4 ms·
Here are some options that I have experience with: - Time Machine with offline disks: Since Time Machine supports multiple backup destinations, you can use a T
by Sidnicious 9y ago
Here are some options that I have experience with:
- Time Machine with offline disks: Since Time Machine supports multiple backup destinations, you can use a Time Capsule or hard drive that's always connected to your Mac, and also have one or more additional hard drives which you connect periodically and otherwise leave in a drawer.
Pros: Free, built into macOS, can browse file versions directly from many apps.
Cons: Needs ongoing manual intervention (i.e. plugging in the offline drives). Some reliability issues… but I've experienced the most problems backing up to my own SMB/AFP shares, so a Time Capsule might be OK.
- Backblaze (https://www.backblaze.com/ https://www.backblaze.com/) or CrashPlan (https://www.crashplan.com/ https://www.crashplan.com/): Both of these online backup services have $5/month unlimited plans, and both let you specify your own encryption key (in the form of an additional password), which isn't shared with the backup provider. Note: In my experience, Backblaze's client is much lighter on system resources/battery on Mac.
Pros: Inexpensive, off-site storage, low-maintenance.
Cons: Ongoing cost, requires trust (In theory, the client software could be sharing the encryption key with the company/the NSA/your nemesis).
- Arq (https://www.arqbackup.com/ https://www.arqbackup.com/): Paid desktop software which can back up to many different destinations, including S3, Google Drive, or your own server via SFTP. You specify an encryption key for each destination.
Pros: Full control. Option to back up to another machine that you own (so no ongoing cost for hosting).
Cons: Up-front cost. Support is less straightforward than hosted solutions since Arq doesn't provide storage.
- tedmiston 9y agoAn unlisted con of Backblaze is that they delete all external drives if not plugged in for at least 6 consecutive hours every 30 days. It can be a huge pain if you travel regularly or otherwise don't want to leave your computer on all night.
- Baeocystin 9y agoIs this a new policy? Coincidentally I just restored something off a year-old backup from a dead machine's external drive, and it wasn't an issue. Maybe because the machine itself hasn't connected in a while?
- tedmiston 9y agoThe machine not connecting at all puts it in some kind of exempt from deletion state. They claim it is a six-month limit in their docs. Note the point about having all external drives connected for that first boot or their backups will be wiped out. Very easy to shoot yourself in the foot. https://help.backblaze.com/hc/en-us/articles/217664898-What-happens-to-my-backups-when-I-m-away-or-on-vacation-?mobile_site=true https://help.backblaze.com/hc/en-us/articles/217664898-What-...
- Baeocystin 9y agoI can see how that would be a footgun. Thanks for the heads up.