The External hard drive is like a magic boxe that can store lots of stuff from your computer.
Let’s explore the good and not-so-good about them!
Backup Obsessive Confesses:
Why I Trust My Files to a Fleet of External Hard Drives
As a self-proclaimed backup fanatic, I leave no digital stone unturned. I’m talking online backups, and then – for good measure – I duplicate those same files onto not one, not two, but four external hard drives.
My arsenal includes three trusty Toshiba External Hard Drives and one reliable Western Digital External Hard Drive. Why so many, you ask? Because when it comes to safeguarding my precious files, I don’t mess around.
And I have a nice little USB splitter with on/off buttons to run them all (to be reviewed another day)
Pros of External Hard Drives
- Extra Space: They give you more room to keep all your games, pictures, and videos.
- Backup Buddy: They can save your important files in case your computer breaks.
- Portable Power: You can carry them around easily and access your files anywhere.
Cons of External Hard Drives
- Cost Concerns: They can be expensive, so you need to think about your budget.
- Risk of Damage: If you drop them or they get wet, your files could be lost forever.
- Security Issues: If you lose it, someone else could access your private information.
Optimal Storage Size
Small Size (500GB – 1TB)
- Good for basic storage needs like documents, music, and photos.
- Not enough for big games or videos.
Medium Size (2TB – 4TB)
- Great for storing a mix of files, including games and movies.
- More space for future needs.
Large Size (6TB and above)
- Perfect for heavy users with lots of large files.
- Expensive but future-proof for a long time.
Remember, choose the size that fits your needs and budget best!
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The advantages of using an external hard drive:
1. Extra Storage Capacity: External hard drives offer a significant advantage in terms of storage capacity, providing vast storage space for files such as high-resolution images, music, and videos
2. Portability: They are designed to be small and lightweight, making them easy to carry around in a backpack or purse, allowing for offline access to data from multiple locations
3. Ease of Use: External hard drives are effortless to use. They can be easily connected to a computer via a USB port, and files can be dragged and dropped onto the drive just like any other folder on the computer
4. Backup Solution: External hard drives are a popular choice for backing up important files. Regularly backing up data to a branded external hard drive ensures that files are safe and easily recoverable in an emergency
5. Data Security: External hard drives can be used on someone else’s computer without risking the privacy of the host computer, as all data is stored on the external drive
6. Offline Access to Data: Unlike cloud storage solutions, external hard drives allow for offline access to data, as long as the drive has a power source
7. Preparedness: Having an external hard drive means being prepared for the worst before it happens, as it provides a backup of important files in case of a system or data failure
8. Scalability: External hard drives can be easily added to or replaced as needed, providing a scalable storage solution for growing data needs
9. Lowest Cost per GB: External hard drives offer the lowest cost per GB compared to other storage options, making them a cost-effective choice for data storage
10. No Ownership by Third Parties: Using an external hard drive means that you retain ownership over your data, as you are not giving any ownership to a third party like a cloud storage provider
There are several types of external hard drives available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages:
Hard Disk Drives (HDDs)
HDDs are the most common type of external hard drive. They use spinning disks to store data and can offer large storage capacities up to 24TB. HDDs are cost-effective for storing large amounts of data you don’t access frequently.
Solid-State Drives (SSDs)
SSDs are faster and more durable than HDDs, with no moving parts. They use flash memory chips to store data. SSDs offer capacities up to 4TB and are ideal for photo/video editing or other applications requiring fast data access. However, SSDs are more expensive per GB than HDDs.
Solid-State Hybrid Drives (SSHDs)
SSHDs combine the benefits of HDDs and SSDs. They use a traditional HDD with a small SSD cache to provide faster performance than a regular HDD. SSHDs offer capacities up to 14TB at a lower cost than an SSD of the same size.
Portable and Desktop Drives
External hard drives also come in portable and desktop varieties:
– Portable drives are compact, lightweight, and powered via USB, making them easy to carry around. They are more resistant to shock and vibration.
