So, you've made the decision switch to web backup.  You've elected to leave the dark ages of burning CD/DVDs and external hard drive backups behind and keep your data safe using one of the many online backup services now available to home and small business users.

You've made the right choice.  Web backup is definitely the way to go and is one of the best ways to keep your data safe.  Unlike the pile of CD/DVDs (which you probably forgot to write the contents on the front of) or the external hard drive (which you can probably hear whirring away next to you now) the web backup is kept in a secure, remote location far, far away from the original files which is a must if you want to back up your data properly.

Having made the choice to switch to this relatively new technology you are now faced with the challenge of finding a decent application that is up to the job.  Here are a few tips on selecting an application.

• Security - web backup products encrypt your data on your own computer BEFORE it is sent to the online backup servers for storage.  This is important.  The most commonly asked question about web backup is whether it is secure.  Encrypting your data at source means that the company that stores your data cannot access it even if they wished to unless they have your password.  They should also transmit your data securely to their servers.  This information should be easy to find on the product website so it is worth checking before you trust them with your data.
• Operating System Support - whether you are using a PC or Mac OS X then you will find that there is a product for you.  Some (in fact most) providers now support both operating systems which may come in handy if you are thinking about switching in the near future.
• Fire and Forget - you want a piece of software that you don't need to touch after you have set it up.  Remembering to do a backup is the main reason that most people don't have any!  The best products install in just a few steps, you then select the files and folders you want to keep in the backup and then just let the software do it's thing.  The web backup application will keep an eye on the files and when something changes it will update your online backup quietly in the background.  You don't have to remember to do anything!
• Getting Your Files Back - you never know how good the solution is until you need to call upon it.  If the worst happens then how do you get hold of your data.  Most web backup software providers now provide a web interface for getting individual files and you simply re-install their software and enter your user information to retrieve the whole backup if needed.  Some even offer to send you the data on DVD or USB drive - check if this is available and at what cost.
• External Hard Drives - if you keep photos or other files on your external hard drive then check to see if the software can include them in the backup.  Some software can but others can't.  It is worth checking.
  
• Storage Space and Payment Options - most web backup software companies are now offering unlimited data backup for home users for a small annual cost.  It may be able to get monthly payment options for the price of a couple of bottles of milk so check if you are interested in spreading the cost.

The best way to find out which one is right for you is to try them out.  The Web Backup Guide provides more detailed information and links to free trials for the major web backup software suppliers.