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Always, always create a backup. Or three. I carry a backup with me strapped to my wrist. It is a cheap digital watch with a strap modified to securely hold a

Always, always create a backup. Or three. I carry a backup with me strapped to my wrist. It is a cheap digital watch with a strap modified to securely hold a microSD card with all my really important, must have data ---encrypted with Bitlocker. This data is as safe as I am. I leave a copy of this card in a fireproof safe at home. A trusted family member has the combination. A friend has the Bitlocker decrypt key. My will brings these two people together to obtain access to the data in case of my demise. Twice a month, I swap the two cards and update the one I will carry with only the changed info using a xcopy batch script. My Android phone also has my 2FA keys using FreeOTP+ with an access code and backup capability. I keep the backup from FreeOTP+ on the memory cards along with a little Windows CLI utility of my own making that can read this backup and generate 2FA codes as needed. I'm fairly confident I won't ever be totally locked out of my accounts. If you are locked out without a backup, your only realistic option is to contact each service provider and follow their instructions.

jareklupinski 4y ago
thanks for the details! I do something simmilar with three flash drives, but wondering if it's overkill curious, how long have your microsd cards been working for, and have you experienced any bit-rot / bad blocks yet?
- jqpabc123 4y ago
  I have had minimal issues with SD cards but I always buy name brand --- and I have 2 copies just in case. Plus, the working data is also stored on my in-house network. The first thing I do with any new memory card is reformat it. Many (if not most) cheapo, off brand, Chinese cards won't even format properly. Either the stated capacity is being faked outright or the card was a factory reject with bad blocks that shouldn't have been sold. Do not buy --- end of story. In any case, my xcopy update script will totally rebuild the backup from network source if I decide to replace one of the cards with a new empty one. I replace at the first sign of trouble but this has only occurred every few years.
TurkishPoptart 4y ago
can you share the strap design to hold the microSD? how do you decrypt it when accessing it? very cool!
- jqpabc123 4y ago
  Bitlocker is transparent drive encryption built into MS Windows. Insert a microSD card into a USB port (using a card reader) and Windows will prompt for the decrypt key if encryption has been applied. Once the correct key is provided, the drive can be accessed just like any other. As for the strap, the card holder is a 3-D printed extension inserted inline with it. I'll try to upload a photo someplace and post a link to it.
- jqpabc123 4y ago
  Here is a link to a composite photo on shutterfly. https://link.shutterfly.com/isWBFWNm0xb https://link.shutterfly.com/isWBFWNm0xb This shows two views --- the normal outside and inside/back with a microSD card partially inserted. The card latches in place using the notch built into every microSD card. I've toyed with the idea of selling this completely assembled as a "data watch" for say $30 as a practical geek toy --- but there probably isn't enough demand to justify the effort.

jareklupinski 4y ago

thanks for the details! I do something simmilar with three flash drives, but wondering if it's overkill curious, how long have your microsd cards been working for, and have you experienced any bit-rot / bad blocks yet?

jqpabc123 4y ago
I have had minimal issues with SD cards but I always buy name brand --- and I have 2 copies just in case. Plus, the working data is also stored on my in-house network. The first thing I do with any new memory card is reformat it. Many (if not most) cheapo, off brand, Chinese cards won't even format properly. Either the stated capacity is being faked outright or the card was a factory reject with bad blocks that shouldn't have been sold. Do not buy --- end of story. In any case, my xcopy update script will totally rebuild the backup from network source if I decide to replace one of the cards with a new empty one. I replace at the first sign of trouble but this has only occurred every few years.

TurkishPoptart 4y ago

can you share the strap design to hold the microSD? how do you decrypt it when accessing it? very cool!

jqpabc123 4y ago
Bitlocker is transparent drive encryption built into MS Windows. Insert a microSD card into a USB port (using a card reader) and Windows will prompt for the decrypt key if encryption has been applied. Once the correct key is provided, the drive can be accessed just like any other. As for the strap, the card holder is a 3-D printed extension inserted inline with it. I'll try to upload a photo someplace and post a link to it.
jqpabc123 4y ago
Here is a link to a composite photo on shutterfly. https://link.shutterfly.com/isWBFWNm0xb https://link.shutterfly.com/isWBFWNm0xb This shows two views --- the normal outside and inside/back with a microSD card partially inserted. The card latches in place using the notch built into every microSD card. I've toyed with the idea of selling this completely assembled as a "data watch" for say $30 as a practical geek toy --- but there probably isn't enough demand to justify the effort.