You cannot select more than 25 topics
Topics must start with a letter or number, can include dashes ('-') and can be up to 35 characters long.
70 lines
14 KiB
HTML
70 lines
14 KiB
HTML
<!DOCTYPE html>
|
|
<html lang="en">
|
|
<head>
|
|
<title>(POST) Taking Proper Backups</title>
|
|
<link rel="icon" type="image/x-icon" href="../images/favicon.webp">
|
|
<link rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' href="../style.css">
|
|
<meta charset="utf-8"/>
|
|
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
|
|
</head>
|
|
<body>
|
|
<a style="text-decoration: none;" href="../">
|
|
<pre class="main-header">
|
|
_______ _ _ _______ __ __ _______ _______ __ _
|
|
|______ | | |______ \_/ |_____| |_____| | \ |
|
|
______| |_____| | | | | | | | \_|
|
|
</pre>
|
|
</a>
|
|
<hr/><p><a href="../">sf.cu</a> > <a style="color:#bd93f9" href="../blog/">Blog</a> > <a style="color:#bd93f9" href="."><svg class="posts" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="16" height="16" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><path fill="currentColor" d="M11 20H6.5q-2.275 0-3.888-1.575T1 14.575q0-1.95 1.175-3.475T5.25 9.15q.625-2.3 2.5-3.725T12 4q2.925 0 4.963 2.038T19 11q1.725.2 2.863 1.488T23 15.5q0 1.875-1.313 3.188T18.5 20H13v-7.15l1.6 1.55L16 13l-4-4l-4 4l1.4 1.4l1.6-1.55V20Z"/></svg>Taking Proper Backups</a></p>
|
|
<h1><svg class="heading2" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="16" height="16" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><path fill="currentColor" d="M11 20H6.5q-2.275 0-3.888-1.575T1 14.575q0-1.95 1.175-3.475T5.25 9.15q.625-2.3 2.5-3.725T12 4q2.925 0 4.963 2.038T19 11q1.725.2 2.863 1.488T23 15.5q0 1.875-1.313 3.188T18.5 20H13v-7.15l1.6 1.55L16 13l-4-4l-4 4l1.4 1.4l1.6-1.55V20Z"/></svg>Taking Proper Backups</h1>
|
|
<p style="font-size:110%">Posted on: <strong>27 July 2023</strong></p><p style="font-size:110%">Reading time: <strong><strong>5 min</strong><p style="font-size:110%"></strong>Category: <a style="color:#ff79c6" href="../blog/technology/"><strong>Technology</strong></a></p>
|
|
<p>Taking backups is crucial in every single context. There is simply no situation where the lack of backups was beneficial. Such situations are always detrimental to people. Backups are also important for businesses, especially ones which are responsible for the lives of people, like hospitals.</p>
|
|
<p>Taking backups prevents data loss due to software or hardware errors. Even accidents have a minimal impact if you have a backup. It allows businesses to keep growing instead of being worried about recovering crucial client data. For public services like hospitals, being hit with ransomware is an extremely difficult moment. If the ransom is not paid immediately, it can result in loss of human lives. This is why you either have backups or lose money.</p>
|
|
<p>Losing precious memories hurts. Backups prevent this gut-wrenching scenario from ever occurring. With many spectacular backup solutions being free or cheap, there is absolutely no reason to take backups. If you work with new computers and devices regularly, then taking backups makes it easy to migrate and install multiple instances on new devices. This is especially easy with <strong>Linux</strong> systems due to the simple dotfile method. It also provides version control. If you have old versions of documents and files, it is easy to refer to previous examples for future work.</p>
|
|
<p>If there is one thing that people love about backups, it is the peace of mind you get knowing that you have an extremely low chance of losing your important data.</p>
|
|
<p>It does not matter if you are a normal person or a massive business; you should spend time and money to back up your data properly.</p>
|
|
