Keeping Your Data Safe

8 replies
What online backup service would you recommend? I currently backup to an external HD but that doesn't feel very safe.

If the computer gets a virus, will it also get into the external HD? Should I backup and then disconnect the external HD to avoid that?
#data #external hd #keep your stuff safe #keeping #online backup #safe
  • Profile picture of the author Melanie Crouse
    I've been thinking I should look into an online backup too. I've heard good things about Mozy.

    And to answer your second question - yes! Any writable drive that is connected (external HD, USB flashdrive, antique floppies, anything that is writable) can be infected.
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    • Profile picture of the author Michele Miller
      Hi Robin,

      I have an external too, but I have two of them. So I alternate the back ups. It's highly unlikely that I would get a virus on both that way, plus I run anti-virus software and spyware programs etc., on a regular basis.

      I don't think I would like to trust a back up service with all my personal information. What if they get hacked?

      Michele
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      • Profile picture of the author Richard Tunnah
        I've used mozy for the last 2 years and am really happy with them. Set and forget as it automatically backs up.

        Rich
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        • Profile picture of the author RobinSkeen
          Originally Posted by Richard Tunnah View Post

          I've used mozy for the last 2 years and am really happy with them. Set and forget as it automatically backs up.

          Rich

          Rich:

          How long does it take to backup? I've heard anywhere from a couple hours to a couple of days! If you have to retrieve, how long would that take?
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          • Profile picture of the author Richard Tunnah
            Originally Posted by RobinSkeen View Post

            Rich:

            How long does it take to backup? I've heard anywhere from a couple hours to a couple of days! If you have to retrieve, how long would that take?
            Difficult to answer without knowing the amount of data you want backing up. I only back up data not programs etc. I have about a 1 gb of data I believe. The back-ups for changed data only takes about 20 minutes a day but I've not had to use the restore function (yet!). I can imagine it may take a while as your dependent on your internet connection. Alternatively Mozy offer a service where you buy a DVD of all your stored data ontheir server. Not sure how long this takes to get to you though.

            Rich
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  • Profile picture of the author RobinSkeen
    @Melanie - I rather thought that made sense. Things have changed so much in the past couple of years that I failed to keep up with all of it.

    @Michele - That is a very good idea with two hard drives. I also have Norton so I don't worry too much about viruses. Also, the part about the online service getting hacked did occur to me.

    Another question for those who also backup to external hard drives - do you use a mirror program of some sort and back up the whole thing? Do you just backup your data files?
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  • Profile picture of the author Richard Tunnah
    Originally Posted by ProductCreator View Post

    Personally I don't trust online backup.

    Sure, your data is sent securely but nothing is 100% secure.

    I back up to 2 external hard drives manually. You can buy a RAID 1 hard disk that will automatically mirror your data and if one drive fails, you still have your data.

    What I now need to do is figure out an alternative method of offsite backups. Because if I had a fire or theft, I'd be screwed. This is the advantage of online backups.
    You can get fireproof HD enclosure but not sure if they're water tight as well.

    Rich
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