I don't want my info in "the cloud", so I use an external hard drive.
I have a Seagate FreeAgent.

I'm with LuAnn. My Seagate FreeAgent takes care of my backups...and no one can ever access my "stuff". The purchase was a one-time expenditure (great sale at Staples), with no monthly or yearly costs.

SO easy to use an external hard drive.

I don't even use any software...

I just take the files/folders I really want - My PIctures, Documents, etc... and copy/paste them onto the external drive. so simple. Just a couple clicks.

Then unplug that drive and put it in a different spot from your computer. If you are concerned about fire, etc - put it in the bank box.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/maintenance/tp/online_backup_services.htm

or for free
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/software-tools/tp/free-online-backup.htm

I do use cloud to back up and sync my apple devices, car etc.
I use an external hard drive for my pc's but often forget to back up (its not connected daily). That's the pitfall for me. I like having all my contacts, music, where I can find it from anywhere. We keep all our farm, taxes and all that stuff separate from my (not to) private info.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/maintenance/tp/online_backup_services.htm

this will work better than the first one. (first link was wrong)

Here is a link that might be useful: online back up services

I don't use an online backup service as I too don't particularly want my stuff in the cloud. I have an external hard drive set up for automatic back up. However if my house burns down or gets destroyed in a tornado I would like my stuff in the cloud.

I'm starting to think about switching since I started using an online backup service for my computer at work. We use Carbonite which is also available for home computer users. I figure this is a decent solution since I work for a software/technology company. We have a lot of people with the expertise to make the right decision on stuff like this.

i was hoping for an online service simple enough that all i have to do is click "back up everything" instead of highlighting every individual thing....which would take me forever. gibby, how easy is carbonite to use? thanks for all your help, everyone!!! :)

I use EaseUS Todo backup which you can get free or for a charge of $30. I paid for the homebackup and workstation backup when they had a huge 40% off sale (they run sales often). I've been using it for almost a year with absolutely no issues. I also have a few external drives. I back up to multiple places since my laptop is used for my business and this way I can access everything from it to my desktop should anything happen to my laptop or use the backup on EaseUS. I learned the hard way to back up weekly using various backup methods.

Here's a CNET link to the free version. http://download.cnet.com/EaseUS-Todo-Backup-Free/3000-2242_4-10964460.html. Paid is below, though you will probably find the free one there also.

Here is a link that might be useful: EaseUS backup

I thought Carbonite was easy but I'm in the technology business. I think I just had to select the folders I wanted backed up and do a few configuration settings related to how often to back up and time of day. It takes a while to back everything up the first time but after that it only backs up things that change. If you somehow end up with new folders it alerts you and asks you if you want to back those up. It's a no brainer after that - just runs every day. It shows little colored dots on the file names - green and yellow I think - so you can tell what hasn't yet been backed up.

With EaseUS Todo backup, if I do have a failure of the first drive,
how do I recover my OS and data from the back up drive?
I'm using the 'disk and partition' backup option to backup
to a second internal drive on my computer.

Pooh Bear

My DD and DSIL had years of photos backed up on external hard drive. Then, during a move, it got damaged. They paid $1000 to try recovery, but it didn't work. They lost wedding photos and the 1st 16 months of their oldest child's life. Maybe cloud storage is better?

I use an external hard drive and Carbonite.

I don't want my personal information all over the internet. I don't use a smart phone or a digital camera. If I want photos, I own a regular old point-and-shoot Canon camera that uses regular film I have to get developed.I no longer do on-line banking. I don't order anything off Ebay or any of those sites. Yes I might as well be living in the 19th century. Heck, I remember when our phone was a party-line and our refrigerator was just an insulated box and we had a large cake of ice delivered on Saturday. .

This post was edited by jannie on Tue, Jun 18, 13 at 8:39

LOL!
You have the Amish pegged wrong....

the benefit to a program like the EaseUs backup is that you do an image back up which is the best type of back up, it backs up not just your files but the entire operating system, your settings, your drivers, absolutely everything exactly as it is when you do the back up, it is essentially a snapshot of exactly how the computer sits at that moment. Then from it you can go back and select individual files or if you have a failure you can install your entire system on a new hard drive and be up and running in minutes exactly as you were. There are several free imaging software available.

If you decide to go with carbonite which does store it away from your home, go to the kim komando site and look for it there you will get a discount buying it through her.

here are some links that list the best of the free image software
Best free backup software: 11 programs we recommend
Free Imaging, Backup and Recovery Software for Windows
The best free disk imaging program: a comparative analysis (updated)
some ratings tests were performed

As to online storage you can get up to 50 GB free storage a ADrive, I have used them for years. It is one more good place to store some of your files off site.
Personal Basic (FREE 50GB)
you want the Persona Basic Free 50 GB option

Personally,my opinion only, the image method is the way to go for backup with the least time, effort, problems at recovery.

here is some info I found on Kim Komando's site about carbonite,(I personally know nothing about it and have never used it, just wanted to pass along this offer)

" I'm glad you asked. When you sign up with my advertiser Carbonite, you download a small program. It finds the important data on your computer, copies it, encrypts it and securely sends it to Carbonite's servers around the country. The encryption keeps your data safe from hackers - learn all the details here - and sending it to remote servers keeps it safe from local disasters. Not only that, whenever your files change or you create new ones, they're backed up automatically! Like I've said, it's easy and secure. Sign up today for a risk-free, 15-day trial - trust me; you'll love it. Be sure to enter promo code Kim when you decide to buy to receive 2 extra months of service free!"
Special offer for Kim Komando fans:Try Carbonite FREE, then get 2 BONUS MONTHS with any paid subscription.
How safe is Carbonite?