Encrypt or Password Protect backup drive?

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[dmt_3904]

I have a Seagate BUP Slim.  I use Macrium to backup my Windows 10 laptop.  I also run a file backup.  I wanted to protect it with a password or encrypt it.  Seagate says they don’t advocate anything, but you can use 3rd party software or Bitlocker

https://www.seagate.com/manuals/backupplus/frequently-asked-questions/

I don’t want to get new software. I have used Bitlocker – but I am concerned that it could render my backup useless, if it goes ‘bad.’  I would set it to open on this computer automatically (computer has a password – so I figure that is safe to do).  But, if it gets fouled up and I need to access the data in case of a meltdown, it could be a problem.  I don’t have any top secret info on my laptop – just personal data that you would not want criminals to have.

Have you protected your backup drive(s) and if so, how?

• This topic was modified 5 years ago by dmt_3904.

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If you have the paid version of Macrium Reflect, it can encrypt the backups.  If the cost is not too high, that might be a good solution if you haven’t already done it.  I would have bought it when I used Windows, but I needed three copies for each of my main PCs, and the cost for all three was like the rent… the price was just too,,, high.

I’ve always encrypted my backups that contained sensitive data. I did use Reflect free to back up less sensitive data, but for the personal stuff, I had to use something else.  Some of the free backup programs can perform encryption… I used to use Aomei Backupper for that, but they too have relegated that feature to the paid edition. Aomei reliably backed up my stuff quickly and effectively, but it did do some bizarre things during restoration that resulted in unbootable systems (though I was able to fix it), so I took it off my ‘recommended’ list back then.  I have not re-evaluated Backupper since then; it is very possible that it is fixed by now.  It was cheaper than Reflect, and other than those restoration issues, it always worked well, and I never had any data loss with it.

Prior to using Backupper, I used Acronis True image, paid edition (it doesn’t have a free edition on its own, but some of the hard drive makers make True Image available for people that use their hardware, though it is an older version of True Image, and may not come with all features).  It had become so buggy that I gave up on software I’d paid for! I’d been an Acronis user for a bunch of years, but it just got worse and worse.

Now I use Veeam agent for Linux (free for consumers), and it has all the important features, like incremental backups and encryption.  It’s also very fast, and every backup and restore operation has been flawless.  Veeam offers a Windows version, so you might want to try that.  No idea if it’s anything like the Linux version, but if so, it would be a good choice.

I don’t know much about the full drive encryption for Windows. I would imagine that VeraCrypt or similar programs would work for that purpose, but I’ve never used them.

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oh hey thanks for your feedback! I have a paid subscription to Macrium – but it’s been a while since I installed it, so I didn’t know about the encryption or I’d forgotten! I will check that out.  And thanks for your feedback on Acronis.  I had looked into that for offline backup and decided it was too technical for me, so I was happy that I had not chosen it, since you say its become buggy.  I am using Carbonite. And since I’ve already paid for Macrium, I figured I’m covered there – but Acronis appealed to me bc it offers all that in one product.  Anyway, I appreciate your help! : )

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Ascaris wrote:

True Image…  It had become so buggy that I gave up

I use Acronis and have no issues. Details please?

cheers, Paul

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Alex5723

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Paul T wrote:

Ascaris wrote:

True Image…  It had become so buggy that I gave up

I use Acronis and have no issues. Details please?

cheers, Paul

Ditto. Use Acronis for years.

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Long ago, I used Acronis True Image from Windows for Worksgroups 3.11 to all the way, I think, to Windows 95, 98, 98SE.  When backing up my two laptops, I had to purchase an external USB cooling assembly to lessen the temperature during backups and the occasional restore.  In all fairness, I continue using the cooling assemblies forever on both laptops.  I even have a 5″ AC-powered fan aimed at the left back corner of each laptop, also running forever.  By forever, I mean, when laptop is on, so are its designated fans.

"Take care of thy backups and thy restores shall take care of thee." Ben Franklin, revisted

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