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To protect family photos and files from ransomware, keep multiple copies, including one that an infected device cannot readily reach, and make sure you can restore them. An external drive that stays plugged in or a cloud folder that only synchronizes files may be vulnerable along with your computer.
Start by finding every copy of the files you care about
List the devices and places where family photos and important documents live: computers, phones, tablets, memory cards, and any storage folders or drives. Include files outside default photo and document folders, such as scanned records, creative projects, and downloads you would not want to lose.
Prioritize irreplaceable files and decide how often to copy them. A backup that is months out of date may leave recent photos and documents unprotected, so set a repeatable routine that matches how often your family creates or changes important files.
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Keep a backup copy ransomware cannot readily reach
Use an external drive, then disconnect it
Copy your important files to an external hard drive, then disconnect the drive when the backup is complete and store it safely. If the drive remains connected to an infected computer, ransomware may be able to reach, encrypt, or delete its contents. CISA advises disconnecting external drives when they are not actively being used for backup: CISA guidance on protecting data stored on devices.
#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Reconnect the drive for the next backup, update the copy, and disconnect it again. This is a practical household routine, not a guarantee: the drive can still be lost, damaged, or exposed while connected. Treat it as one part of a broader backup plan.
Consider a cloud copy, but check how recovery works
A cloud service can provide another copy, but cloud synchronization is not automatically an independent backup. Synchronization can carry changes—including encrypted files—to the cloud. CISA’s September 2023 #StopRansomware Guide, developed through the Joint Ransomware Task Force, warns: “Automated cloud backups may not be sufficient because if local files are encrypted by an attacker, these files will be synced to the cloud, possibly overwriting unaffected data.”
Rank #2
- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Before relying on a provider, check whether it retains prior versions or offers another way to recover files that were encrypted or overwritten, how long those versions remain available, and how you would restore them. Features and retention terms vary, so confirm the details directly with the provider rather than assuming every cloud service protects older copies in the same way.
Choose copies by how ransomware could reach them
| Consideration | External drive | Cloud service |
|---|---|---|
| Can ransomware reach the copy from an affected device? | It may be reachable while connected; disconnect it after backing up. | Synchronization may send encrypted changes to the cloud. |
| Can you recover an older clean version? | Depends on how you maintain the drive’s copies. | Check whether the provider retains recoverable versions and for how long. |
| How do you restore files? | Reconnect the drive and copy the needed files to a clean device or location. | Follow the provider’s recovery process; verify it before you need it. |
| How do you protect access? | Keep the drive disconnected and stored safely between backups. | Protect the account with a strong, unique password and multifactor authentication where available. |
| How often is the copy updated? | Update it on a regular schedule and after important additions. | Check the service’s backup or sync behavior and make sure it covers the files you need. |
These are decision points, not a product ranking. Using both a disconnected drive and a cloud copy can reduce reliance on a single recovery path, but neither removes the need to check that files can be restored.
Rank #3
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Protect the accounts that control your backups
Use a strong, unique password for accounts that can access or delete backup copies, and enable multifactor authentication where available. An account compromise can put cloud-stored files at risk even if the home computer is not the only copy. Account protections complement backups; they do not replace them.
Test that you can restore files
A backup is only useful if its files are intact and you know how to retrieve them. CISA’s organizational guidance recommends testing backup availability and integrity. For a household check, periodically restore a small set of files to a separate location, then open them to confirm they work. Try files from different folders or devices so the test checks more than one path.
Rank #4
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
For a cloud copy, practice the provider’s recovery process and confirm that any prior-version feature you rely on is usable. For an external drive, test that it can be read and that copied photos and documents open. This simple check can reveal missing folders or an unfamiliar restore process before you need a recovery.
If ransomware may have affected a device
Do not connect backup media to a device you suspect is infected, and do not begin restoring files onto it. First isolate the affected device and establish that it is clean before using backup media or restoring data. CISA’s ransomware guidance is aimed largely at organizations, so household users should consult current official help for incident-specific steps rather than treating this as a complete response procedure.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- [Upgraded Version] - This external hard drive features a mirrored logo stripe combined with a striped anti-slip design, and the rounded corners of the casing make it easier to grip. The stripes also have a heat dissipation function, ensuring stable and fast data transfer.
- 【Ultra-thin and quiet】 - The motherboard adopts JMicron 578 noise-free solution, giving you a quiet working environment. Lightweight and portable size designed to fit in your pocket for easy portability.
- 【Ultra-Fast Data Transfers】 - Pairing this external hard drive with JMicron 578 solution USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 interfaces enables blazing-fast data transfer. It boasts theoretical read speeds of up to 125MB/s and write speeds of up to 103MB/s.
- 【Plug and Play】 - With no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use.The hard disk chip is wrapped with an aluminum anti-interference layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data.
- 【What You Get】 - 1 x Portable Hard Drive, 1 x USB 3.0 Cable, 1 x User Manual, Gift-type shell packaging ,Three-year manufacturer's warranty and free technical support services.
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