Safer Internet: Offline: Backups

Quotes | Summary | Where? | Incremental | Complete | Offsite | What I Use | Other |
References: General | Android | Backblaze | Carbon Copy Cloner | Cloud | Death |
Dropbox | Future | Google | Hard Drive/SSD | iCloud | iOS | macOS |
Natural Disaster, esp. Cascadia Quake | OneDrive | Paper/Other | Photos |
Retrospect | SuperDuper | Thumb / USB Drive | TimeMachine | Windows

Quotes

Summary

  • "Data loss is when you no longer have access to your own data...
  • "Data theft is when someone else gets access to your data illicitly...
  • Backup frequency poll (2020) -- never: 19%; annual: 39%; monthly: 20%; 12%: weekly; daily: 10%; ~Backblaze; 6/18/2020
  • "3-2-1" backups: 3 copies of your data; 2 different, local methods (formats); 1 offsite
  • Disks & solid state drives (SSDs) -- and CDs, DVDs and thumb drives -- will eventually fail /corrupt
  • Recover from accidental deletions, theft, ransomware (Malware, Encryption), and incomplete system updates
  • 3Rs: Redundancy, Resiliency, Reliability
  • 1. Incremental: user files, settings -- to local or network external drive;
    often maintains some older file versions -- hourly/daily/weekly;
  • 2. Complete: user files & settings plus system and applications
    -- ideally an exact copy and bootable clone -- to local or network external drive -- weekly/monthly
  • 3. Offsite: cloud service -- ongoing (with internet connection), preferably automatically;
    partial: email, photos, contacts, notes, calendar, e.g., iCloud;
    selected files, folders (manually), e.g., iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive;
    passwords: synced between cloud & devices via password manager, e.g., 1Password;
    complete: cloud backup service such as Backblaze
  • Backups don't usually take long, e.g., < 30 minutes -- start before a coffee break or meal
  • World Backup Day March 31st (just before April Fool's)
  • International Verify Your Backups Day every Friday the 13th; TB
  • Check periodically that your backups actually occurred and that you can restore files!
  • When changing device settings, it's best to 'backup' the current settings, either via paper or screenshot, in case you change your mind.
  • References

Where to Backup?

  • Device or disk manufacturer may provide backup software, e.g., Time Machine, Retrospect
  • What is the total size (used + available) of your internal disk/SSD?
  • Option 1: Separate external drives, one for incremental, one for clone
    -- if you're concerned about the risk of a single drive failing or disappearing;
    some (newer) partitioned drives don't support bootable clones
  • Incremental (TimeMachine): size: 4x internal -- or more, if you'd like more versions and deleted files to be preserved
  • format: Disk Utility > OS Extended Journaled -- Encrypted (recommended); save recovery key!
  • you can enable encryption later: Time Machine Preferences > Encrypt Disk, which uses FileVault also
    -- however, enabling later is much s-l-o-w-e-r
  • Bootable clone(s) [Carbon Copy Cloner]: size: 1x internal -- or more, if you'd like multiple macOS versions, each in a separate partition
  • format: Disk Utility > OS Extended Journaled -- not Encrypted; CCC will convert to AFPS format (encrypt later)
  • before backing up [first time], System Preferences > Spotlight > Privacy: exclude backup drives
  • before cloning [each time], disable any automatic cloud-based backup,
    e.g., Backblaze Preferences > Settings > Schedule > Only When I Click Backup Now
  • after cloning [each time], renable any automatic cloud-based backup,
    e.g., Backblaze Preferences > Settings > Schedule > Continuously
  • to encrypt bootable clone backup, option-Restart; in Startup Manager, select backup disk/partition
  • after clone booted, System Preferences > Security & Privacy > FileVault: Turn On; save recovery key!
  • after clone encrypted, option-Restart; re-select internal disk/SSD
  • Option 2: [2] single local external disk partitioned to contain both incremental and clone backups -- convenient and economical; however, some cloned backups might not boot from newer partitioned drives?
  • e.g., 1x: 250G (clone); 3x: 750G (incremental; multiple versions/deleted files accessible)
  • Option 3: Cloud storage, e.g., iCloud, Backblaze. How secure is the cloud?
  • Very -- depending on how files are encrypted and stored, and who has access.
  • For brief explanation of different levels of security (via encryption) for Local and Cloud, see P@s$w0rdz:Storing:Encrypt
  • Option 4: [2] Shared local network drive (possibly with redundant drive arrays, e.g., RAID)

[1] Incremental Backup

  • Backup only what's changed, automatically: user files, multiple versions, settings, contacts, bookmarks
  • Frequency: hourly/daily/weekly -- esp. if many files added/changed; also, before any system updates
  • Alternatively, you could periodically backup selected files/folders manually to USB drive and/or cloud folder, e.g., DropBox, Box, Google Drive, Microsoft, OneDrive -- but, will you remember to do it?
  • macOS: Time Machine > Open Time Machine Preferences: select disk; Backup Now
  • (restore): Time Machine > Enter Time Machine [image]
  • Win: Settings > Update & Security > Backup > Backup Using File History
  • File History tool automatically saves multiple versions of a given file, so you can restore a file before it was changed or deleted

