How do you manage your home computer backups?

[Matt..]

Boring subject i know.

I've recently started to pay more attention to backups of my computers. I have always made backups, but am now looking at better solutions.

The solution i've been using for my iMac is using Arq (http://arqbackup.com) to backup to Amazon S3 and Amazon Glacier, and using an external drive and Time Machine. This is what i've used for a good few years now.

Recently i received a new MBP, so have been looking at alternative solutions. My current solution is as follows:
- iCloud for primary files and to keep data in sync between all my devices (i'm heavily into the Apple ecosystem)
- Amazon Cloud Drive for photos (i recently noticed this was free for Prime subscribers when storing photos)
- Time Machine for local backups


This is relatively cost effective, as i can use a low tier of iCloud and put the hundreds of GB of photos on Amazon. The negatives on Amazon are that it is not a service that keeps folders in sync, and is effectively a manual file upload service.


What do you do? and would you recommend a different cloud service to the ones i have chosen?

[Matt..]

I've made a couple of changes to the routine...

1. iCloud - Primary files, for keeping documents in sync between devices
2. Timemachine - 2x external drives in rotation
3. Amazon Drive - Photos backup
4. Google Drive - Primary files backup using Arq (encrypted, versioned backups)
5. Amazon Glacier - All files (primary + photos) using Arq (encrypted, versioned backups) for long term storage and last resort emergency recovery


I am somewhat paranoid. Mostly about photo storage as i have 15yrs+ of images.

Cost of this is all very minimal. Arq is ~$50 (one time purchase), iCloud is 79p/month, Amazon Drive is free for photos, Google Drive is part of my Apps package i use for email, Amazon Glacier is ~£4/month.

All of this except Amazon Drive (photos backup) is fully automated and needs zero input from me.

I have hundreds of gigabytes on Amazon Drive, and even more on Amazon Glacier.

[Matt..]

I'd say that backups are now easy and an accessible service for anyone. It's especially easy with Mac OS.

My setup that i described earlier in this thread seems complex. There are multiple services in use. But in reality it's very straightforward to use.

1. Time Machine - Plug in an external USB drive and turn on Time Machine in Mac OS. You can add multiple drives and rotate them to locations away from home.
2. Arq - Install it, enter your details for cloud services (eg. Amazon Drive that comes with Amazon Prime, or Google Cloud Drive that comes with your Google account), then select folders to backup.
3. iCloud - Enable it in Mac OS.

All three of those are very simple, and once the initial easy setup is done they can be all but forgotten about as they just run in the background.


With the simplicity of this i encourage everyone to ensure they have suitable backups. There's nothing scary or complex about it.

[Matt..]

Luca Brazzi said:

Can anyone recommend who to look at for backup up roughly 4Tb of files online?

That would depend on a few factors. Is this home or business? Backup or file sync? Which OS? Are you happy to upload all the data?

[Matt..]

jmorgan said:

Which is why I have multiple versions, that is different media. I know if I lose the password to mine, non Apple on line, I lose the lot (not the account, zero knowledge policy). However I only have to get it reset, change my password on the reset and re upload.

Just started to get into the iCloud photos system and I am making sure that is backed up separately as deleting the pictures and they are gone, at least as far as the deleted items folder for 30 days. I have to keep looking in to make sure I have not deleted anything important.

Yeah i think that highlights some sensible rules for all to follow.

1. Don't rely on a single backup method/provider
2. Don't assume sync services (eg. iCloud) are the same as backups


Point 2 i see as a fairly important one to acknowledge. Sync systems are dangerous if you assume they are a backup. It's all to easy to delete files and not notice, and for them to be removed after 30 days without you ever knowing. Ensure you have fully versioned backups (eg. Time Machine for a local backup on Mac OS, or software such as Arq).

[Matt..]

King Herald said:

Not sure how you can work around an issue like that, and no idea how I deleted so many folders either.

As mentioned above, this is where versioned backups shine. It will allow you to recover files you accidentally delete for far longer than any sync service.

As you point out, it's incredibly easy to delete files without realising it.

[Matt..]

alock said:

If your backup set contains just a single file you didn't create, chances are it is covered by copyright that doesn't give you the right to copy it to a server. Apple (and most other providers) would be justified in deleting your entire account.

If you manage your own backup, you would still be in breach of copyright, but you would be able to manage the situation if required.

I personally only store my own documents and photos so am not concerned by such terms.

However, this situation is where encrypted backups are perhaps advantageous to some. Though it could be argued that they raise suspicion levels with cloud storage providers.