Acronis World Backup Day Global Survey Shows 1 in 3 People Have Suffered Data Loss

With the growing number of PCs and mobile devices per household, new survey highlights people value data more than hardware with cloud backup the number one choice for UK consumers

London, UK - March 31, 2016 - A new global study supported by Acronis, a global leader in hybrid cloud data protection, reveals a growing understanding about the value of, and attitudes toward, the protection of personal data on computers, mobile phones and tablet devices. Nearly half of global respondents have more than four devices in a household to protect and 52 per cent of UK respondents fear losing photos and videos the most. Security and privacy were cited as key requirements for backing up data.

Emerging concerns for personal data protection

The traditional fears of hardware failure and accidental deletion are no longer the sole reasons people fear data loss. Cyber-threats like ransomware, a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system and its data until a sum of money is paid, is a growing threat to individuals and businesses. According to Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), a partnership between the FBI and the nonprofit National White Collar Crime Center, between April 2014 and June 2015, the IC3 received 992 CryptoWall-related (ransomware) complaints, with victims reporting losses totaling over $18 million. Backup is one effective recovery option for CryptoWall-related attacks.

The data protection survey, conducted by Acronis with Google Consumer Surveys, focused on understanding data protection behaviour and included respondents from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, Japan, and Australia. Key findings from more than 400 UK participants found:

• The most important data protection features were security (cited by 38 per cent of respondents), ease-of-use at 30 per cent, and privacy at 26 per cent
• 17 per cent have more than four devices (computers, laptops, smart phones) in their homes
• Currently, 35 per cent back up to external drives and 39 per cent back up to the cloud
• 62 per cent of consumers back up at night and 31 per cent backup while watching TV

A new category of "data protectors"

With the median household having at least four devices, an emerging trend of users called "family data protectors" is also gaining traction. The sheer growth of data captured in mobile pictures and videos, music files, and scanned family documents means the family data protector ensures the immediate and extended family is prepared for, and protected against, data loss.

"Data loss via hardware failure, file deletion, and ransomware are factors most people don't think about on a daily basis, but when they do occur the results are devastating," said John Zanni, CMO of Acronis. "Our survey results illustrate a growing general recognition of the value of data stored on family computers and devices, especially given the price people are willing to pay for their data. We hope that this new information, presented on World Backup Day, will encourage even more people to backup their data and protect their personal information."

Three simple steps to improving your data protection

For anyone, but especially for family data protectors, keeping digital memories and fiduciary documents safe, secure and private, is a responsibility that can be easy and inexpensive to exercise. Below are some tips to help:

1. Always have a backup of a family's critical data, documents, pictures and videos.
2. Keep your operating systems on the most up-to-date version. Those security patches and software updates are important
3. Be mindful of suspicious emails or clicking on links sent by unknown sources, it could be a phishing scheme or Ransomware.

Protecting personal data is quick and easy - with Acronis True Image, in three clicks and 10 minutes, memories can be safe forever.

To take advantage of World Backup Day special offers on Acronis True Image, visit our website here.