Comments on: How is that false sense of security working for you? http://unclutterer.com/2008/04/10/how-is-that-false-sense-of-security-working-for-you/ Daily tips on how to organize your home and office. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:48:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: David http://unclutterer.com/2008/04/10/how-is-that-false-sense-of-security-working-for-you/#comment-11129 David Fri, 18 Apr 2008 04:10:45 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1162#comment-11129 I'd like to know more about fire ratings and digital media. The ratings I'm looking at are for 1800 degrees--for one or more hours, and with all six sides of the enclosure exposed. I don't know about your house, but my house doesn't have enough material to fuel a marshmallow roast for two hours, let alone sustain 1800 degrees for any length of time. I understand being paranoid, and better safe than sorry, but isn't putting your USB drive in a waterproof case (Pelican, for example) in a 2 hour firesafe, bolted to the concrete slab in your basement reasonable protection? What kind of fire would be required to subject the floor of a basement to the kind of heat that would damage a drive inside a normal firesafe? From UL: http://www.ul.com/fire/safes.html The 125 rating is for 'flexible computer disks' which I read as floppies. 150 is the rating for magnetic tape. I'm guessing the UL hasn't updated the spec in a while, if they're still rating floppies--so they probably don't have a rating for external drives? I’d like to know more about fire ratings and digital media. The ratings I’m looking at are for 1800 degrees–for one or more hours, and with all six sides of the enclosure exposed. I don’t know about your house, but my house doesn’t have enough material to fuel a marshmallow roast for two hours, let alone sustain 1800 degrees for any length of time.
I understand being paranoid, and better safe than sorry, but isn’t putting your USB drive in a waterproof case (Pelican, for example) in a 2 hour firesafe, bolted to the concrete slab in your basement reasonable protection? What kind of fire would be required to subject the floor of a basement to the kind of heat that would damage a drive inside a normal firesafe?

From UL:
http://www.ul.com/fire/safes.html
The 125 rating is for ‘flexible computer disks’ which I read as floppies. 150 is the rating for magnetic tape. I’m guessing the UL hasn’t updated the spec in a while, if they’re still rating floppies–so they probably don’t have a rating for external drives?

]]> By: Emma http://unclutterer.com/2008/04/10/how-is-that-false-sense-of-security-working-for-you/#comment-10948 Emma Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:55:02 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1162#comment-10948 I take a huge amount of photos, these are stored on an external networked drive at home. I think there's about 130GB of stuff on there at the moment. A few months ago we gave an old hard drive to my Mum and Dad with the condition they kept all my old pics safe. Reading this I get the feeling that data needs updating. Photos of my son couldn't be replaced in case of a fire. I must get onto that. I take a huge amount of photos, these are stored on an external networked drive at home. I think there’s about 130GB of stuff on there at the moment.

A few months ago we gave an old hard drive to my Mum and Dad with the condition they kept all my old pics safe. Reading this I get the feeling that data needs updating. Photos of my son couldn’t be replaced in case of a fire. I must get onto that.

]]> By: Mark - Productivity501 http://unclutterer.com/2008/04/10/how-is-that-false-sense-of-security-working-for-you/#comment-10887 Mark - Productivity501 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:29:22 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1162#comment-10887 JungleDisk is an online backup tool that runs on Amazon's S3 service. It is a bit on the technical side to setup, but you can back up very large amounts of data without a lot of expense. I keep a copy of my really important files on a DVD in the bank lockbox. It only gets updated a couple times each year, but it gives me one other option if data is lost. JungleDisk is an online backup tool that runs on Amazon’s S3 service. It is a bit on the technical side to setup, but you can back up very large amounts of data without a lot of expense.

I keep a copy of my really important files on a DVD in the bank lockbox. It only gets updated a couple times each year, but it gives me one other option if data is lost.

]]> By: Louisa http://unclutterer.com/2008/04/10/how-is-that-false-sense-of-security-working-for-you/#comment-10843 Louisa Sat, 12 Apr 2008 06:08:54 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1162#comment-10843 I absolutely love Mozy for online backup service! Sooooo cheap (free in some cases, like mine!) and great customer service. I absolutely love Mozy for online backup service! Sooooo cheap (free in some cases, like mine!) and great customer service.