<h2><svg class="heading2" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 16 16"><path fill="currentColor" d="M9 4.75A.75.75 0 0 1 9.75 4h4a.75.75 0 0 1 .53 1.28l-1.89 1.892c.312.076.604.18.867.319c.742.391 1.244 1.063 1.244 2.005c0 .653-.231 1.208-.629 1.627c-.386.408-.894.653-1.408.777c-1.01.243-2.225.063-3.124-.527a.751.751 0 0 1 .822-1.254c.534.35 1.32.474 1.951.322c.306-.073.53-.201.67-.349c.129-.136.218-.32.218-.596c0-.308-.123-.509-.444-.678c-.373-.197-.98-.318-1.806-.318a.75.75 0 0 1-.53-1.28l1.72-1.72H9.75A.75.75 0 0 1 9 4.75Zm-3.587 5.763c-.35-.05-.77.113-.983.572a.75.75 0 1 1-1.36-.632c.508-1.094 1.589-1.565 2.558-1.425c1 .145 1.872.945 1.872 2.222c0 1.433-1.088 2.192-1.79 2.681c-.308.216-.571.397-.772.573H7a.75.75 0 0 1 0 1.5H3.75a.75.75 0 0 1-.75-.75c0-.69.3-1.211.67-1.61c.348-.372.8-.676 1.15-.92c.8-.56 1.18-.904 1.18-1.474c0-.473-.267-.69-.587-.737ZM5.604.089A.75.75 0 0 1 6 .75v4.77h.711a.75.75 0 0 1 0 1.5H3.759a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.5H4.5V2.15l-.334.223a.75.75 0 0 1-.832-1.248l1.5-1a.75.75 0 0 1 .77-.037Z"/></svg>3-2-1 Backup Rule</h2>
|
|
<p>The 3-2-1 backup rule is a rule that many people recommend following to remember to take proper backups. Here is the meaning of each of the numbers:</p>
|
|
<ol>
|
|
<li><strong>Three Copies</strong>: The "3" in the rule means that you should at least three copies of your data. This includes your original data, so you should have at least your original data along with two other copies. The advantage of having these many copies is that it is the perfect balance of simplicity and redundancy.</li>
|
|
<li><strong>Two Different Media</strong>: The "2" in the rule means that you should have your backups on at least two different media types. This may include physical (external SSD, NAS) and digital (server you own, cloud storage) backups.</li>
|
|
<li><strong>One Off-site Copy</strong>: The "1" in the rule means that you should have at least one off-site copy. Off-site in this case means somewhere other than your main home or regular backup methods. This can be an encrypted external hard drive that you leave at your relative's house, for example.</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
<p>It is important to note that these rules are not a plan for everyone, and are instead meant as a base for your backup plans. The least important data that you own should at least be backed up using the base 3-2-1 backup plan.</p>
|
|
<h2><svg class="heading2" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><path fill="currentColor" d="M17 13a4 4 0 0 1 0 8c-2.142 0-4-1.79-4-4h-2a4 4 0 1 1-.535-2h3.07A3.998 3.998 0 0 1 17 13ZM2 12v-2h2V7a4 4 0 0 1 4-4h8a4 4 0 0 1 4 4v3h2v2H2Z"/></svg>Using Invasive Services (Drive, OneDrive, iCloud)</h2>
|
|
<p>When it comes to using Big Tech's invasive services, you have to be extremely careful since they do not respect your privacy at all. At the bare minimum, you should be encrypting the files you upload if they are even of a little importance to you.</p>
|
|
<p>A popular program for file and drive encryption is VeraCrypt. To learn how to use it in detail, <a href="https://yewtu.be/watch?v=cxo8xosH_TI">watch this video</a>. The overall process goes like this:</p>
|
|
<ol>
|
|
<li>Create a new encrypted file specifying the password and other details like total space.</li>
|
|
<li><strong>Save the password somewhere safe to not forget it.</strong></li>
|
|
<li>Unlock the file using your password.</li>
|
|
<li>Copy all your important files to it.</li>
|
|
<li>Unmount the file</li>
|
|
<li>Upload it wherever you want</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
<p>This makes it difficult to easily access your files from your phone or another device, but it is totally worth it for your privacy.</p>
|
|
