How do you back up a computer?

A computer backup is a second copy of your data that you store separately from the original. That includes family photos and videos, documents, emails, contacts, apps and even the operating system that powers your computer. If the originals are located on your laptop or a mobile device, you keep the backup somewhere else that’s safe — that way, you can use the second copy to restore your files or system if something happens to the original. To ensure all of this data is accurately copied so you can use it to recover your computer, backup software is a must. A solution like Acronis True Image automatically captures changes to everything, including hidden files that can be missed by manually copying files, and makes the process of recovery easy and efficient.

How do you back up a computer to an external hard drive?

With Acronis True Image (formerly Cyber Protect Home Office), creating a full image backup on an external hard drive is as easy as two clicks. Once the drive is connected and Acronis True Image (formerly Cyber Protect Home Office) is running, click Add backup . The entire computer is the default backup source, so you simply need to assign the external drive as the backup destination and then click Back up now .

What does it mean to back up a computer to the cloud?

Computer backups need to be stored someplace safe. Acronis recommends the 3-2-1 backup rule, which includes storing three copies of your data on at least two different types of media (such as external hard drives, network drives, and NAS devices) and keeping one copy off-site. That way, if a fire or flood damages both your original files and the local backup, the off-site copy is available to use for recovery. "The cloud" is a term that describes a remote network of computers and servers that you access via the internet. The cloud is a convenient way to store your files off-site, where they are safe from local damage. Subscriptions to the Advanced and Premium editions of Acronis True Image (formerly Cyber Protect Home Office) include cloud storage, as well as cloud-based features and "anywhere access" to your data. With Acronis True Image, you also have the ability to automatically replicate local backups in the Acronis Cloud, so you always have an off-site copy of your data available without having to manage a separate backup plan. By choosing this option, after the first successful backup, your backup and replication will be done simultaneously.

What is Acronis anti-malware protection?

Acronis' advanced anti-malware gives you peace of mind by delivering outstanding multilayered threat protection. It uses a set of integrated technologies that address specific attack vectors: Superb protection against known and unknown malware, including ransomware, cryptojackers, and fileless attacks. Behavioral analysis and dynamic detection rules that combat any emerging threats. On-demand antivirus scan that checks all files on your computer for any kind of malware: Trojans, viruses, backdoors, worms, keyloggers, spyware and others. Acronis continuously safeguards your device and backups from the latest cyberthreats.

Do I need Acronis anti-malware protection if I already have specialized antivirus, anti-malware, firewall, or other security software?

Yes. Acronis anti-malware uses a set of integrated technologies that deliver data protection capabilities many third-party antiviruses don't. It keeps your backup safe. A dedicated module of Acronis anti-malware protection guards your backup files and the backup agent, preventing deletion or alteration by malware. It restores ransomware-affected files automatically. The majority of other security software only prevents the attack, without automatically recovering the ciphered data.

Is Acronis' anti-malware protection compatible with other anti-malware solutions?

We are aware that you may have specialized antivirus, web filtering, or other security software installed on your device. Although we recommend uninstalling the third-party software and fully relying on Acronis' anti-malware solution, you can still keep it active. Acronis' anti-malware protection is compatible with most common anti-malware solutions. They do not conflict with each other for resources and do not create extra overhead on the system. However, our real-time protection switches on only if there is no third-party real-time protection solution running on your device. If third-party software is detected, you'll receive a message on your protection dashboard notifying you that another piece of software is protecting you from malicious files. Note: If you continue using an existing third-party solution for device protection rather than Acronis' anti-malware, we cannot guarantee the reliability of that third-party protection.

Full Comparison of Acronis vs Time Machine for Personal Use

Name: True Image
Price: 34.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.4 (62 reviews)

Macs: Powerful devices that need powerful backup and comprehensive protection

The Mac is an incredibly powerful device, providing the perfect workstation to "Think Different." Apple promises to protect your apps, music, photos and documents with Time Machine. While Time Machine is an easy-to-use backup and recovery solution, that is cleanly integrated with your Mac, it has limitations. It provides basic backup capabilities but lacks the flexibility and comprehensive backup and security options necessary to protect your entire digital life.

Acronis True Image Introduces Identity Protection

1:39

Award-winning cyber protection solution

Over 5.5 million users rely on Acronis True Image every day

OPSWAT Anti-malware Platinum certification

100% Detection Rate, 0 False Alarms in Independent Test

All Awards

Three ways in which Acronis True Image outperforms Time Machine

1. Protect all your devices with one account: Macs, PCs and mobile phones

In the digital age, our lives are increasingly intertwined with a variety of digital devices, and it's common for a family to own different types. All these different devices need comprehensive, unified protection. You capture precious moments in pictures and videos, download your favorite music and movies, create important work files for projects, and customize applications to suit your needs. All these digital assets hold significant value and deserve robust protection to ensure their security and longevity.

Acronis True Image offers cross-platform compatibility, providing comprehensive backup solutions for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS users. It enables users to back up data from multiple operating systems and even manage these backups remotely from a single web-based interface.

This flexibility is complemented by the Acronis Cloud, which offers secure, unified and off-site storage, ensuring that backups are not only accessible from any device with internet access, but also safe from local hardware failures.

