How to perform an external data backup?

I am planning on restoring my computer to factory settings due to virus and spyware infections. I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a simple backup system like this one I found. I need to backup all of my data: do####ents, pictures, music, videos, etc. and to then restore the data back to the newly reformatted system. Any suggestions?

“Getting information off the Internet is like taking a drink from a fire hydrant.” -Mitchell Kapor

 

Thanks for your reply, I don't know about online data backups. Can someone explain to me the pros and cons of using online data backup?

 

Pretty simple.
Pro is the data will be accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, and it is off site. So if your site(house) were to have some kind of disaster, youd have your backups.
Con is that youre not fully in control of your data.

Keep them on an external drive or something as well as online if you want to. I backup servers using the built in NTBackup tool on Windows, backed up to 2 external USB hard drives. I have backups for my backups.
All youd have to do is copy over anything you want to an external hard drive and store it somewhere safe.