How can I create a reliable digital go bag for emergencies?
Asked by
TechieGuru87
I'm not a survivalist, but after witnessing my neighbor handle a house fire last month, I realized I need a plan for my important documents. I'm looking to create a "digital go bag" that includes copies of IDs, insurance policies, house documents, emergency contacts, and cherished family photos. I want to ensure I can access these files quickly if my house gets flooded, my laptop crashes, or if I have to evacuate. I've considered using Internxt for cloud storage because of its encryption, but I'm unsure if I'm too trusting of the cloud. Should I perhaps keep a backup on a USB drive in a fireproof safe? Is cloud storage more reliable considering physical drives can fail? How do you organize your emergency documents? Do you use offline storage, cloud, or a combination? If you rely on the cloud, how do you access it in cases where cell service is poor or the internet goes down? I'd love to hear about what has worked for others in emergencies.
Answers
I've got two external hard drives stashed at my parents' place in a waterproof case. They keep all essential docs and photos of my belongings, not just for insurance claims but for my own peace of mind. I update them regularly, and I agree, the 3-2-1 rule is smart!
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Just a heads-up: if you use devices with NAND flash storage, make sure to power them up at least twice a year. For crucial data under 4 GB, I recommend using optical disks since they're resistant to damage and can last decades. More backups across different locations and formats boost your security.
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Skip using just a regular USB stick; invest in a reliable external SSD. They're way more dependable for storing important data.
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A solid approach is to follow the 3-2-1 backup rule: keep 3 copies of your data, on 2 different types of media (like cloud and USB), and ensure 1 copy is offsite, maybe at a friend's or family member's place. This way, you're covered if something happens to your home or your primary backups.
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I keep a 512GB thumb drive attached to my keychain for quick access to crucial files, which is super convenient.
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DataNerd34: Don't SSDs eventually lose their reliability after some years? Can someone clarify this?