Backups

##Threats Backups can be a life saver. If your device is ever lost, stolen, corrupted, or compromised in any way you can quickly revert to a backup. However, depending on your backup methodology you can expose yourself to additional risk by opening your backups to compromise.

##Solutions ###Option 1 Remote backups built into your OS such as Apple iCloud or Microsoft OneDrive are often the easiest way to backup your computer and data; however, they can also be the most vulnerable. Consider the recent iCloud incident where nude celebrity images were stolen from Apple iCloud.

###Option 2 If the data is sensitive in nature, all backups should be stored fully encrypted, either locally or remotely. For local backups, an encrypted external hard drive can be used specifically for the purpose of storing backups. However, you run the risk of losing your local device. For remote backups, data should be encrypted before uploading to third party servers and not relying on the third party to handle the encryption.

##Best Practices

• Fully encrypt any backups with a strong Passphrase.
• Store sensitive backups locally on an external drive that only you have access to.
• Encrypt data locally before storing it remotely.
• Test your backup system periodically to ensure that they work.
• Where possible, backup your full system configuration in addition to all of your data.
• Windows system restore is often not sufficient for backup purposes as malware often attempts to wipe it and if the hard drive fails the backups are lost.