Automated daily backups shouldn't be a chore and will save you many headaches in the future. This is the simplest script I've been able to find.

Backup script:

Open up notepad then copy and paste the above code in a blank file to edit.

Replace:
DBHOST = Your database server (usually localhost, consult your host if you are unsure).
DBLOGIN = Username for your database.
DBPASSWORD = Password for database username.
DATABASE = The database you wish to backup.
/MY/BACKUP/LOCATION/ = Location you wish the backup to be saved (I recommend saving it below the root directory so it cannot be downloaded or edited by public users). Don't forget to CHMOD the directory to atleast 666 (writable).
BACKUPNAME = The name you wish to have the backup saved as in the directory listed.

After you've edited this to your liking save it to your PC and rename the file and remove the extention (you can name this anything but for this example I will be using mybackup).

Now upload the file to your site below the root directory (remember, no extention, so if after you upload it it shows with a .txt extension remove it). Change the permission of the file to allow it to be executed. CHMOD 755 will do the trick.

Now go to cPanel and go to the Cron Jobs area and create a cron job pointing to the file you uploaded.

Example:

Code:

Command to run: /MY/DIRECTORY/mybackup
Minutes: 15
Hours: 1 = 1 AM
Day(s) = Every Day
Month(s) = Every Month
Weekday(s) = Every Week Day

Replace /MY/DIRECTORY/ with the location you uploaded your "mybackup" script. If you are using cPanel and uploaded the file in your home directory then you would put: /home/YOURCPANELLOGIN/

This will create a daily backup of your database every day at 1:15AM server time. You can adjust your time accordingly, I just happen to know when the majority of my automated tasks run and when my site has the least amount of traffic so I try to schedule my backups so that it will not conflict with other tasks and to increase the chances of getting the most updated info before the increase of traffic.

The problem with this is that each day at 1:15AM it will right over the previous day's backup.


Keep in mind:
*This is only a LOCAL backup. If your server dies all is lost, be sure to download the backups to your PC to have both local and offsite backups!
*If your site is hacked or your database gets corrupt, disable your cronjob so that any current backup you have is not overwritten.
*Relying on a single backup is risky. It is best to have a daily backup, weekly backup, and monthly backup. If you have plenty of space (or a small database) then have as many local and offsite backups as possible to lessen the damages done if you need to restore.

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This would be really good for people with forums...right?

~Zodiac

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Yeah..it will help ppl with forums, ex: if a site gets ddos and all the files get deleted or something..

Yes this is good for backing up forums

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thx m8
will try it

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How would a DDoS attack delete files?

I think he means a server attack.

Can i put
in command to run in Cron Jobs?

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yap this is nice script and we all need but if its working

course it will work but do u mean yap mine will work?

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This looks pretty useful, so, thanks! I've lost countless databases -- not on forums -- simply by pressing "delete" by mistake, so I'll have to start bothering to back-up.