their computer had crashed – the numbers are that big.

But did you know that external hard drives fail just as often as the hard drives built into your computer? Or, that in the event of a power surge, the external hard drive will suffer the same fate as the computer hard drive?

And the scenario gets worse…

Have you thought about how you'd recover your data if your computer was stolen – or, goodness forbid – your residence was subject to a natural disaster such as a fire, flood, tornado or earthquake?

Think it can't happen to you?

Take a look at that picture at the top right-hand side of this post — I took that picture here in town. Fires can and DO happen.

Losing your most valuable files is a very real possibility. According to statistics:

• Every year, 43% of computer users lose irreplaceable photos, emails, documents and financial records.
• Up to 13% of hard drives fail each year, causing more data loss than viruses.
• Only 3% of stolen laptops are ever recovered

So much of what we store on our computers is completely irreplaceable.

Are you willing to lose all your precious family photos and videos? Your emails and music collection? What about those years and years of financial data?

Let's not forget all that nifty software you bought to run your online business. Of course, software is replaceable. But think about how much money you've spent on editors, themes, ghostwritten articles and the like. Do you really want to shell all that out again?

Using an online backup service is much less expensive and far more convenient than the alternative.

Carbonite Online Backup is the most popular of the online backup services available. It's a simple, secure and easy-to-use service that automatically backs up the irreplaceable contents of your computer to a safe, offsite location.

1. How does Carbonite Work?

   Carbonite installs a small application on your computer that works quietly in the background looking for new and changed files that need to be backed up. It looks and feels just like part of your computer, and is integrated with your desktop so there's no new interface for you to learn.

2. Easy and Automatic Backup

   When your computer is idle, Carbonite automatically backs up your new and changed files. You don't have to do anything! When you're using your computer, Carbonite goes to sleep so it will never slow you down or interfere with your internet connection.

3. Privacy and Security

   Carbonite double encrypts your files, just like banks, so you can be sure your files are safe and only you can see your files- guaranteed. We even give you the option of keeping your own encryption key.

4. Fast Simple Recovery

   With Carbonite, file recovery is quick and hassle-free. If you accidentally delete or otherwise lose files, it takes just a few clicks on your desktop to get them back. If your computer is damaged, stolen or “just dies” and you lose all your files, just visit Carbonite's website from a new computer. Within minutes you'll be able to begin restoring all your files.

Check out the Risk-free trial: Try Carbonite FREE for 15 days. No credit card required.