Home & family
Backing up family photos and important files
A simple 3-2-1 backup plan for Forsyth County families so ransomware, theft, or a dead laptop does not erase irreplaceable photos.
Updated 2026-07-20 · 5 min read · CyberForsyth
Backups beat regret
FCPL recommends backing up important files. Ransomware, spilled coffee, and lost phones make that advice concrete for every Forsyth household.
The easy 3-2-1 idea
- 3 copies of important data
- 2 different media types (for example, computer + external drive)
- 1 copy offsite (cloud)
Practical home setup
- Turn on iCloud Photos or Google Photos for phones
- Use OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox for documents — with MFA
- Add an external drive for a weekly Time Machine / File History backup
- Test restoring one file every few months
What to prioritize
Tax PDFs, IDs, insurance papers, kid photos, and small-business records. Streaming downloads can be replaced; baby photos cannot.
Ransomware note
If malware encrypts your PC, offline or versioned backups are how you recover without paying. Keep at least one backup that is not always plugged in.
Need hands-on help?
We can set up backups that actually run. Contact CyberForsyth.
Sources
Public resources referenced in this guide. We are not affiliated with these organizations unless stated elsewhere.