[PLUG] Backups?

[John Jordan]

On 20 Jun 2005, at 22:46, Keith Lofstrom wrote:

> Are you concerned about the security of your backup machine?  Once the
> backup machine is compromised, everything you back up on it is
> compromised also.  You might think about a Linux-based backup server
> instead - or at least a Windoze machine with no inbound services, one
> that is never used for browsing or email (to name two common
> vulnerabilities).

I am concerned very little with the security of the backups. 
Remember, I am not backing up an organization with thousands of 
users and gigabytes of sensitive data. I am just protecting my own 
stuff from a hard disk failure. No one would be remotely interested 
in hacking into my home network. There is nothing here to interest 
them. Unless they wanted my latest term paper, that is. :)

And, as for the Windows 2000 computer, it is behind a router and 
has a firewall (Sygate). Looking at Sygate's logs, in the past 
couple of years since installing Sygate, nothing has gotten past it. 
I am absolutely positive that there are people, even on this e-list, 
who would be capable of getting into my computer. But life is a 
series of risk calculations. This is one I am not concerned about.

The Windows computer does not have anything from Microsoft 
installed other than Windows 2000. Even then, Internet Explorer is 
blocked from the internet on the Sygate firewall. Outlook and Office 
are not installed. I uses Pegasus for mail, and I definitely know 
better than to click on an attachment. I have been using this 
Windows 2000 computer connected via Comcast cable for the past 
3.5 years. It has never had a virus, worm, or any other malware.

So basically, I am not concerned about security in keeping the 
backups on an eternal USB disk connected to the Windows 2000 
computer. I think I am in much greater risk of being run over by a 
bus on my way to the grocery store. :)