[SOLVED] Important Files, OneDrive as only Backup?

[LABFE]

I have a new client that I am assisting with improving his technology setup. His primary device is a PC running Windows 10. He has all of his personal files and business files (which he calls "his life") in the OneDrive folder and synced to the cloud. My concern is the potential of a malware infection particularly involving crypto type infections modifying his files and then that syncing to his files in the cloud at OneDrive. I understand that with OneDrive you can only revert to previous versions of files for Microsoft Office files and not for other files types. He has many different file types. I'm looking for recommendations on what might be the best solution? I'm not too big on local backups due to issues such as user error and failed hdd's and the advantages of having the data stored in an elaborate data center over someone's home or office, but if this would be the best solution then that's the way I'll go. So what do you say, move him to a different cloud service such as Dropbox which can revert any file type, local external drive backup, maybe Carbonite, or do something else? For the client's sake I'd like to keep the solution as simple as possible and with the least amount of change from what he's used to.

 

[Markverhyden]

How much stuff does he have? Recovering 100's of GB's can take days or even weeks from a cloud service. How many apps? Have all of the disks and keys? These days doing full image backups and incrementals is so simple. Heck, Easeus even has a free version that does this automatically. And you can use a simple NAS as a destination. Of course you still want to have something offsite as well in case the place burns down, etc. Of course it costs a bit more but you can get a WD DX4000, Storage Server '08, which as an agent to do the backups.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

If you're doing "backup"...I also want a way to monitor, such as daily backup reports being e-mailed. so that when the "sync" does break, you (or someone) is notified...and can take action to restart the service.

 

[LABFE]

He's currently under 50GB on his OneDrive folder. Not many apps. I need to look at what his original OS is in case it it's Win 7 to make sure key is visible, but I'm pretty sure it was Win 8 and he's recently upgraded to Win 10. I think an EaseUS image backup to an external drive in addition to OneDrive could be a good optioin for him. This is a desktop PC at a home office so no portability involved. I'm also considering just using the "File History" backup feature in Win 10; anyone have much experience good or bad with File History? I see that once it's setup it backs up selected folders hourly without any user interaction. And does anyone know if files backed up to an external drive using File History would be more of a target of crypto malware than an image file?

 

[cypress]

I would go with a layered approach with this client especially if he states those files "are his life".

EaseUS image is a great start. I really like that software. But I would also recommend he look into something like Crashplan for under $10 a month. He can have both the images and also the cloud local backup going to his external. He also has access to it online.

 

[nlinecomputers]

You want layers with your backups. Onsite to NAS for convenience and speed and an online service in case of a catastrophe.

 

[SAFCasper]

Whether using an image or plain files... anything on a connected drive is at risk of crypto infections. New variants are released all the time so a file type that isn't targeted today could be a target next week.

Ideally you want 2 externals and swap them daily/weekly.... but I know what it's like relying on a client to do this >.>


Online backup of cloud services is something I was thinking about last week. Sure, you can use something like Carbonite but this means uploading everything twice. Once to OneDrive, then again to Carbonite. With slow uploads speeds this is a major PITA.

Say my files are already uploaded to OneDrive... isn't there something that can pull them directly from the OneDrive servers to another form of online storage? I've googled but found nothing like this.

 

[LABFE]

Thanks for the tips! I've spoken with the client again and he's in agreement with layered approach; we're looking to add an online backup service such as Carbonite or Crashplan during next appointment. I also liked the idea of backing up to two, weekly alternating external drives; but yea he's not very technical so the idea of that for him anyways was cumbersome.