Keeping up to date is especially important for complex software that modifies the operating system, such as device drivers. Otherwise you have to check yourself on a regular basis. Some third-party applications from other sources have a similar feature, if you don’t mind letting them phone home. In the App Store or Software Update preference pane (depending on the OS version), you can configure automatic notifications of updates to OS X and other Mac App Store products. If you get an indication that a backup has failed, don't ignore it.

In fact, don’t rely on any single backup method, such as Time Machine. Backing up to a cloud-data service is one way to meet this need, but don't rely exclusively on such backups. Keep at least one backup off site at all times in case of disaster.

A copy of a backup doesn't count as another backup all backups must be made directly from the original data. Make two or more backups of all your files