Backing up to the Cloud with CrashPlan

Another quick update this time regarding data backups.

At home we run a Windows Home Server which centrally stores our data whilst backing up our computers. I do take periodic backups of the server using standard hard drives which I store offsite but I have been wanting to have a cloud backup solution as well to cover all bases.

Officially, Windows Home Server isn’t a supported operating system but you can still install it by following the guide at CrashPlan  – fairly simple installation except you remote desktop into your server to execute it.

Anyway, I have an absolute slew of data to backup and the time to back it up may actually exceed the thirty day trial period but I will see how it progresses over that period of time. Sure, I could fork out the $165 for a seed drive but as I already have a backup I am fairly comfortable with letting CrashPlan trickle up to the cloud.

I also like the fact that there are mobile apps for iOS, Android and Windows Phone 8 which covers pretty much all bases for smartphones plus they are compatible with the boosted encryption options (should you wish to protect your data from prying eyes whilst in transit and in storage on CrashPlan servers). It’s a fantastic implementation of “trusting no one” or the TNO principle. Your account password and encryption key (if you specify one) are salted and hashed before being stored on CrashPlan servers. Given that hashes are a one way algorithm your credentials are safe.

Anyway, I will give it a go and will probably spring for a subscription once the trial finishes but it’s a good idea to follow the 3-2-1 principle:

• three copies of your data,
• stored on two different types of media (hard drive, cloud, tape, etc),
• with one copy stored offsite.