[1] Complete Backup

  • A complete, bootable clone contains everything, including applications and system files, and can help you recover from incomplete software updates
  • Frequency: weekly/monthly; also, before major system cleanup & updates -- and after successful updates
  • iOS (USB): Finder > Preferences > Sidebar > CDs, DVDs, and iOS Devices
  • macOS (to disk): Carbon Copy Cloner
  • Due to increased security in macOS, backup apps need to be granted permission for 'full disk access':
  • macOS: System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Full Disk Access --
    apps provide directions, e.g., Carbon Copy Cloner, Backblaze; permission needed also for system cleanup tools like Titanium's Maintenance or Onyx
  • Win: Settings > System & Security > Set up backup
  • Backup and Restore creates a single backup of the latest version of your files on a schedule. It can also create a “system image,” which is a snapshot of your entire system -- operating system, programs, documents, and all -- which makes it easy to restore everything

[1] Offsite: Cloud and/or Other Physical Location

  • Store backup(s) somewhere other than your house/office in case your device and local backups are damaged, stolen, hacked, ...
  • USB/external disk/DVD at a remote site, e.g., bank Safety Deposit box, trusted friend's house
  • For desktop systems, a cloud provider can provide an automatic, complete backup with 'unlimited' storage for relatively small cost, e.g., ~$5/mo.
  • Frequency: ongoing
  • macOS (to cloud): Backblaze
  • Initial backup may take days, depending on number/size of files, and speed of internet connection
  • Restore selected files via download; since restoring everything from a remote backup could take awhile, service may ship a loaner drive, e.g., Backblaze
  • see References for other products, e.g., Retrospect; Carbonite: Windows ok, but Mac not, due to lack of private keys
  • Other cloud options are available for mobile devices and selected data and settings -- often free if default storage used, e.g., iCloud < 5GB
  • A password manager can store/sync encrypted passwords, e.g., 1Password on 1password.com, iCloud or Dropbox
  • Email backup may not be necessary if using IMAP, i.e., messages already stored on ISP's mail server and cached on each device
  • Share -- and backup -- documents & photos via services like Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud, Microsoft OneDrive
  • Back up/sync system settings, bookmarks and certain types of documents and data via iCloud
  • iOS: Settings > (your acct) > iCloud: Photos, Mail, Contacts, Calendars, Reminders, Notes, Safari, News, Home, Game Center, Siri, Keychain, Find My iPad/iPhone, iCloud Backup
  • iOS: Settings > (your acct) > iCloud > Storage > Manage Storage > Backups: device; Documents&Data
  • iOS: Settings > (your acct) > Family Sharing -- setup
  • iOS: Settings > (your acct) > iCloud > Manage Storage > Share With Family -- share iCloud storage
  • What's shared: Apple media purchases, Apple Music family plans, iCloud storage plans, Photo album, Calendar, Reminders, Locations, Find My iPhone family view
  • Not shared: songs in iTunes Match (not purchased in the iTunes Store), in-app purchases, items hidden by a group member, some apps from the App Store (this is left up to each developer)
  • macOS: System Preferences > iCloud: Photos, Mail, Contacts, Calendars, Reminders, Safari, Notes, Keychain, Back to My Mac (File/Screen Sharing), Find My Mac
  • macOS: System Preferences > iCloud > Manage... (lower right)
  • macOS: icloud.com > Settings (home) > Storage
  • Is cloud storage safe?
  • Encryption depends on the strength & security of the encryption key -- in addition to the password you use to login to cloud provider (plus its security practices)
  • Encrypting in transit (via HTTPS:) is assumed; is file decrypted by provider before being re-encrypted?
  • If cloud provider has that key, files are vulnerable to hacking or government request -- only you should know / control separate 'private key' (which is not same as login password)
  • Conclusion: Extremely secure if file already encrypted 'end-to-end', e.g., password manager;
    or cloud service uses a separate (non-account) key which only you have, e.g., Backblaze
  • Ideally, 2-step authentication is available to protect account login -- section: Passwords

update backup iTunesWhat I Use

  • two separate external drives: for TimeMachine and for Carbon Copy Cloner
  • cloud services: iCloud, Backblaze
  • incremental [ext disk]: macOS: TimeMachine -- files; several times/week
  • incremental [cloud]: macOS, iOS: iCloud -- Safari, Settings, etc.; notes; ongoing; 1password.com
  • incremental [cloud]: macOS: Backblaze -- all files; ongoing (also external non-backup partitions);
    if you subscribe to Backblaze, use this referral link (or code: 00gxf7) to receive a free month; Steve receives a free month credit.
  • complete [ext disk]: macOS: Carbon Copy Cloner -- files, apps, system; monthly, esp. before macOS updates
  • complete (via macOS) iOS: files, settings, etc. (Manual) before iOS updates -- see screenshot on right {???}

Other

  • [1] Paper: important device & account passwords (esp. for password manager!) in SD box
  • [1] Save .pdf of various paper documents, e.g., manuals for devices & appliances from manufacturers sites
  • [1] While travelling, backup digital photos to local drive, other device or cloud
  • [2] Customize photo storage settings to optimize space, cost, sync time, esp. if you have many GB of photos & devices
  • [3] If you host a blog or website, make backups, e.g., WordPress.com > Dashboard > Tools > Export

References

Android

Backblaze

Carbon Copy Cloner (Mac)

Cloud

Death, Divorce

Dropbox

Future

Google

Hard Drive, SSD

iCloud (Apple)

iOS

macOS

Natural Disaster

OneDrive (Microsoft)

Paper, Other

Photos

Retrospect

SuperDuper (Mac)

Thumb / USB Drives

TimeMachine (Mac)

Windows