But rather than giving you a monetary value, the equation actually gives you the emotional value, or EV, of what's on your hard disk.

The formula for Microsoft's Digital Asset Adjuster, created by Dr Aric Sigman, an associate fellow of the British Psychological Society, compares the impact of data loss with losing tangible items such as a mobile phone or engagement ring.

You can work out the EV of the data stored on your PC with the following equation:

(P + HV + D) x (S + F) = EV

Or: (Photos + Home Videos + Documents) x (Songs + Films) = Emotional Value.

A rating of between six and 100 points is equivalent to losing an umbrella, while a score of between 401 and 500 is similar to losing a family heirloom, according to the scale.

"While we have come to terms with calculating the value of replacing a computer should it break or be stolen, home users haven't caught up with the need to put a value on our digital assets," Dr Sigman said.

Microsoft's Ian Moulster told Web User: "As photos, home videos and music move totally to the digital world, consumers need to ensure that they are taking the necessary steps to protect their digital content. These digital assets are more valuable than consumers realise and losing them is much more painful than people expect."

Moulster recommended that surfers should back their system up regularly and ensure their security products were up to date because data loss can often be caused by viruses or malicious attacks on a PC.

www.bps.org.uk
www.microsoft.com

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