]]> By: Fazal Majid http://unclutterer.com/2008/04/10/how-is-that-false-sense-of-security-working-for-you/#comment-10842 Fazal Majid Sat, 12 Apr 2008 05:43:23 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1162#comment-10842 @Sara: Sentry and Maxtor have come up with a fireproof safe with a built-in drive: http://www.ohgizmo.com/2007/11/16/maxtor-teams-with-sentry-group-for-fire-resistant-hard-drives/ @Sara: Sentry and Maxtor have come up with a fireproof safe with a built-in drive:
http://www.ohgizmo.com/2007/11.....rd-drives/

]]> By: Michael http://unclutterer.com/2008/04/10/how-is-that-false-sense-of-security-working-for-you/#comment-10832 Michael Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:16:25 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1162#comment-10832 I don't really trust my bits to them thar online interwebs. Seems like an easy target for 1337 haX0rs or incompetent employees (like when you read about 1000's of personal records get stolen because some company employee had their laptop stolen, etc.). Call me old fashioned, but I'll be keeping my hard drive safe under my mattress. I don’t really trust my bits to them thar online interwebs. Seems like an easy target for 1337 haX0rs or incompetent employees (like when you read about 1000’s of personal records get stolen because some company employee had their laptop stolen, etc.).

Call me old fashioned, but I’ll be keeping my hard drive safe under my mattress.

]]> By: Mary Anne http://unclutterer.com/2008/04/10/how-is-that-false-sense-of-security-working-for-you/#comment-10823 Mary Anne Fri, 11 Apr 2008 18:13:12 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1162#comment-10823 I could not agree more with the importance of this ... 11 months ago, an error made by a city employee resulted in several thousand gallons of water flooding every inch of my home. My computer and external USB hard drive didn't get wet, but the water was high enough that the dangling power cords shorted out, and it was touch and go whether I'd be able to get anything off the devices. Even in the face of all the massive repairs I was facing, one of the most upsetting things was that every picture I'd taken over the previous year was on the external hard drive and was NOT backed up since I didn't have a working CD burner. Fortunately, when I purchased new power cords, the computer and hard drive themselves were functional, but it was a real eye-opener. Carpet and furniture can be replaced, but pictures from my one-one-one trip with my 6-year old niece can't. I could not agree more with the importance of this … 11 months ago, an error made by a city employee resulted in several thousand gallons of water flooding every inch of my home. My computer and external USB hard drive didn’t get wet, but the water was high enough that the dangling power cords shorted out, and it was touch and go whether I’d be able to get anything off the devices. Even in the face of all the massive repairs I was facing, one of the most upsetting things was that every picture I’d taken over the previous year was on the external hard drive and was NOT backed up since I didn’t have a working CD burner. Fortunately, when I purchased new power cords, the computer and hard drive themselves were functional, but it was a real eye-opener. Carpet and furniture can be replaced, but pictures from my one-one-one trip with my 6-year old niece can’t.

]]> By: Erin Doland http://unclutterer.com/2008/04/10/how-is-that-false-sense-of-security-working-for-you/#comment-10806 Erin Doland Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:01:52 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1162#comment-10806 @Sara -- Fireproof boxes won't protect your data storage unless they have a UL rating of 125 for digital media. Starting prices for small safes at this rating are usually in the thousands. Check out this post for more information on this subject: http://unclutterer.com/2007/08/24/reader-question-fireproof-storage-part-two/ @Sara — Fireproof boxes won’t protect your data storage unless they have a UL rating of 125 for digital media. Starting prices for small safes at this rating are usually in the thousands. Check out this post for more information on this subject:

http://unclutterer.com/2007/08.....-part-two/

]]> By: Sara http://unclutterer.com/2008/04/10/how-is-that-false-sense-of-security-working-for-you/#comment-10804 Sara Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:57:01 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1162#comment-10804 Couldn't you just put your back up in a fire/flood-proof box, like the one where you (well at least I) keep important stuff like family records and jewlery? Couldn’t you just put your back up in a fire/flood-proof box, like the one where you (well at least I) keep important stuff like family records and jewlery?

