US Patent 7822595 Systems and methods for selectively copying embedded data files

A backup system is provided that includes a backup application configured to automatically execute upon connection of the backup system to a data source. The backup application is configured to selectively back up data from the data source to itself or to networked storage, for example. As part of selectively backing up data, the backup application is further configured to selectively extract embedded data files, such as attachments, from internal files of e-mail programs. Between backups, the backup application can selectively extract newly received embedded data files to a folder. During a subsequent backup, the contents of the folder can be copied from the data source.