As all of us have already known, joomla (in term of website backup)was built and performed on 2 basic components that are mutually related namely; (1) Database, and (2) Joomla CMS (Joomla Files and Folders). In the event of web files getting corrupted, virus attack, problem during installation of Joomla extension, being hacked or other kind of malicious attacks, manual backup and restoration of these two component could probably your remaining last hope. This Joomla support publication will show you how to do it manually yourself.

Files and Folders Backup
After you have finalized you web setting, it is adviseable that you should at least perform monthly backup of your joomla-based website. This backup procedure is almost similar to copy and paste action with FTP software doing the work for you. You should at least know how to set up and run an FTP software for you to do this. Technically, you just copy all of files and folders inside your server ‘public_html’  into your PC. Depending on your internet connection, files and folders back up will usually take around 15-20 minutes to complete.

i.  Launch your FTP software, then go to ‘public_html’

ii. Copy all files and folder inside ‘public_html’ to your PC. Your are done.

Database Backup
Joomla CMS is a database dependent web platform. All your web content and setting will be stored in a set of database. Manually, you can backup our database through your MySql panel inside your cPanel. You will need to identify which database is used by your joomla website before performing any back up.

i. Joomla configuration file
- From the files you back up earlier, open ‘configuration.php’ file. Search ‘var $db’ among the line. The value is your database name. For example:
var $db = 'manualback_jo155';
- From the above sample, your database name is ‘manualbackup_jo155’. You will need this information to backup you database later on.

ii. Log in to your cPanel and go to your PhpMyadmin tool

Once you have log in, go to your phpMyAdmin panel

iii. Backup your database

iv. Inside your phpMyAdmin panel, click on your database at the left column of the panel (refer to your database name as in step (i) above.

v. Then, a list of tables will be shown at the right panel but that is not what we are looking at now. Look for the ‘Export’ tab at the top right panel. Click on it and we will be forwarded to setting panel page on how we want to back up your database.

vi. On the ‘Export’ box, click ‘Select All’ to select all tables which you want to backup.

vii. At the bottom of the box, choose ‘SQL’ radio button as file format to save your database.

viii. Next, go to the ‘Options’ box at the top right of the panel. Leave this option as it is as shown in the given graphical guidance.

ix. Now, this is most important element that ou will need to address. At the structure box, you will need to tick on ‘ADD DROP TABLE/VIEW/PROCEDURE/FUNCTION’. If you don’t tick this one, you won’t be able to restore your database because the backup file does not have enough permission to overide existing database later on.

x. As for ‘Data’ box, leave it as it was.

xi. However, in ‘Save as file’ box, you will need to tick it so that you can save the database to your PC, not inside your server.

xii. After you are satisfied with the setting, click on ‘Go’ button to start your database backup to your PC.

File and Folders Restoration
Restoration of files and folders are the reverse of backup process. But it must be done carefully or you might lose your site functions.

i.  Launch your FTP software, then go to ‘public_html’
ii. Copy all files and folder inside your PC to your ‘public_html’. You are done.


Database Restoration

i. Go to cPanel>phpMyAdmin then choose your database again just like the one you have done above
ii. Click on the ‘Import’ tab located at the top right position of the page. Browse the location where you put our database and click on the ‘Go’ button to restore your database.

This work by Llewelyn L. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.