Hey everyone! I'm trying to declutter my home by scanning some important documents like insurance papers, salary statements, and doctor reports. While these aren't the most critical documents, I do want to ensure they're stored safely. I'm considering using multiple drives for redundancy, but I know SSDs aren't the best for long-term storage since they can lose data if not used for a while. I'm leaning towards using an external HDD, but I'm open to suggestions for other storage solutions that might be better. Also, I prefer to avoid cloud storage for privacy reasons. Any tips? Thanks!
2 Answers
For safe long-term offline storage, a good quality external HDD is the way to go. Just make sure to keep it in a cool, dry spot, and power it on every few months to prevent data issues. Encrypt it with tools like BitLocker or VeraCrypt for extra security. And to make sure you're covered, use two separate HDDs and keep one stored off-site. SSDs aren’t ideal for cold storage since they risk data loss if left unused, so stick with HDDs for this purpose.
If you're serious about backups, aim for the 3-2-1 rule: have 3 copies of your data, on 2 different types of media, with 1 copy off-site. So you could back up your home computer to an external HDD and also save that data in the cloud if you're comfortable with it. If not, I suggest keeping multiple external drives and periodically update the backup at a relative's or in a safety deposit box. Just remember, all storage can fail over time, so regularly check on them to ensure everything's still good.
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