Last week we talked about backing up your bookmarks and cookies automatically with Google Browser Sync. This week, let’s talk about backing up the files on your computer.

I’ve been asked more than once, "Shawn, what’s a quick and easy way to back up my computer?" My answer? Mozy.

Mozy offers 2 gigabytes of backup space for free.

Yes. For free.

Usually, the follow up question is, "but, can I do this myself?" Absolutely you can. Let’s do it.

First, click on this link to sign up for a free MozyHome account. After going through the usual sign-up username and password rigamarole you’ll be prompted to download and install the Mozy software.

If you’re not prompted to download, just go to https://mozy.com/login and sign in with the username and password you just created. Click Download Mozy (over on the left hand side), then Download for Win (if you’re using a Windows-based computer) or Download for Mac (if you’re using a Mac). Once your download finishes, double click the file you downloaded to install it.

Continue through the Mozy installer using the default options Mozy prompts you with.

At some point during the Mozy installation you’ll be prompted to test your internet connection to ensure it’s fast enough for Mozy to work. Do that test (it’s as simple as clicking a button, then Mozy will do its test, then tell you the results) before continuing. You’ll need to be using a broadband connection. Dial-up isn’t fast enough for Mozy to work.

Once you reach the setup complete window, click Finish. You’re done!

The beauty of Mozy is that it backs stuff up while you work or while your computer is idle. You don’t have to stop what you’re doing to let Mozy do its thing. It just works. Your first backup might take hours, days, even weeks (just depends on how much stuff you have). After that, it’s usually much faster.

If you want to ensure you get at least one good back up immediately, you’ll see an option at the end of the Mozy setup that will let you do an initial backup right now. I’d recommend doing this over night so your computer has plenty of time to back stuff up. You can always double click the orange and gray Mozy icon in the system tray and choose Start Backup to do a manual backup as well.

If you need more than the 2 gigabytes of space that come with MozyHome Free, there’s plenty more Mozy options for you. Find out about them by clicking here.

See, I told you you could do it.

Thanks to Johan Larsson for the image.