Are you using the 3-2-1 rule to protect your important photos and files?

We’ve probably all felt that moment of panic at some point and thought: Have I just lost all my photos and videos? Whether by accident or malfunction, the precious files on our devices can vanish in an instant. March 31 is World Backup Day, serving as a reminder to prepare for worst-case scenarios like hardware damage or theft by safeguarding your digital memories and documents. A good rule to follow is the 3-2-1 rule: keep three copies of your data, use two different types of storage, and ensure one copy is stored elsewhere, such as in the cloud.The easiest backup option for your mobile device is to set it and forget it with an automated cloud backup app, such as iCloud Backup for Apple devices, or Google One backup on Androids, or services like Dropbox. Another storage type to consider for saving important files is external hard drives, which require manual involvement but offer offline access and quick data transfer. They can also be more cost-efficient in the long run, with prices around $120 for two terabytes compared to monthly cloud storage fees that add up.Retailers are running different sales for World Backup Day on items like hard drives and cloud services. Here are a few of the top-reviewed hard drives:Stay Connected With the National Consumer UnitGet clear, actionable consumer reporting delivered across platforms.Follow National Consumer Correspondent Allie Jasinski for real-time updates, myth-busting videos and behind-the-scenes reporting on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.Have a question you’d like us to investigate? Email us at askallie@hearst.com