Two-thirds don't back up files

UK consumers are more likely to check the oil and water in their car regularly than back up valuable data on their PCs, a survey has concluded.

Research from security firm Symantec found that only one-third of those questioned backed up important files on a regular basis and only 22 per cent backed up all their files.

This puts many people's valuable data including photographs, music and home videos at risk, the company said.

Con Mallon of Symantec asked: "People don’t take the risk with the contents of their houses – they insure their physical possessions. So why should it be any different for computer content?"

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The company also criticised using other hardware devices to back up their data, saying that the best option was to use online back-up services.