]]> By: sue b http://unclutterer.com/2008/04/10/how-is-that-false-sense-of-security-working-for-you/#comment-10772 sue b Fri, 11 Apr 2008 06:11:13 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1162#comment-10772 Actually, the easiest (and cheapest) method is still burning all your data off to DVD's and mailing or carrying them to a friend's or relative's home. Everytime I fly home to my mom and dad's I make a DVD of all the data and take it with me. Mom knows where I keep it and with US post office express mail for $15 bucks I can have it back in my hands in 48 hours (this is the earthquake, tornado scenario.) I always end up needing some files or photos on the road anyway. Or you can swap disaster DVD kits with a local friend for the house fire, burglery concern. You are going to ask somebody to watch your place when you take a trip, ask them to watch your data. And return the favor. Actually, the easiest (and cheapest) method is still burning all your data off to DVD’s and mailing or carrying them to a friend’s or relative’s home. Everytime I fly home to my mom and dad’s I make a DVD of all the data and take it with me. Mom knows where I keep it and with US post office express mail for $15 bucks I can have it back in my hands in 48 hours (this is the earthquake, tornado scenario.) I always end up needing some files or photos on the road anyway. Or you can swap disaster DVD kits with a local friend for the house fire, burglery concern. You are going to ask somebody to watch your place when you take a trip, ask them to watch your data. And return the favor.

]]> By: dizawndra http://unclutterer.com/2008/04/10/how-is-that-false-sense-of-security-working-for-you/#comment-10769 dizawndra Fri, 11 Apr 2008 02:40:33 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1162#comment-10769 I dunno, in a fire, I might say that I have bigger worries than where my clients documents are. But yes, offsite storage seems like a good idea. How burying the external back ups in the backyard? (bubble wrapped of course) I dunno, in a fire, I might say that I have bigger worries than where my clients documents are. But yes, offsite storage seems like a good idea. How burying the external back ups in the backyard? (bubble wrapped of course)

]]> By: Fazal Majid http://unclutterer.com/2008/04/10/how-is-that-false-sense-of-security-working-for-you/#comment-10767 Fazal Majid Fri, 11 Apr 2008 02:37:56 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1162#comment-10767 The problem with USB-SATA cables is that the drive does not get proper cooling, and will likely overheat and malfunction if you are backing up serious amounts of data. I would recommend instead the D-Link DNS-323 NAS, that can take up to 2 SATA drives. If you know a thing or two about Linux, you can download Fun-Plug and extend it to do incremental network backups to an offsite sibling using rsync while you are sleeping. I documented my own scheme, which goes a few steps beyond because I am paranoid and can afford it: http://www.majid.info/mylos/weblog/2008/04/10-1.html The problem with USB-SATA cables is that the drive does not get proper cooling, and will likely overheat and malfunction if you are backing up serious amounts of data.

I would recommend instead the D-Link DNS-323 NAS, that can take up to 2 SATA drives. If you know a thing or two about Linux, you can download Fun-Plug and extend it to do incremental network backups to an offsite sibling using rsync while you are sleeping.

I documented my own scheme, which goes a few steps beyond because I am paranoid and can afford it:
http://www.majid.info/mylos/we...../10-1.html

]]> By: spaceboyzoom http://unclutterer.com/2008/04/10/how-is-that-false-sense-of-security-working-for-you/#comment-10766 spaceboyzoom Fri, 11 Apr 2008 01:26:14 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1162#comment-10766 The lower end external drive is significantly cheaper than the one linked in the original post. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XRK3LG/ref=dp_cp_ob_title_1 The lower end external drive is significantly cheaper than the one linked in the original post.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ.....ob_title_1

]]> By: Arf http://unclutterer.com/2008/04/10/how-is-that-false-sense-of-security-working-for-you/#comment-10762 Arf Thu, 10 Apr 2008 23:56:19 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1162#comment-10762 <a href="https://mozy.com/home" rel="nofollow">Mozy</a> is fantastic. All files are encrypted and can be accessed anywhere, and you can store up to 2GB for free. It also lets you go back up to 30 days and retrieve old or deleted files. It's much less cluttered than any kind of hard drive, too! Mozy is fantastic. All files are encrypted and can be accessed anywhere, and you can store up to 2GB for free. It also lets you go back up to 30 days and retrieve old or deleted files.

It’s much less cluttered than any kind of hard drive, too!

