A data backup system for backing up a data file from a source device
having a source processor and an input device to a target device having a
target processor and a database over a communication network. The source
processor determines whether the data file has been modified, and if so,
determines the modified data block(s). The modified data block(s) are
transmitted from the source processor to the target processor over the
communication network. The target processor receives the modified data
block(s) from the source device over the communications network, and uses
the modified data block(s) to construct the data file, and to store the
data file on the database. Concurrently, it is determined if the input
device is active at any time during the backup process, and if so, the
backup processing is interrupted until the input device has been inactive
for a predetermined period of time.