Backups are boring, but the alternative — losing your data — is the kind of excitement no one wants. This repository contains a checklist, documents, and scripts for a professional and comfortable local backup of your data.
- Read the documents first to plan your personal backup strategy.
- Required are one or more harddisks ("backup disks") with enough capacity to hold your data.
- Take the backup disks and write/print the disk size and a unique name onto them (e.g. "4TB MEDIA BACKUP #1"), then connect them with the computer and rename the disks using the same name.
- Download this repo (see green button, then 'Download ZIP') and unzip and rename it as top folder 📁Backups4U onto each backup disk.
- Connect your mobile devices to the PC and copy photos into the Pictures folder, documents into the Documents folder, and so on.
- Connect the next backup disk to the PC and open the top folder 📁Backups4U and then 📁scripts.
- Execute the appropriate scripts one by one, e.g. 📄back_up_Pictures.bat which copies the content of the 📁Pictures folder into the folder 📁Backup_of_Pictures on the backup disk.
- Disconnect the backup disk and store it in a separate and secure location.
- Get the backup disk with the latest backup - in case it's damaged read the documents, please.
- Connect the disk with the computer and open the top folder 📁Backups4U and then e.g. 📁Backup_of_Pictures.
- Manually copy (=overwrite files) or sync (=overwrite folder content) the missing or corrupted data back to the computer (but DO NOT move the data).
- Disconnect the disk and store it in the separate and secure location again.
- At first a full backup is made (slow for big data) but then only changed files or folders are copied (way faster).
- Recommended is the 3-2-1 rule: Keep 3 copies of any important file (1 primary and 2 backups). Keep the files on 2 different media types to protect against different types of hazards. Store 1 copy offsite (e.g., outside your home or business facility). One of these copies should be stored offline to protect against ransomware attacks.
- No encryption is performed to keep it simple and robust! Use an encryption program and a vault to protect your backups against unauthorized physical access.
- Test your backups regularly to ensure that they are working properly. Restore your backups to a test environment and check that all of your data can be accessed as expected.
- Feedback is welcome! Create a pull request or send your email feedback to: markus.fleschutz [at] gmail.com
- DISCLAIMER: All informations are given according to my best knowledge, but without guarantee.
This open source project is licensed under the CC0-1.0 license. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.