– Desktop drives are larger, heavier, and require a separate power supply. They offer the best value in terms of storage capacity per dollar.
Form Factors
External HDDs are available in the following form factors:
– 1.8″ – most compact, up to 1TB capacity
– 2.5″ – up to 5TB capacity
– 3.5″ – largest capacity up to 16TB, but require a power supply
Connectivity
External HDDs connect to computers via various interfaces:
– USB 1.0 to 4.0 – from 12 Mbit/s to 40 Gbit/s speeds
– Thunderbolt 1 to 4 – up to 40 Gbit/s speeds
– FireWire 400 or 800 – up to 400 or 800 Mbit/s
– eSATA – 150 or 300 Mbit/s
The choice of external drive depends on factors like storage needs, budget, performance requirements, and portability needs. Portable SSDs offer the best combination of speed, capacity and durability for on-the-go use
Best practices for backing up data to an external hard drive:
Use the 3-2-1 Backup Rule
– Create at least 3 copies of your data
– Store the copies on 2 different storage types (e.g. external HDD and cloud)
– Keep 1 copy offsite in case of disasters like fires or floods
Disconnect the Drive After Backup
– Don’t leave the external drive connected to the computer all the time
– Disconnect it after each backup to protect against malware and accidental deletion
Encrypt and Password Protect the Drive
– Enable encryption to secure your data in case the drive is lost or stolen
– Set a strong password to prevent unauthorized access
Rotate Between Multiple Drives
– Use a set of 2-3 external drives and rotate them offsite
– This provides an additional layer of protection if one drive fails
Test Restores Regularly
– Periodically test restoring data from the external drive to ensure backups are working
– Verify that you can successfully restore critical files
Consider Portable vs Desktop Drives
– Portable drives are compact and powered by USB, great for on-the-go
– Desktop drives offer higher capacities but require a power outlet
Choose the Right File Format
– Use a file format like FAT32 for compatibility across Windows and Mac
– NTFS is Windows-only but supports larger file sizes
By following these best practices, you can ensure your external hard drive backups are secure, reliable and easily recoverable when needed. Combining an external drive with cloud storage provides the most comprehensive protection.
Best ways to encrypt data on an external hard drive:
1. Using Built-In Encryption Tools: Many operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux offer built-in encryption tools such as BitLocker, FileVault, or LUKS. These tools allow you to encrypt the entire external hard drive, ensuring data security
2. Third-Party Encryption Software: Utilizing third-party encryption software like VeraCrypt or AESCrypt provides strong encryption options for securing data on external drives. These tools offer AES-256 encryption and can be used across different operating systems
3. Encrypting Data Files Separately: Encrypting individual files on the external hard drive with a password provides an effective way to protect data. This method ensures that each file is inaccessible without the correct decryption password, enhancing security against unauthorized access
4. Hardware-Encrypted Drives: Some external hard drives come with built-in hardware encryption capabilities. These drives require setting a strong password to protect the stored data. While easy to use, it’s essential to ensure these drives offer optimized data security and do not contain vulnerabilities
5. Rotating Encryption Methods: Employing a combination of encryption methods, such as encrypting the entire drive, encrypting files separately, using third-party software, or hardware-encrypted drives, can provide layered security for sensitive data on external drives
By implementing these encryption methods, you can safeguard your data on external hard drives from unauthorized access and potential security breaches.
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- Sleek profile design with a matte, smudge-resistance finish
- Plug & Play – Easy to use with no software to install
- Quickly add more storage capacity to your PC and other compatible devices
- USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatible with no external AC power cord needed
- Pre-formatted NTFS for Windows PC (reformatting required for Mac computers)
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- High capacity in a small enclosure – The small, lightweight design offers up to 6TB* capacity, making WD Elements portable hard drives the ideal companion for consumers on the go.
- Plug-and-play expandability
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)