<h2><svg class="heading2" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 15 15"><path fill="currentColor" d="M6 7.5a1.5 1.5 0 1 1 3 0a1.5 1.5 0 0 1-3 0Z"/><path fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M0 3.5A1.5 1.5 0 0 1 1.5 2h12A1.5 1.5 0 0 1 15 3.5v8a1.5 1.5 0 0 1-1.5 1.5h-12A1.5 1.5 0 0 1 0 11.5v-8ZM4 4H2v2h1V5h1V4Zm8 1h-1V4h2v2h-1V5ZM7.5 5a2.5 2.5 0 1 0 0 5a2.5 2.5 0 0 0 0-5Zm3.5 5v1h2V9h-1v1h-1ZM2 9h1v1h1v1H2V9Z" clip-rule="evenodd"/></svg>Using Paid Services (Backblaze, Mega)</h2>
|
|
<p>Services like Mega allow you to pay for more storage, just like Drive, OneDrive or Dropbox. There are privacy concerns with the latter three, however. ProtonDrive is also a good option, but it has had some controversy due to the <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2021/09/06/protonmail-logged-ip-address-of-french-activist-after-order-by-swiss-authorities/">privacy concerns of ProtonMail</a>. However, I am comfortable recommending it.</p>
|
|
<p>BackBlaze is a backup program that is under the <a href="https://opensource.org/license/mit/">MIT licence</a>. It works really well for most of their customers, so I am comfortable recommending it.</p>
|
|
<h2><svg class="heading2" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><g fill="none"><path d="M24 0v24H0V0h24ZM12.593 23.258l-.011.002l-.071.035l-.02.004l-.014-.004l-.071-.035c-.01-.004-.019-.001-.024.005l-.004.01l-.017.428l.005.02l.01.013l.104.074l.015.004l.012-.004l.104-.074l.012-.016l.004-.017l-.017-.427c-.002-.01-.009-.017-.017-.018Zm.265-.113l-.013.002l-.185.093l-.01.01l-.003.011l.018.43l.005.012l.008.007l.201.093c.012.004.023 0 .029-.008l.004-.014l-.034-.614c-.003-.012-.01-.02-.02-.022Zm-.715.002a.023.023 0 0 0-.027.006l-.006.014l-.034.614c0 .012.007.02.017.024l.015-.002l.201-.093l.01-.008l.004-.011l.017-.43l-.003-.012l-.01-.01l-.184-.092Z"/><path fill="currentColor" d="M20 15v4a2 2 0 0 1-1.85 1.995L18 21H6a2 2 0 0 1-1.995-1.85L4 19v-4h16Zm-6 2a1 1 0 1 0 0 2a1 1 0 0 0 0-2Zm3 0a1 1 0 1 0 0 2a1 1 0 0 0 0-2Zm3-8v4H4V9h16Zm-2-6a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2H4V5a2 2 0 0 1 2-2h12Z"/></g></svg>Using Owned Services (servers, syncing)</h2>
|
|
<p>When you are using services you own, you have to make sure that you verify the integrity of your files. File corruption can happen on every platform, but it is much better to verify your files on your server since there may be issues with your setup that causes file corruption.</p>
|
|
<p>It is also important to keep a separate drive or storage medium on your services if possible. If anything happens to your main system, it becomes really easy to just wipe the system and install a new one, knowing that your data is safe.</p>
|
|
<p>You can also use sync services like Syncthing for small files that you need synced within all of your devices. I use it to sync my password manager and personal notes. It is encrypted and open-source software and works extremely fast. It is so fast that by the time I save a file and open my phone, the file is already updated. This prevents conflicts.</p>
|
|
<h2><svg class="heading2" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 2048 2048"><path fill="currentColor" d="M960 768q-69 0-137-6t-137-19q-34-7-79-18t-93-30t-94-42t-83-54t-58-68t-23-83q0-45 22-82t59-68t82-55t94-42t93-29t80-19q68-13 136-19t138-6q69 0 137 6t137 19q34 7 79 18t93 30t94 42t83 54t58 68t23 83q0 45-22 82t-59 68t-82 55t-94 42t-93 30t-80 18q-68 13-136 19t-138 6zm0 128q45 0 100-3t115-10t120-18t117-29t106-40t86-53q13-11 21-21t20-23q2-2 9-6t10-7v146q0 46-23 83t-60 69t-85 55t-96 42t-95 30t-81 18q-66 12-132 17t-132 6q-66 0-132-5t-132-18q-34-6-80-18t-95-30t-96-42t-85-55t-61-68t-23-84V686q3 2 10 6t9 7q11 12 19 22t22 22q36 30 85 53t106 40t117 28t120 19t115 10t101 3zm0 384q45 0 100-3t115-10t120-18t117-29t106-40t86-53q13-11 21-21t20-23q2-2 9-6t10-7v146q0 46-23 83t-60 69t-85 55t-96 42t-95 30t-81 18q-66 12-132 17t-132 6q-66 0-132-5t-132-18q-34-7-80-18t-95-30t-96-42t-85-55t-61-68t-23-84v-146q3 2 10 6t9 7q11 12 19 22t22 22q36 30 85 53t106 40t117 28t120 19t115 10t101 3zm0 384q45 0 100-3t115-10t120-18t117-29t106-40t86-53q13-11 21-21t20-23q2-2 9-6t10-7v146q0 46-23 83t-60 69t-85 55t-96 42t-95 30t-81 18q-66 12-132 17t-132 6q-66 0-132-5t-132-18q-34-6-80-18t-95-30t-96-42t-85-55t-61-68t-23-84v-146q3 2 10 6t9 7q11 12 19 22t22 22q36 30 85 53t106 40t117 28t120 19t115 10t101 3z"/></svg>Taking Offline Backups</h2>
