Online Backup Service: Commercial web-based backup services run continuously cost begins at $6/month.An automated method using software and an online service and/or an external drive will protect you from data loss. And we humans will fail to manually back up. Why back up? Your computer’s storage drive will fail at some point, probably just before your final project is due.Data backup: An external drive and/or a subscription to an online backup service.Some protection plans cover accidental damage others do not.