]]> By: Dennis Newel http://unclutterer.com/2008/04/10/how-is-that-false-sense-of-security-working-for-you/#comment-10755 Dennis Newel Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:58:23 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1162#comment-10755 I also think online backup is the way to go. With services like http://www.sugarsync.com/, http://crashplan.com/ or the hundreds of other services out there, it's both easy and simple, and faster to get to than a safe deposit box :) I considered crashplan a great deal, and almost went with it, until I saw the synchronization available in sugarsync. So far I haven't had time to buy and install, but I'm sure I'll go with sugarsync. And no, I have no commercial interest in either...just think they look like cool products. I also think online backup is the way to go. With services like http://www.sugarsync.com/, http://crashplan.com/ or the hundreds of other services out there, it’s both easy and simple, and faster to get to than a safe deposit box :)
I considered crashplan a great deal, and almost went with it, until I saw the synchronization available in sugarsync.
So far I haven’t had time to buy and install, but I’m sure I’ll go with sugarsync.
And no, I have no commercial interest in either…just think they look like cool products.

]]> By: Chris Blackwell http://unclutterer.com/2008/04/10/how-is-that-false-sense-of-security-working-for-you/#comment-10750 Chris Blackwell Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:46:07 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1162#comment-10750 I have been using Mozy and Carbonite for over a year now and just love it. I wrote about <a href="http://chrisblackwell.org/security/backup-your-data-online-its-easy/" rel="nofollow">backing up online</a> a couple of months ago and I still think it's the way to go. Also, I bought the "time capsule" as a SECONDARY BACKUP. If you don't have at least two backups of something, it's not really important. I have been using Mozy and Carbonite for over a year now and just love it. I wrote about backing up online a couple of months ago and I still think it’s the way to go. Also, I bought the “time capsule” as a SECONDARY BACKUP. If you don’t have at least two backups of something, it’s not really important.

]]> By: MikeH http://unclutterer.com/2008/04/10/how-is-that-false-sense-of-security-working-for-you/#comment-10749 MikeH Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:43:05 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1162#comment-10749 This might be an alternative to the USB-to-SATA adapter solution--it resembles an iPod dock, but it's for internal hard drives: <a href="http://www.oncomp.com/mar08-2.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.oncomp.com/mar08-2.htm </a> This might be an alternative to the USB-to-SATA adapter solution–it resembles an iPod dock, but it’s for internal hard drives: http://www.oncomp.com/mar08-2.htm

]]> By: Kristi http://unclutterer.com/2008/04/10/how-is-that-false-sense-of-security-working-for-you/#comment-10748 Kristi Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:20:32 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1162#comment-10748 My offsite backup solution is to use FolderShare to sync my files between my home computer and my office computer. Whenever they are both online at the same time they will sync up. Super easy and free. My offsite backup solution is to use FolderShare to sync my files between my home computer and my office computer. Whenever they are both online at the same time they will sync up. Super easy and free.

]]> By: PJ Doland http://unclutterer.com/2008/04/10/how-is-that-false-sense-of-security-working-for-you/#comment-10745 PJ Doland Thu, 10 Apr 2008 20:22:32 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1162#comment-10745 The external enclosures just take up a lot more space in safe-deposit boxes (which are usually priced by size). The external enclosures just take up a lot more space in safe-deposit boxes (which are usually priced by size).

]]> By: Patrick http://unclutterer.com/2008/04/10/how-is-that-false-sense-of-security-working-for-you/#comment-10741 Patrick Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:55:14 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/?p=1162#comment-10741 Offsite backup's are a must, no denying that. However external data enclosures are pretty inexpensive useally around ~30USD + Drive cost for a decent one, and you don't need to worry about finding that place to put the drive while you are attaching the USB/Sata connector and using said drive with out a case. Getting two of them to rotate out is best, if you go weekly it's not so bad =D I take mine to the office, I go nearly every day and it's easy =D Offsite backup’s are a must, no denying that.
However external data enclosures are pretty inexpensive useally around ~30USD + Drive cost for a decent one, and you don’t need to worry about finding that place to put the drive while you are attaching the USB/Sata connector and using said drive with out a case.

Getting two of them to rotate out is best, if you go weekly it’s not so bad =D

I take mine to the office, I go nearly every day and it’s easy =D

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