Computer security strategy for home users?

[Bodo]

What can you do to save your data, and keep it safe? Assuming you have a desktop PC, a laptop and an external harddrive. My /home directory is synchronised on the laptop with rsync, and the external hdd keeps a backup of the entire desktop including media files that would use too much space on the laptop anyway.

What, apart from keeping the external hdd at any other address to the desktop can I do against loss and misuse of my data? For example, when the external hdd or the laptop gets stolen.

Encrypted file system? Boot password?

[mattley]

Bodo said:

For example, when the external hdd or the laptop gets stolen.

Are you planning this in advance....


It depends really on how sensitive your data is and how much there is of it.
There are several internet based solutions out there, but they get expensive if you're talking movies and pictures. I was astonished at how little data and generated content I actually had last time I changed my machine, so I just use a memory stick, anything else I can download install or rip again.

If you've got loads of your own pictures and movies and you're really paranoid, then build a storage server and hide it behind a partition in the cupboard under the stairs. You can back that up onto a large removable disk and leave it round a mates. That way when they nick your workstation and your lappy there's very little chance of them getting your content. If your house burn down you've got a backup round your mates.


If you're really worried then encrypt your filesystem and force a BIOS login but that makes your day to day existence more complicated. There's a great trick which involves an assembler routine, which you put in a desktop folder called Pr0N and called <view my Pr0N> . On double click, it would dissable the whole disk in seconds by trashing all the crucial structure sectors. I'll see if I can find it again.

[BliarOut]

Depending on how confidential the information is you can back it all up to a Googlemail account using Gspace.

[arfur]

My external NAS box is in a wall ... literally !!! Nick that you scumbags

[rlk500]

If you really want it secure get it off site. Buy some hosting space with a good provider. FTP your data up to them. That way it's offsite but also available from anywhere on the planet providing you can get web access.