|
|
<p>If you are taking offline backups, you should be careful with encrypting your data if you need it. You should first assess whether you need encryption or not. If you live in an area with a lot of robberies, encrypt it, as a robber who is smart enough may steal your drive.</p>
|
|
<p>Make sure to get an external hard drive or SSD from a reputable company like <a href="https://www.westerndigital.com/products?filterByUseCaseName=Backups">Western Digital</a> or <a href="https://www.samsung.com/us/computing/memory-storage/portable-solid-state-drives/">Samsung</a>.</p>
|
|
<p>By buying a product from a reputable company, you get a reliable product that lasts a long time.</p>
|
|
<h2><svg class="heading2" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><path fill="currentColor" d="M19 3H5c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2v14c0 1.1.9 2 2 2h14c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2V5c0-1.1-.9-2-2-2zm-8 14H7c-.55 0-1-.45-1-1s.45-1 1-1h4c.55 0 1 .45 1 1s-.45 1-1 1zm3-4h-4c-.55 0-1-.45-1-1s.45-1 1-1h4c.55 0 1 .45 1 1s-.45 1-1 1zm3-4h-4c-.55 0-1-.45-1-1s.45-1 1-1h4c.55 0 1 .45 1 1s-.45 1-1 1z"/></svg>Maintaining Backups</h2>
|
|
<p>While it is important to back up your data, it is also important to maintain your backups. At the end of every month, check your backups to see if your files are still intact. If a specific backup medium keeps showing corruption in files, move it to another drive immediately, since they can fail at any time.</p>
|
|
<h2><svg class="heading2" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><path fill="currentColor" d="M6.012 18H21V4a2 2 0 0 0-2-2H6c-1.206 0-3 .799-3 3v14c0 2.201 1.794 3 3 3h15v-2H6.012C5.55 19.988 5 19.805 5 19s.55-.988 1.012-1zM8 6h9v2H8V6z"/></svg>Conclusion</h2>
|
|
<p>While it is important to take backups, it is also important to make sure you are taking them properly. Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule. If you are using invasive services, encrypt all of your files before uploading them using a trusted piece of software like VeraCrypt.</p>
|
|
<p>Try to use services that you own as much as possible, to be completely independent. Make sure to have offline backups.</p>
|
|
<p><a href="mailto:sufyaan@counterhawks.com?subject=Taking%20Proper%20Backups">>>> Reply To Me</a></p>
|
|
<p><a href="backups.pdf">>>> Download PDF</a></p>
|
|
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="../vimwiki/" style="color:#bd93f9"><svg class="footer-posts" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 48 48"><mask id="ipSLeftOne0"><path fill="#fff" stroke="#fff" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="4" d="M30 36L18 24l12-12v24Z"/></mask><path fill="currentColor" d="M0 0h48v48H0z" mask="url(#ipSLeftOne0)"/></svg>Previous Post</a> - <a style="color:#bd93f9" href="../minimal-design/">Next Post</a> <svg class="footer-posts" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 48 48"><mask id="ipSRightOne0"><path fill="#fff" stroke="#fff" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="4" d="m20 12l12 12l-12 12V12Z"/></mask><path fill="#bd93f9" d="M0 0h48v48H0z" mask="url(#ipSRightOne0)"/></svg></p>
|
|
<hr/>
|
|
<footer>
|
|
<p class="footer-text"><a style="color:#bd93f9" href="../blog">blog</a> - <a style="color:#ffb86c" href="../about">about</a> - <a style="color:#f1fa8c" href="../portfolio">portfolio</a> - <a style="color:#ff5555" href="../links">links</a></p>
|
|
<p class="footer-text" style="font-size:80%"><a href="../">sufyaan.me</a></p><p class="footer-text" style="font-size:65%"><a style="color:#aaaaaa" href="../sitemap">Site Map</a></p>
|
|
</footer>
|