Physical Security

[elchorizo]

This might be the wrong forum for this, since it’s not really about hard disks. Mod, feel free to move if necessary.

The last couple years I've become a bit of a freak about my data integrity and security. Over the last 5-10 years I've had at least 4 hard drive failures on my various personal machines. I've lost data that I can never get back (photos etc..) and lots of data that I can get back but it would be a hassle (I've ripped most of my CD/DVD collection).

Recently, I learned of Windows home server and I've set that up and am enjoying its benefits. I now feel my data is safe from drive failure. However, I've started worrying about other issues now, like a natural disaster/fire or theft. I live in a relatively cheap apartment in an ok, but not great, neighborhood. Since I'm into technology and computers (I'm a software engineer) I have several desktops and laptops in my house and I'm concerned about what would happen if they get stolen.

I have a lot of data that I wouldn't want to try to replace (the rips I mentioned earlier) and lots of data that I cant replace (pictures, video, etc...). Also, as you might expect, I have a lot of personal business data on my system. Theft could be devastating in this case.

So, I've been thinking a lot lately about ways to secure my data further, while still maintaining the convenience of the way my system is setup now (everything on the WHS and desktops/laptops are essentially terminals). I've considered getting a portable hard disk and once a month or so backing up all my stuff that I can’t replace and storing this disk offsite, perhaps at a friend’s house, or in a safety deposit box. I think I could do this but it would be a hassle, and I don’t know if I would stick to it long term. But even if I did, this only solves the problem of the irreplaceable data, what about the hard-to-replace, or private data? Maybe there is some way to easily encrypt the private data so I have to enter a password every time I open the file or something?

I guess one option is to store my data online somewhere, but I would need a lot of space. I shoot with a DSLR so I have several gigs of photos and quite a bit of video as well. I HATE the idea of having my data online though. I'm a bit of a privacy nut and I'd worry about my data being outside my control like that. Can I be convinced of its safety and reliability? I dunno.

One option is to just not worry about it. The chance of theft or natural disaster is very low. Makes me wonder if I'm seeing a problem where there isn't one.

Have any of you thought of these things? What steps have you taken to solve these problems? Do you have any suggestions for me?

Thanks guys!

 

[nitrobass24]

1) move to better neighborhood, cant really do much about getting your stuff stolen if you live in a shitty place.
2) Truecrypt
3) Store Data online, Mozy or get USB HDDs and rotate offsite

 

[novadude]

To add to the above:
Large, very heavy fire safe bolted to the floor for on site storage
Offsite storage in say a bank vault, just make sure the bank isn't near a flood zone.

 

[extide]

Full disk encryption with off site backups sounds like your best bet.

 

[Pocatello]

Have you investigated whether a seed box would work for you?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seedbox

Seed boxes are not just for torrenting. You could store your most important stuff there.

Here is one, just for an example:

http://www.xirvik.com/

 

[criccio]

I set up a free Mozy account for my dad, but his important data (documents) is under the 2GB limit for the free account. If you need more space, go Mozy Pro.

 

[soulesschild]

I set up a free Mozy account for my dad, but his important data (documents) is under the 2GB limit for the free account. If you need more space, go Mozy Pro.

Dropbox is also nice.

I've never heard of Mozy but it looks like the same concept but cheaper....

 

[criccio]

Dropbox is also nice.

I actually used Dropbox but I just recently moved to Windows Live Mesh. More space (5GB) and MUCH more control over what folders are synced.

The reason I set my dad up with Moxy instead of Dropbox is he doesn't have more than one computer to need the syncing feature, and Moxy's main pull is their security which was a must for him.

If you are looking for mainly an off-site online backup, I would go with Mozy (Pro), but Dropbox/Live Mesh are nice if you want to keep data synced between machines.

 

[soulesschild]

I actually used Dropbox but I just recently moved to Windows Live Mesh. More space (5GB) and MUCH more control over what folders are synced.

The reason I set my dad up with Moxy instead of Dropbox is he doesn't have more than one computer to need the syncing feature, and Moxy's main pull is their security which was a must for him.

If you are looking for mainly an off-site online backup, I would go with Mozy (Pro), but Dropbox/Live Mesh are nice if you want to keep data synced between machines.

Nice! Thanks for pointing that out. So Mozy can't be used across computers? Bummer Mesh looks good though.