# Backup software > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Backup_software > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Backup_software.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backup_software > Source revision: 1329354643 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Software for backup Wikiversity has learning resources about ***[Backup software](https://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Special:Search/Backup_software)*** **Backup software** is [software](/source/Software) for creating a copy of computer [data](/source/Data) such as [files](/source/Computer_file) and [databases](/source/Database), called a [backup](/source/Backup), with the intention to recover from [data loss](/source/Data_loss). It may support extracting data from a backup and even restoring it to its original location.[1] ## Key features There are several features of backup software that make it more effective in backing up data. ### Volumes Voluming allows the ability to compress and split backup data into separate parts for storage on smaller, [removable media](/source/Removable_media) such as [CDs](/source/CD). It was often used because CDs were easy to transport off-site and inexpensive compared to [hard drives](/source/Hard_drives) or [servers](/source/Server_(computing)). However, the recent increase in hard drive capacity and decrease in drive cost has made voluming a far less popular solution. The introduction of small, portable, durable USB drives, and the increase in [broadband](/source/Broadband) capacity has provided easier and more secure methods of transporting backup data off-site.[2] ### Data compression Main articles: [Data compression](/source/Data_compression) and [Data deduplication](/source/Data_deduplication) Since [hard drive](/source/Hard_drive) space has cost, [compressing](/source/Data_compression) the data will reduce the size allowing for less drive space to be used to save money. ### Access to open files Main article: [File locking](/source/File_locking) Many backup solutions offer a plug-in for access to exclusive, in use, and locked files. ### Differential and incremental backups Main article: [Backup rotation scheme](/source/Backup_rotation_scheme) Backup solutions generally support [differential backups](/source/Differential_backup) and [incremental backups](/source/Incremental_backup) in addition to full backups, so only material that is newer or changed compared to the backed up data is actually backed up. The effect of these is to increase significantly the speed of the backup process over slow networks while decreasing space requirements. ### Schedules Main article: [Job scheduler](/source/Job_scheduler) Backup schedules are usually supported to reduce maintenance of the backup tool and increase the reliability of the backups. ### Encryption Main article: [Encryption](/source/Encryption) To prevent [data theft](/source/Data_theft), some backup software offers cryptography features to protect the backup. ### Transaction mechanism Main article: [Database management system ยง Transaction mechanism](/source/Database_management_system#Transaction_mechanism) To prevent loss of previously backed up data during a backup, some backup software (e.g., [Areca Backup](/source/Areca_Backup), [Argentum Backup](/source/Argentum_Backup)) offer [Transaction mechanism](/source/Database_management_system#Transaction_mechanism) (with commit/rollback management) for all critical processes (such as backups or merges) to guarantee the backups' integrity. ## See also - [Backup](/source/Backup) - [Cloud storage](/source/Cloud_storage) - [List of backup software](/source/List_of_backup_software) - [Comparison of backup software](/source/Comparison_of_backup_software) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Data Backup software- Definition and specification"](http://www.colormango.com/utilities/data-backup/). *colormango.com*. Retrieved 23 February 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Replicate and backup data from one PC to one or many remote computers and from many computers to a single server"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170103002830/http://www.enduradata.com/zblog/cross-platform-replication-file-transfer/2010/08/09/data-replication-software-company-now-releases-v3-1-of-its-cross-platform-data-replication-pc-off-site-and-on-line-remote-backup-software/). *Enduradata*. Archived from [the original](http://www.enduradata.com/zblog/cross-platform-replication-file-transfer/2010/08/09/data-replication-software-company-now-releases-v3-1-of-its-cross-platform-data-replication-pc-off-site-and-on-line-remote-backup-software/) on 3 January 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2017. 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