Online Backup

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Sun Aug 14, 2011 12:01 pm

If you're concerned about privacy, I would use encryption.

Basic is still encrypted, but it's encrypted with a key that Rackspace knows. They can be compelled to release that key and your data by law enforcement with a warrant. Some nosey engineer could conceivably look at your data. Someone could conceivably hack their network along with your key and be able to read all your data.

Encryption gives you the option of pre-encrypting your data with a key only you know. All that is stored on Rackspace's server is a blob of random gibberish without the key.

I encrypt my backups and I make sure all my client's backups are encrypted. Why take a chance?

Executioner · Post by **Executioner** » Sun Aug 14, 2011 2:16 pm

Can that option still be selected even though I've already started with basic?

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Sun Aug 14, 2011 6:27 pm

It can still be selected at any time as far as I know. Not sure how they handle it nowadays because anything you've already uploaded will not be encrypted. Probably it will start all over. No big deal, you're not getting charged for transfers only per Gb stored.

Pick a nice TOTALLY RANDOM encryption key passphrase and unlike the movies NO ONE will ever break it. Me, I copied 30 characters from Steve Gibson's random password generator here: https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm

Just make sure you save that passphrase and your Jungledisk login somewhere where you can find it even after a natural disaster (tornado, hurricane, earthquake, flood, whatever). If you lose everything and have to restore your data from the remote backup on a whole new system, you'll need it. Mine is in my safe deposit box.

CaterpillarAssassin · Post by **CaterpillarAssassin** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:00 am

how about Crashplan?

I have a bunch of movies and such that can be quite large that I want to backup. They seems great with unlimited and no filesize limits. Anyone ever use them? I tried their trial, and it looks pretty good?

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 9:23 am

According to their FAQ, as long as you use the Private Password feature, they won't have the encryption key. Just use a strong password.

CaterpillarAssassin · Post by **CaterpillarAssassin** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 9:58 am

Signed up with CrashPlan. They seem about the same as everyone, except with the lack of limitations. For $5/mo, you cant go wrong. My total backup size is about 600-800gb, and my initial backup time is 40-50 days @ 2mbps! Maybe there seed option is the way to go. They send you a 1tb hard drive to fill up and send them back for like $120. Comcast might appreciate that.

Executioner · Post by **Executioner** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 10:43 am

FlyingPenguin wrote:Pick a nice TOTALLY RANDOM encryption key passphrase and unlike the movies NO ONE will ever break it. Me, I copied 30 characters from Steve Gibson's random password generator here: https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm

Just make sure you save that passphrase and your Jungledisk login somewhere where you can find it even after a natural disaster (tornado, hurricane, earthquake, flood, whatever). If you lose everything and have to restore your data from the remote backup on a whole new system, you'll need it. Mine is in my safe deposit box.

Just curious - how and where do you save your info? I'm guessing is probably a safety deposit at a bank?

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 9:20 am

I have several backup mechanisms. I ascribe to the 3-2-1 backup system: 3 backups, using 2 different backup programs and media, 1 off-site.

I make daily backups to my server which in turn mirrors it daily to a NAS.
I make weekly backups to an external HDD.
One a month I burn a backup to DVD and put it in the safe deposit box.
And finally I use JungleDisk for nightly backups off-site.

Executioner · Post by **Executioner** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 1:38 pm

I was actually asking about the password. Hard enough to remember a 6-8 digit pw, but a 25? There is no way in hell I would remember that specially if its random.

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 2:59 pm

Saved in an encrypted text file in my files, on my laptop and ultimately in my safe deposit box at the bank.

It's an ugly long password like most of my passwords. I don't memorize anything except a few common passwords. The rest are backed up in encrypted files and I copy & paste.