Title: Using the Database backup function effectively Last modified: August 22, 2016 --- # Using the Database backup function effectively * Resolved [maliwoot](https://wordpress.org/support/users/maliwoot/) * (@maliwoot) * [11 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/using-the-database-backup-function-effectively/) * Hi BPS, * This is move of a ‘preventative’ question and also a question on emailing database backups. * When I create a Backup job, I go through all the options correctly, set it to manual and set to email a zip file of the Back up. * However, I never actually get these emails for some reason, but I can go to the blue “backupfiles – download/delete” tab and download it there after running the job anyway, so I guess it doesn’t matter. * My other question is if something does happen, and my databases are compromised, how would I rectify the problem with my database backup, if I called up my hosting provider, would they know what to do with the sql files? * They backup my files (not DB) on a daily basis, so fixing those problems are easy – just undo changes, I also run wordfence which allows me to revert back to a file before it was compromised. * Further to this, would you recommend that we set it to delete old DB backups? or does this not matter much. * Kind regards. * [https://wordpress.org/plugins/bulletproof-security/](https://wordpress.org/plugins/bulletproof-security/) Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total) * Plugin Author [AITpro](https://wordpress.org/support/users/aitpro/) * (@aitpro) * [11 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/using-the-database-backup-function-effectively/#post-5450681) * > However, I never actually get these emails for some reason… * How large are you zip backup files? My host allows up to 30MB file attachments. If the zip backup files are larger than your host allows to be attached to an email then the zip attachments will not be sent. I am not sure if we decided to send an email if that happened or just not send the email since it would not contain the zip file. * Personally I don’t trust or use the email backup zip feature. Call me paranoid, but I prefer to do the zip backups manually, download them to my computer and delete them from my sites. * Restoring zip backups using phpMyAdmin in your web host control panel is a very simple and quick thing to do. See the WP link below for the steps. * [http://codex.wordpress.org/Restoring_Your_Database_From_Backup](http://codex.wordpress.org/Restoring_Your_Database_From_Backup) * Notes: * Depending on your database size/size of the zip file you could be waiting for a while for the file to be uploaded and imported/extracted/restored. * You should check and change your max file upload size if necessary. ie if you have a 100MB zip backup and your max file upload size is set below 100MB then the upload will fail. You would change the max upload size setting in a php.ini file. If you have never heard of a php.ini file before then you will need to get your host to do that for you. * Choosing whether or not to delete old backup files is a personal preference thing so that is completely up to you. I guess if I was saving DB backups on my sites I would choose 6 months / 180 days. * Plugin Author [AITpro](https://wordpress.org/support/users/aitpro/) * (@aitpro) * [11 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/using-the-database-backup-function-effectively/#post-5450998) * Did this answer all of your questions? If so, please resolve this thread. If not, please post any additional questions you may have. * Thread Start Date: 11-5-2014 Current Date: 11-7-2014 * Plugin Author [AITpro](https://wordpress.org/support/users/aitpro/) * (@aitpro) * [11 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/using-the-database-backup-function-effectively/#post-5451025) * Did this answer all of your questions? If so, please resolve this thread. If not, please post any additional questions you may have. * Thread Start Date: 11-5-2014 Current Date: 11-10-2014 * Plugin Author [AITpro](https://wordpress.org/support/users/aitpro/) * (@aitpro) * [11 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/using-the-database-backup-function-effectively/#post-5451046) * Assuming that all questions were answered the thread has been resolved. If you have any additional questions about this specific topic please post them. * Thread Start Date: 11-5-2014 Current Date/Resolved Thread Date: 11-11-2014 * Just noticed this question – “just undo changes, I also run wordfence which allows me to revert back to a file before it was compromised.” * Sounds kind of like BPS Pro AutoRestore/Quarantine only it is a manual tool and is not automated like AutoRestore/Quarantine IDPS in BPS Pro. Not bad, but not BPS Pro AutoRestore/Quarantine IDPS of course. 😉 * Thread Starter [maliwoot](https://wordpress.org/support/users/maliwoot/) * (@maliwoot) * [11 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/using-the-database-backup-function-effectively/#post-5451049) * Thankyou, yes this answers all of my questions! Have not been able to see this until now. * Thanks! Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total) The topic ‘Using the Database backup function effectively’ is closed to new replies. * ![](https://ps.w.org/bulletproof-security/assets/icon-128x128.png?rev=1731938) * [BulletProof Security](https://wordpress.org/plugins/bulletproof-security/) * [Support Threads](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/bulletproof-security/) * [Active Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/bulletproof-security/active/) * [Unresolved Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/bulletproof-security/unresolved/) * [Reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/bulletproof-security/reviews/) * 5 replies * 2 participants * Last reply from: [maliwoot](https://wordpress.org/support/users/maliwoot/) * Last activity: [11 years, 7 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/using-the-database-backup-function-effectively/#post-5451049) * Status: resolved