Please read this (backups, story about ransomware)

And of course the backup is only good if it too is not infected.

People should be using a good virus software, set security and privacy high. Be aware of what you are downloading, and what may be included in the download. Most people just click away and execute. Delete tracking cookies and history and temp files after browsing sessions. Look at what is installed on your machine on a regular basis.

A good clean backup should be kept "off machine" on at least a removable HDD. A lot of backups I come across in recovery are not clean from malware.

Photos and videos are sometimes a complete loss. Make a backup of your backup while you're at it!

Or at the very least use a backup program that allows for a "verification" after the backup is completed.

An article by a tech savvy writer in Wired Magazine told of how he had backed everything up to cloud storage, only to have his account hacked and everything deleted. Using cloud backup is convenient, but I also backup everything to blank DVD media and store copies at two locations.

As we've seen with all of the hacking going on in recent years absolutely nothing is safe in cyber space, anything can be hacked. Portable and external hard drives are reasonably priced and the way I go when backing my important stuff. Plug them in transfer what you need to keep unplug and store it in a drawer. I actually have two back ups of all my important documents, music and photo's.

along with knowing what you're doing will go along way. Unfortunately many do not take the time to learn more about computer or phone security and download files without even knowing what the file is.

Thanks for the reminder. I will backup my pictures this weekend!

Paragon Hard Disk Manager for back up(image) and Spyhunter for malware, Trojans, root-kits, etc. and Microsoft Security Essentials for virus. Spyhunter will remove anything that gets passed MS Security Essentials.
Works very well for me.

Sony got hit:
http://hothardware.com/news/sony-comes-to-a-screeching-halt-...

I have maintained redundant backups on separate external HDDs for years. I recently added cloud backup for extra off-site security in case the whole house burns down and takes everything with it.

In addition to photos, we use our PCs for a lot of personal business files. It would be a disaster if we lost those.