• Backup your data regularly, preferably to a separate hard drive (either internal or external) and also to removable media. Store the removable media in a separate building. Consider a batch program, which will run incremental backups at the end of each day. Do not rely on the verification process as this may not identify logical corruption - the only safe way to ensure the integrity of your backups is to restore them.

• Ensure that you have adequate virus and spyware protection and that it is updated daily from the internet. Complete weekly scans and quarantine or remove any suspect files. Remember that any removable media that has come into contact with your machine has probably also been infected.

• Do NOT store your data in any Windows or Mac default directory (eg "My Documents, Program Files" etc). This is the first place a virus or worm will seek to infect or destroy. Rename directories logically and store them under the root directory.

• Partition your hard drive, storing your data, email databases, and program files on their own and separate to the operating system and application files. In the event of a failure the start-up and shutdown will not not affect your data. In the event of data loss, it also makes recovery much easier with greater chances of success.

• Export your address book and emails to removable storage regularly. Compress files to reduce size and delete unwanted emails. Ensure that your pst file remains below 2GB to avoid corruption.

• Avoid using tools or utilities that test your computer, verify system configurations, repair corruption etc. Maintain your data by removing unwanted files and applications, running disk cleanup/check disk and defragmenting (DO NOT allow check disk to run on boot up if you have experienced data loss).