On the other hand, while Time Machine provides a seamless and user-friendly backup experience within the Apple ecosystem, it lacks the multi-OS support and cloud integration capabilities that make Acronis True Image a more comprehensive solution for users with diverse backup and cyber protection needs.

System failures and crashes

In the events of ransomware attack, hardware failure or sudden system crash, image backups enable you to restore the entire system, including the operating system, applications, and settings, ensuring a swift recovery to a functional state.
Hardware upgrades or replacements

If you just are planning to upgrade or replace your hardware components, Acronis’ Disk Cloning tool simplifies the migration process. You can restore the system image to the new hardware, ensuring a seamless transition with no downtime.
Operating system corruption

In case your operating system becomes corrupted, or device is rendered unbootable Acronis’ Survival Kit comes to rescue. You can boot your device and restore the entire system to a clean and stable state in one go.

2. How can you safeguard your most valuable data based on your needs?

Every machine is unique, and every user has their own preferences. Acronis gives you backup options to ensure personalized data protection.

With Acronis, you can back up your entire machine; it is even capable of backing up boot files. This means you can recover your files and applications even if your machine does not boot.
Not every backup needs to contain the image of your entire machine. You may also choose to selectively back up disks, files or folders. If you are a Microsoft 365 user, you can back up your Microsoft data using Acronis' Online Dashboard.
You may extend data protection to your mobile phones by backing up an unlimited number of devices.
Choose to backup to Acronis Cloud or to your personal detachable and NAS devices.
Schedule your backups and let Acronis automatically update your precious data daily, weekly, monthly or yearly.
The security of your backups can be enhanced with military grade encryption.

3. Integrated cyber protection

Backup and recovery offer crucial reactive protection against modern-day threats. However, as essential as they are, relying solely on these measures does not guarantee comprehensive protection. To fortify your defense strategy, proactive measures, such as robust antivirus and anti-ransomware must be in place. The classical approach of employing a combination of standalone protection tools for backup, anti-malware, patch management, configuration management and others is both complex and inefficient. Acronis offers a well-rounded approach that integrates reactive and proactive elements in a single interface.

Anti-ransomware and cryptojacking protection

Safeguard your files, apps, and systems by detecting and stopping ransomware before they affect. Automatically restore any affected files from backups.
Real-time protection

Keep your device and backup files safe from malicious activities in real time with AI-enhanced protection. Block even never-seen-before threats by checking every file you access or interact with.
Web filtering

Stay protected from potentially harmful websites and untrusted web resources that often distribute malware and use the so called "drive-by download" method of infection.
Videoconference app protection

Protect your web conferencing sessions on Zoom, Cisco Webex Meetings and Microsoft Teams from code injections and other suspicious operations by attackers.
Identity Protection **

Safeguard personal information such as social security numbers, financial details and much more, to prevent identity theft.
Antivirus scan

Ensure threats aren’t lurking on your computer by scanning for malware whenever required.
Vulnerability assessment

Ensure all your installed applications are up to date and have no vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers.

Acronis True Image vs Time Machine

Acronis True Image

Carbonite Personal

Backblaze Personal

Time Machine

iDrive Personal

Google One

Type of software	Complete cyber protection	Local backup
Protects	1, 3 or 5 PCs/Macs and an unlimited number of mobile devices	1 Mac
Supported operating systems	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS	macOS
Data protection: backup, cloning and recovery
File and folder backup
Image backup
Disk cloning
Cloud sync and share *
True continuous backup		Limited
Backup scheduling
Backup versioning		Limited
All-in-one recovery drive (Acronis Survival Kit)
Recover to similar or dissimilar hardware *
Cloud storage
Microsoft 365 backup, including Outlook.com and OneDrive
Mobile backups
Privacy features
Anti-ransomware and cryptojacking * protection
Vulnerability assessments
Videoconference app protection *
Real-time anti-malware protection
Antivirus scans
Web filtering *
Backups encrypted with user-defined passwords
Identity Protection **
Easy management
User-friendly cyber protection dashboard		Basic
Control backup-on-battery		Only for macOS
Back up on preferred Wi-Fi

* Windows only.
** Only available in the U.S. for Advanced and Premium subscriptions.

Choose the Acronis True Image plan that meets your needs

Formerly Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office

What our users say

Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office made cloning my old hard drive and moving to a new SSD a breeze. The cloning process was quick and simple, and I did not have to spend much time learning how to do it.

John A.

Verified user
I was always weary of backup software. It is bulky and complicated, and looks like it is designed for an astronaut. With Acronis, I finally found a tool to protect my data that I knew how to use from the first clicks.

Jessica C.

Verified user
Nothing is scarier than watching your documents turning into rubbish. I am so glad it takes one click to bring it back with Acronis.

Jeff C.

Verified user

Case study

Acronis True Image has saved my career on numerous occasions

“I was hit by a ransomware attack and a gentleman told me on the phone that I should pay a certain amount of money to get my data back. But in the back of my head, I knew that I had the ace card as I had Acronis True Image.”

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Full comparison of Acronis vs Time Machine for personal use

Macs: Powerful devices that need powerful backup and comprehensive protection

Award-winning cyber protection solution

Acronis True Image vs Time Machine

Choose the Acronis True Image plan that meets your needs

What our users say