"TIP" from an old security enthusiast

[illumination]

Focus on learning safer surfing habits and regular back ups. Utilize your security as a "just in case", no need to over complicate things.

It is not a difficult thing, to go to a store, and pick up a flashdrive, go home and plug it in to your system, go to file explorer, open it, and from one folder to the next, transfer the contents. This can be done for example, by right clicking in the flashdrive and creating a new folder, named for each of you folders, then going back into file explorer, opening Pictures folder, clicking once on the first picture then clicking "control + A" to select all contents of the folder & clicking "control + C" to copy then clicking inside the flashdrive and clicking "control + V" to paste it all. You now have a copy of all your pictures, do this with each folder such as your Videos and Documents ect.

As well as doing this, hunt down the licenses for your software you keep and maintain on your system, you can even download "after vetting" their installers and place them in a folder on the flashdrive. You now have everything backed up in case of emergency. If something happens, and your forced to reformat/reset as corruption may be extensive, you have lost nothing, as you have it all on one external device.

I go as far as keeping a portable copy of keepass password manager on mine, as the flashdrive is portable and accessable from any device.

This above, is the most important part, backing up is more improtant then any amount of security. Learning to be safer, is as well, as you will find if you do both, and place what ever security on your system, you more then likely will never hear a peep out of it, except when it needs to update/upgrade. Of course, that latter part of my last sentence depends again on your habits, if you download cracks/keygens, and visit shady sites, then of course your going to see action and issues.

As i have stated before, i have used many different security solutions in the last 6 years, and they all have one thing in common... No infections..

Personally, i like being able to enjoy my system, and spend less time with maintenance and security then i have too. Many here over complicate this, and spend most of their time tweaking or uninstalling/installing every 2 weeks something new.

I would like to iterate that as most of us here are consumers/home users, the chances of seeing the attacks and malware that corporations/businesses see, well, its quite slim, and even so, if your backed up, you have lost nothing but time to disinfect or reset/wipe your system.

 

[Deleted member 65228]

I'd like to add that it would be wise to uninstall outdated or no-longer-required software to reduce the attack vector, as well as of course keeping your OS up-to-date with security updates.

If a program you're relying on stops issuing security updates, that's a red flag that should be addressed. Alternatively, if a vendor releases an update to improve security and you're using the software package, then update. It's okay to hold off on Windows Updates every now and then for a few days/around 2 weeks or so because sometimes they can lead to systems becoming bricked, but waiting too long is a bad idea.

I agree with @PathFinder, I always ensure I have my work backed up externally. It really does work wonders, and you can get a decent 1TB external hard drive for not much which will last an extremely long time and do the job.

It's effortless to back up important documents, you don't even necessarily need a large external HDD, you could use a cheap USB if it is a sufficient capacity size. OP's advice really is good, listening to him/her would be wise.

Many people do not bother to make a backup and if they ever get hit with a malware variant which messes with their documents, it'll cause a lot of problems. Be safe not sorry.

 

[Arequire]

Another thing to think about is physical threats to your backups: Theft, fire and device failure are the main three I can think of. Never hurts to store your most important data - stuff that would deeply affect you if lost - on multiple storage devices and keep at least one those devices in a fireproof chest or safe.

 

[Deleted member 65228]

Another thing to think about is physical threats to your backups: Theft, fire and device failure are the main three I can think of. Never hurts to store your most important data - stuff that would deeply affect you if lost - on multiple storage devices and keep at least one those devices in a fireproof chest or safe.

And cloud storage with at-least a minimum of strong password protected archives (because most cloud storage services will be intrusive for various reasons).

 

[illumination]

I will add, if you really want to simplify things, once you have copied all your personal items you need to the flash drive, you can remove/delete the originals from the system, thus keeping the system light and fast, as well as minimizing your attack surface. You can then access them from the portable drive at any time needed. Another step in minimizing your attack surface is to not have too many programs/applications, use only what you absolutely need. The less 3rd party applications you have, the smaller your attack surface, and the better your machine will run.

 

[Electr0n]

Use Belarc Advisor to find out the license keys of the softwares installed on your computer.

 

[askmark]

This can be done for example, by right clicking in the flashdrive and creating a new folder, named for each of you folders, then going back into file explorer, opening Pictures folder, clicking once on the first picture then clicking "control + A" to select all contents of the folder & clicking "control + C" to copy then clicking inside the flashdrive and clicking "control + Z" to paste it all. You now have a copy of all your pictures, do this with each folder such as your Videos and Documents ect.

Great advice for novice computer users, but I think you meant Control + V to paste, as Control + Z is to undo.

 

[illumination]

Great advice for novice computer users, but I think you meant Control + V to paste, as Control + Z is to undo.

Thank you for catching that, was tired when i wrote that post last night, it is fixed now. As for average users and novices, this was the targeted audience, but also applies to all.

 

[In2an3_PpG]

And cloud storage with at-least a minimum of strong password protected archives (because most cloud storage services will be intrusive for various reasons).

For that i would recommend Why your privacy matters | Sync for true zero knowledge cloud storage.

 

[Deleted member 65228]

For that i would recommend Why your privacy matters | Sync for true zero knowledge cloud storage.

I wouldn't believe any privacy matter headlines, Google have done it for years but it was nothing but bollocks.

Cloud services have to comply with the law on copyright infringement, etc... So they must scan the content one way or another to detect copyrighted material and follow through with copyright claims and the alike.

So pretty much no matter what service you use, you can bet that your content is going to be checked by at-least something automated. Some services may lie and not even truly remove the data when you "delete" it, Google have proven to be very good with this with their Google Drive - people who "take out" the data have found files they "deleted" years ago.

IMO all these services are similar deep down.